The path to a resilient economy is paved with the intentional dismantling of systemic barriers that have historically held women back. From tackling the gender pay gap to ensuring representation in senior leadership, the responsibility lies with corporate South Africa to lead this charge. This means creating a workplace culture where women are not only present but also have a voice that is valued and heard.
By prioritising initiatives that accelerate women’s roles in the economy and address challenges like poverty and inequality, companies are not just doing the right thing — they are making a strategic investment in a more prosperous and stable future for all.
Law as the cornerstone of economic resilience
According to Lucinda Hinxman, Head of Employment and Labour at CMS South Africa, the narrative around women’s economic role has evolved from a “goodwill” gesture to a legal and economic imperative – a shift that is a potent expression of the Women’s Day 2025 theme, “Building Resilient Economies for All.” True economic resilience”, she says, “is built on a solid foundation of rights and equitable opportunities.”
The conversation, states Hinxman, has needed to shift dramatically. “A decade ago, promoting women into leadership might have been seen as a corporate social responsibility initiative. Today, thanks to legislation like the Employment Equity Act, it’s a legal mandate and a strategic necessity. Companies are realising that moving beyond mere compliance to proactively building diverse leadership successions is not just the right thing to do—it is a key indicator of a resilient and future-facing business, built to take on today’s complex economic challenges.”
However, more can be done. Employers should be encouraged to put into place progressive workplace policies, directly linked to women’s ability to create, not only success for themselves, but generational success. “Policies around flexible work arrangements, fair maternity leave and pay, as well as equal pay provisions, are critical enablers of women’s financial stability and ability to remain in positions of leadership. By providing women with the stability and flexibility they need, these policies would empower them to meet all expectations placed on them, outside and within the workplace. This directly contributes to the economic resilience of their families for generations to come, creating a ripple effect that strengthens the entire nation,” says Hinxman.
“The legal system’s role in this transformation is vital, particularly for women who are creating their own opportunities outside of traditional corporate structures. As more women start their own businesses,” she adds, “the law must adapt to protect their interests. The legal system is a crucial partner that needs to be used to provide the necessary protection for these entrepreneurs to build their own economic resilience.”
“The new resilience South African women are building isn’t just a matter of personal grit. It’s a structured and sustained effort supported by a framework of rights, protections, and equitable opportunities. For businesses and policymakers, labour law should not be seen as a hurdle but as the essential architecture required to support the powerful and transformative contributions of South African women,” concludes Hinxman.
Earning and upskilling opportunities
For organisations such as Sweepsouth, profit and impact are equally vital. As Lourandi Kriel, CEO of Sweepsouth explains: it’s not enough for tech platforms to simply facilitate transactions; it must actively work to uplift the lives of its users.
“In practice, this means consistently striving to improve working conditions and compensation, educating our users and innovating to create more opportunities to earn,” says Kriel.. “In 2024, we saw a modest 5% increase in median earnings for SweepStars, and our platform continues to contribute to higher earnings for those who’ve used it compared to those who have never joined. We’ve actively raised minimum platform pricing and encouraged customers to contribute more — resulting in SweepStar earnings being more than 50% above minimum wage.”
For Sweepsouth, building a legacy means investing in people’s growth and well-being and doing this effectively starts with understanding the users on your platform. “A strong 85% of domestic workers we’ve interviewed want to further their education, which drives their continued use of the platform. This kind of rich insight into users means we can identify and provide opportunities for upskilling and training that will equip domestic workers with the skills to leverage technology for their own ambitions and career advancement. Partnerships with organisations that share our values also yield worker discounts and benefits that help to reduce the costs of living and transportation,” continues Kriel.
Kriel believes that for businesses to truly build a legacy in South Africa it’s crucial to understand user and customer behaviour and the challenges they face. “This requires leaders to go beyond mere rhetoric and embrace tangible solutions for social empowerment. This includes championing fair compensation, and advocating for robust enforcement of labour laws, creating supportive work environments, providing accessible education and training opportunities, and actively working towards diversity and challenging systemic barriers – particularly for those who’ve faced historic discrimination,” concludes Kriel.
Investing in women’s growth and leadership
To build truly resilient economies, businesses must move beyond simply including women and actively invest in their growth and leadership, says Ursula Fear, Senior Talent Program Manager at Salesforce. This commitment creates a powerful ripple effect, uplifting families and communities and ultimately driving broader economic progress.
“One key strategy is for companies to collaborate to train women in specialised skills”. Fear points out that the power of working together far exceeds the impact of individual efforts by organisations. For example, this month she adds, “Salesforce partnered with Capitec and Absa to train 400 women in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills from different universities and schools across South Africa. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our shared mission to create opportunities and open doors for women in Africa’s tech sector.” Fear believes this kind of collaboration is a vital phase in a different approach to investing in women’s growth.
“Tackling the digital skills gap is also critical for empowering women. By equipping graduates with specialised training in high-demand fields like Salesforce Administration, companies can help women secure employment in the rapidly growing digital workforce. As organisations increasingly rely on data-driven solutions, the demand for these skills continues to rise.”
Fear concludes that supporting women isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a strategic investment in a more prosperous and equitable future. She emphasises the need to raise awareness about the critical role of maths and science while inspiring young women through exposure to role models. By introducing the fundamentals of STEM, businesses can drive meaningful impact and create a lasting legacy of digital transformation.
Financial empowerment through knowledge
“Companies can promote women’s economic growth by providing clear, jargon-free investment education, transparent low-fee products, and tools that help women confidently assess risk,” says Caroline Naylor-Renn, Chief Operating Officer at 10X Investments.
“Our research shows women are becoming more engaged in managing finances, and retirement plans, though many remain more cautious than men—potentially limiting long-term growth.
Encouraging women to “pay their future selves” through consistent saving, even in small amounts, builds independence and security.
When companies make investing simple and fair, and when women take the first step to invest in themselves, both individuals and the wider economy will benefit.”
Creating economic opportunity where it’s most needed
One company placing women at the centre of its mission is Relate Bracelets. Every bracelet is handmade by Gogos, township-based senior women who are not only caretakers of their families, but the glue that holds their communities together. Many are raising grandchildren and rely on the income from beading to supplement their state pensions. These bracelets are more than income, they represent dignity, stability, and purpose.
“At Relate, we’re building a movement and pioneering a new category called Social Retail, a model where every product equals impact. It’s proof that products can create dignified income with purpose, and impact with accountability,” says Dalit Shekel, CEO of Relate Bracelets.
Each bracelet supports a credible cause, creating a ripple effect of empowerment , from the woman who made it, to the charity it funds, to the customer who wears it. To date, Relate has sold over 4.5 million bracelets, raising more than R83 million for over 150 causes.
This Women’s Month, Relate is expanding its collaborations with women-led charities, retailers, and socially conscious brands. “The brands that are leading this movement are the ones earning deeper customer loyalty,” says Shekel. “Consumers want to align with businesses that stand for something. Relate offers a simple, tangible way to do that, through products that reflect the future of conscious commerce.”
