To celebrate, and shine a spotlight on, the achievements and businesses of female entrepreneurs and business owners in KZN’s agricultural and rural sectors, the KZN Agricultural Union, Kwanalu, has launched the Kwanalu Women in Business Directory aimed at growing markets, collaborations, networks and business opportunities in the province.
The campaign will feature a directory that will enable female entrepreneurs, small and large, rural and commercial, to gain valuable online exposure via Kwanalu’s website and online platforms, network with likeminded female entrepreneurs and grow their businesses.
“The Kwanalu Women in Business Directory will give insight into the areas women in the industry would like to learn from and be supported in. We hope to connect, collaborate and inspire all women through the wonderful entrepreneurial stories that exist throughout KZN,“ said Kwanalu CEO, Sandy La Marque.
The Kwanalu Women in Business Directory will be live on Kwanalu’s website from 1 August and will showcase and promote the businesses of female entrepreneurs and business owners who have filled in the online form creating profiles on the directory. These businesses will receive exposure via Kwanalu’s website traffic and through an active campaign on Kwanalu’s social media platforms. The objective of the campaign is to increase brand and business awareness of women in the rural and agricultural sector, and to drive potential customers to their businesses.
All participants in the campaign will be entered into a lucky draw to win R20 000 worth of prizes that include opportunities for personal and business growth. The winners will be announced at the end of the campaign across Kwanalu’s online platforms.
“We encourage female entrepreneurs and business owners to fill out the online form on our website to gain valuable exposure, extend networks, and as a special bonus, be entered into the competition. We want to find ways to maintain important conversations around the support of women and their vital contribution to their communities, micro-economies and the broader economy at large. We will continue to offer valuable tools and processes that will strengthen the rural and agricultural sectors,” says La Marque.
In October 2021, Kwanalu, launched the Women and Youth Rural Entrepreneurship (WYRE) initiative, aimed at addressing the chronic unemployment rate in the province by boosting micro-economies, owned by women and youths, through business and mindset training programmes within the rural and agricultural areas of KZN.
To date, WYRE has assisted 1 500 women and youth in KZN and inspiring success stories are beginning to emerge from the initiative.
“I am astounded by the resilience of rural women in their attempt to create a living for themselves in whichever way they can. I am pleased that the young people involved in this programme have demonstrated character and thankfulness for the opportunities provided. This Kwanalu WYRE programme provides the tools, mentorship, networks, resources to change mindsets and lives,” said WYRE Project Manager, Kathy Hurly.
To enter the Kwanalu Women in Business Directory Competition visit https://www.kwanalu.co.za/add-listing/.
