Women in South Africa are calling for practical solutions that will aid their businesses. According to them, the days of initiating policies without thorough implementation are over.
Speaking at a Women Economic forum ahead of the South African Investment Conference, in Johannesburg South Africa, the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the time is ripe for goods to be produced in their country rather than foreign investors always having to invest and control affairs.
The forum was to solicit the views of businesswomen in South Africa for input into the South African Investment Conference.
Issues raised bothered on access to funding, market, skills development, financial literacy, among others.
The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, said it is about time African governments rise up and promote the production of goods in their countries.
She emphasized that local producers must be supported to expand their businesses to help create employment.
Madam Nkoana-Mashabane called for action towards policies that will strengthen the capacities of women businesses.
The Secretary-General of the South African Congress of Non-Profit Organizations, Tintswalo Makhuble stressed the need for documentation of African recipes used in production.
She said Africa has the potential of being the food basket of the world.
A Youth Advocate with Yabasha Power, Nella Qata called for investment into youth-led businesses to create sustainable employment.
The South African Investment Conference is slated for the 5th to the 7th of November.
“The way out is a sustainable job creation and a sustainable enterprise development. We want government to invest young businesses and be able to empower them by giving them work to do and opportunities.”
Story by: Naa Dzagbley Ago
