26/08/2026
For women entrepreneurs, building a sustainable business requires more than a good idea. Access to funding, markets, business support and the right networks can make a significant difference in turning that idea into a growing enterprise.
These issues were brought into focus at today's Startup Huddle Pretoria event, which brought together women entrepreneurs and institutions working to address some of the barriers they face in growing their businesses.
Representing the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Mmatlala Maredi highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in the mainstream economy, while encouraging entrepreneurs to keep learning, build strong networks and make use of the opportunities available to them.
Knowing that opportunities exist is only the beginning. Entrepreneurs also need to know where to find them and how to access them.
Ms Kate Masopha from SEDFA provided practical insight into the financial and non-financial support available to entrepreneurs, including the Township & Rural Entrepreneurial Programme, the Amavulandlela Funding Scheme for persons living with disabilities, the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme and the Youth Challenge Fund for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35.
Entrepreneurs interested in accessing these programmes were encouraged to visit their nearest SEDFA branch, where they can attend briefing sessions and receive one-on-one support with their applications before submission.
The session also highlighted the innovation and resilience of women already building solutions through entrepreneurship. TEDA success story and Founder and CEO of Kusta’s, Khuliswa Mazizi, shared her entrepreneurial journey, while Nondumiso Nkosi, Founder and Developer of HepaSure Diagnostic, spoke about her work developing an innovative tool to diagnose Hepatitis B.
TEDA was invited to participate in the Startup Huddle Pretoria programme, where Tebogo Mphephu shared how TEDA supports women-owned MSMEs, including through its Export Development offering. The programme assists qualifying businesses in preparing for export markets, becoming export-ready, and gaining exposure to potential international markets and opportunities that can support their expansion beyond the local economy.
The session also provided an opportunity for TEDA to introduce the upcoming Tshwane Women in Business Awards (TWIBA), which returns this October to celebrate women who are building businesses, creating innovative solutions, and contributing to economic growth in Tshwane.
More details about TWIBA will be shared on TEDA’s social media platforms.
