The fraction of women that are benefiting from women economic emancipation vehicles in the country is still limited for various reasons. One of the most common reasons for this is a lack of a strong platform where women in business can be gathered in order to harness the potential and successes of those who have made it for mutual benefit.
The South African government has over the last few years undertaken a range of initiatives to
promoteand support the economic empowerment of women. Such initiatives include holding
conferences, establishment of women networks, e.g. S A Women Entrepreneurs Network, S A
Women in Mining, S A Women in Construction, etc. The sad part is that very few of these have
impacted significantly on the economic empowerment of black businesswomen.
It is equally sad that while women in South Africa make up over half the business force,
their contribution has also not been adequately nurtured. Their activities is still
located in the areas of crafts, hawking, personal services and the retail sector. The creation of an enabling environment, coupled with a structured body that will be a voice for black businesswomen is of critical importance and an urgent matter, if black businesswomen are to benefit as an equally important community. The formation of BBWA, comes as an intervention at an opportuned time, when the country is rolling out the Accelerated & Shared Growth Initiative (ASGI-SA) which is driven by Dep. President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
It is with this background that the black business women pioneered the establishment of a Black Business Women's organisation to formalize the business activities of black women in general under a common umbrella tagged "Black Business Women's Association" so as to facilitate networking and access to business opportunities. Black Business Women's Association (BBWA) was formed in order to create a common rallying place for all previously disadvantaged women who are in business in a way that would embrace mutual learning and development.
