This Women’s Month, as we applaud progress, we must also confront the uncomfortable truths that threaten to slow this momentum
Every August South Africa pauses to celebrate Women’s Month, honouring the heroines of 1956, while spotlighting the real state of women’s empowerment today. This year the data is showing promise with women, especially black women, rising in leadership roles and entrepreneurship across the board.
However, as we applaud the progress, we must also confront the uncomfortable truths that threaten to slow this momentum.
Since 1994, South Africa has made strong strides in placing gender equity at the heart of our economic transformation. The government took the lead, opening up spaces for women to lead, but outside the public sector the playing field remains uneven. Many women still face structural hurdles, entrenched social biases, and systemic financial exclusion, especially in entrepreneurship.
I recently attended a South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) induction ceremony, where more than 200 newly qualified chartered accountants and associate general accountants were celebrated. It was an incredibly proud moment to see so many young women walk up to the stage to receive their certificates.
These women are not just future executives but the future captains of industry, poised to shape South Africa’s economic trajectory. Yet, behind their polished smiles often lie untold stories of burnout, pressure, toxic workplace cultures and decisions being made over their heads — even when they hold leadership titles. These silent battles are rarely expressed publicly, for fear of jeopardising reputations, careers, or hard-earned positions.
While the climb up the corporate ladder remains tough, many women are also charting new paths, especially in the digital economy. Social media platforms and online marketplaces are reshaping how young women access income and independence. Whether selling fashion, skincare, wellness products or educational tools, women are leveraging new-age channels to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs.
However, access to opportunity is still deeply unequal. A Mastercard report released in March 2025 showed that 44% of women entrepreneurs cited lack of funding and 41% lack of financial resources, as the top barriers they face. This inequality is exacerbated by the informal nature of many women-owned businesses, which limits their ability to scale.
These barriers are not just statistics; they’re real obstacles holding back talented, determined women from breaking through.
While the entrepreneurial ecosystem is evolving, much more is needed. Rural women, in particular, are left out of key conversations and networks. If we are truly serious about economic transformation, we must bring these women in from the margins.
We must move beyond symbolic gestures and start building real, structural support for women to thrive. Mentorship, funding, procurement opportunities and leadership pipelines are not luxuries but necessities
In addition to geographic exclusion, many women, especially in township areas, lack access to digital infrastructure and basics like broadband — which significantly limits their ability to participate in the digital economy. Bridging this connectivity gap must become a national priority.
Digital inclusion isn’t just about access to the internet; it’s about unlocking income-generating potential, education and scalable entrepreneurship. Women with access to mobile technology and affordable data are more likely to start businesses, connect with markets and improve their financial resilience.
We also need to rethink how we define and support entrepreneurship in South Africa. Many women today are creating immeasurable value in informal or unconventional spaces — like running child-care services, managing spaza shops or offering freelance digital services. These contributions are often overlooked by mainstream economic metrics, yet they are central to community wellbeing and household stability.
Policymakers and funders must widen their lens to account for these forms of micro-enterprise and recognise that economic inclusion means meeting women where they are, not where the system or society expects them to be.
To avoid yet another “rise and fall” narrative, we need all hands on deck, including from the government, the private sector, civil society, academia and individuals. We must move beyond symbolic gestures and start building real, structural support for women to thrive. Mentorship, funding, procurement opportunities, and leadership pipelines are not luxuries but necessities.
As we celebrate Women’s Month, we must commit to more than remembering the past. We must act in service of the future and that means backing the women of 2025 the same way we honour the women of 1956.
I’m reminded of a lyric by Thandiswa Mazwai: “Ni zilibele uba nizalwa ngobani?” (“Have you forgotten where you come from?”) The struggles of those who came before us were not for symbolic inclusion. They were for lasting, meaningful change.
Let’s make sure their efforts were not in vain.
• Mtwentwe AGA(SA) is MD of Vantage Advisory and host of the SAICABiz Impact Podcast
