“SAWEN National Report” PRESENTED BY MS. MMABATHO MATIWANE

1. “SAWEN National Report” • PRESENTED BY • MS. MMABATHO MATIWANE

2. RATIONALE • SAWEN is a National networking organization of South African women entrepreneurs,with its head-quarters located in Gauteng. • It is a non-profit making organization funded by the dti and championed by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry

3. RATIONALE • Its constituency is aspiring and already existing women entrepreneurs from Urban, Suburban and Rural areas from all 9 provinces of SA. • Structural representation includes the AGM, appointment of the Board of Directors, who then appoint the National Secretariat responsible for the management and implementation of programmes (which is now the dti).

4. VISION To represent and articulate the aspirations of all women entrepreneurs(existing and potential) that operate within the South African SMME sector

5. MISSION • To facilitate and monitor the socio-economic advancement of women entrepreneurs and their positive impact on the country’s economy’ • BUSINESS VALUES • Gender Equity • Co-operation and Partnership • Social conscience • Integrity • Excellence

6. OBJECTIVES • To be a national vehicle that brings women together and address their challenges; • Lobbying and Advocating for a conducive policy environment that will enable the the establishment, growth and sustainability of their enterprises; • Alignment and leveraging of relationships with similar organizations both national and international

7. Cont’d • Facilitate access to business resources, information and opportunities for SA women • To promote effective global participation of women in the economy • To profile and affirm women in business leadership positions both in public and private sector

8. TARGET MARKET • Women owning and or managing small to medium registered enterprises • Women aspiring to own and manage small to medium size enterprises • Special attention is given to reach rural based SMME’s • MEMBERSHIP • Acquired through an affiliation fee • Mainly represented through provinces

9. SERVICES • Networking forums at provincial, national, regional and international business organizations • Lobbying and advocating, enabling and supportive policies as well as legislation • Entrepreneurial Management Training and advice • Mentoring and coaching programmes. • Financial Advice. • Facilitate access to key decision makers

10. Report • CORPORATE GOVERNANCE • Revised and finalized the official documents for SAWEN : • Constitution • Appointed an interim board of Directors • National Business Plan • Organization Publications (Brochure, Register Application forms, Posters, Banners and newsletter). • SAWEN Registered as a sec 21 Company • Article of Association. • Established provincial chapters • MOUwith Khula

11. Report • OPERATIONS • Secured an operational budget from the dti, which was used for programmes as well • Secured office space @ the dti for head office, whilst utilizing the GWE Unit ’s capacity and resources • Established provincial offices in some of the provinces • Recruited more than 1000 members owning small to medium enterprises country wide

12. Events • In order to increase the contribution of small enterprises to economy, and Increasing market access opportunities for and exports of South African goods and services in total and in specific priority sectors • SAWEN and the dti hosted SA & UK Workshop in 2 Provinces Gauteng & KZN • 5th July 2004 @ The Glenhove Conference Centre, JHB • 7th July 2004 @ The Royal Hotel, Durban, KZN

13. Events • SAWEN & JSE Seminaron the 16th September 2004 Hilton Hotel, Durban KZN • SAWEN the dti BEE Conference “Is the Balance Score Card Balancing” A review of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) with regards to Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) on the 23rd September 2004 The Castle Kyalami, JHB • SAWEN, the dti & Women’s Enterprising magazine Launch29th September 2004 @ The castleKyalami, JHB

14. Events • 2 – Day Legislative Overview Workshop on the 30th Sept 2004 – 1st Oct 2004 @ The dti Group Campus • Workshop identified and emphasizes the importance of supporting and strengthening South African business women’s structures. National Committee for Business Women’s Organization (NCBWO) was then formed based on women’s structures e.g. SAWIMA, SAWIC SAWEN,WICT etc.

15. Events • SAWEN Annual Conference & AGM Open Day Registration & call for Nominations of Board of Directors. • 1 November 2004 to date

16. OTHER PROJECTS • World Rural Women’s Day • Rewarding Excellence in Women Entrepreneurship

17. HIGHLIGHTS • Secured operational budget from DTI • Established provincial Chapters in all provinces with support from regional governments • Established partnerships with the JSE Securities Exchange, Africa Development Facility Project (APDF), the Black Management Forum (BMF), ABSA etc • Recruited more than 2000 potential members owning small to medium enterprises country wide,

18. HIGHLIGHTS • Registering SAWEN as section 21 company • Organized international educational and empowerment trade mission; • Ensured a gender sensitive BEE strategy • Facilitated business linkages between SA women and those from SWEDEN and the United Kingdom; • Facilitated business linkages amongst SA women entrepreneurs and sectors • Exposed more women to various local and international business forum

19. Self Sustaining measures include: • Donor Funds, Membership Fee, Programme Fee and Event Training Fee. • Strategic Partnerships with Government and Private Sector. • Parastatals through joint implementation of projects e.g.TWIB,UMSOBOMVU etc. • Private sector partnership mainly through joint implementation of programmes. • Provincial Partnerships with Government and SEC 21 companies.

20. THANK YOU