“The challenges were categorized into gender, size of enterprises and general."
Target Market
SAWEN targets women who:
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Own and operate small, medium and large enterprises within the broader economy of South Africa. They must be self-employed and their companies must be registered with CIPC (formerly Cipro).
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Are engaged in income-generating activities that are not yet registered with CIPC but have aspirations to grow their enterprises and conform in the future.
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Have an interest in operating a business but lack the know-how to start.
Vision
SAWEN will represent and articulate the aspirations of all women entrepreneurs (existing and potential) that operate within the South African SMME sector.
Mission
SAWEN is a South African National Network that facilitates and monitors the socio-economic advancement of women entrepreneurs and their positive impact on the country's economy.
Objectives
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To provide a national vehicle that brings women and women's groups together to address the challenges faced by them.
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To lobby government, public and private institutions on such issues, but not limited to policy, legislation and/or proposed legislation affecting either directly and indirectly the trade and commerce activities of women entrepreneurs.
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To align SAWEN with other bodies or organisations with similar business interests at both national and international level, and to leverage the relationships arising out of these alignments for the benefit of its members.
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To facilitate access to business resources, information and opportunities for South African women entrepreneurs in a way that promotes their effective participation in the global economy.
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To profile and affirm women in business leadership positions in both public and private sectors.
Wellness Days
In August 2014, SAWEN Wellness Days were convened in all the provinces. Last year, the organisation piloted the SAWEN Wellness Day concept which the members found beneficial and requested that it be continued. The Chief Executive Officer of SAWEN, Ms Ruth Masokoane said the wellness programme was another platform for women to network in a different environment that is relaxed and at the same time encouraging them to be cautious of their health. The SAWEN Wellness Day focuses on the health of members through several activities basic health screening such as blood pressure and diabetes, along with HIV tests, pap smears in some provinces, health talks, aerobics and much more. This is aimed at creating awareness and promoting the importance of women leading healthy lifestyles as entrepreneurs to be able to operate successful and sustainable enterprises. This will provide an opportunity for women to receive the relevant information on healthcare systems and the available resources that will assist them as business people.
Chief Executive Officer of SAWEN Ruth Masokoane
Ruth Masokoane has spent almost half of her life assisting small business owners with access to finance, mentorship, training and advice. With all this experience, it's no surprise then that she heads up one of the foremost businesswomen's organisations in the country.
Masokoane was appointed acting chief executive officer of the South African Women's Entrepreneur Network (Sawen) in 2009 - seven years after the organisation was first established in 2002.
"At the time I was appointed, someone was needed to stabilise the organisation," says Masokoane.
She was recommended for the position by the department's then deputy minister, Elizabeth Thabethe.
Masokoane took up the challenge of putting proper governance structures in place to ensure that the organisation ran smoothly.
She stepped into the position armed with more than 20 years' experience in the small business sector built up through working at a non-profit developmental finance organisation aimed at small businesses.
Looking back, Masokoane says her biggest achievement thus far has been that she managed to increase budget allocations that Sawen received by 50% working together with the board and Thabethe.
She says without proper funding the organisation cannot run efficiently. Despite charging members a meager membership fee, this fee does not go towards the upkeep and running of the organisation.
Describing the Sawen members, Masokoane says the traits these businesswomen share are passion, dedication, hard work and courage.
Website:
http://www.sawen.org.za