A project designed to provide technical business support to women-owned enterprises in the local transport sector has been launched by the United Nations (UN) Women’s South Africa Multi-Country Office (Samco), in partnership with the National Women Advancement Establishment (Nama).
The programme aims to stimulate equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs through affirmative procurement, investment and supply chain policies.
Sincpoint, a female black-owned consulting company, has been selected as the implementation arm of the project. According to its founder, Lebo Letsoalo, it will provide women-owned businesses with much-needed, tailor-made technical support, in addition to coaching and mentorship. “The support will focus on strengthening their capacity to sustain their businesses, access new opportunities, and grow their businesses,” said Letsoalo.
Sincpoint will work closely with local membership-based association The African Women in Supply Chain Association (Awisca) in the roll-out of the programme to ensure long-term support for the women.
Awisca has joined forces with a number of industry bodies, including universities, training providers, industry associations, organised business, as well as private companies.
“The planned project implementation is eight months, with 200 women being selected. The project is being implemented in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, with the aim of expanding this to other provinces over time.”