MEDIA ADVISORY

NEF, The Presidency and KwaZulu-Natal Legislature to host Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme Workshop in Kokstad

Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – The National Empowerment Fund (NEF), in partnership with The Presidency, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Multiparty Women’s Caucus (MPWC), and the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality, will host a Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme (WEEP) Workshop on Tuesday, 19 August 2025 at the Kokstad Town Hall, Harry Gwala District.

The workshop forms part of the Presidential Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme (WEEP) — a national initiative dedicated to providing women entrepreneurs, start-up founders, and informal traders with the skills, resources, and networks they need to grow and formalise their businesses. Delivered through district-level partnerships with The Presidency, provincial legislatures, municipalities, and economic stakeholders, WEEP directly connects women to funding, market access, and compliance tools.

A full-day empowerment programme

The Kokstad workshop will offer an intensive programme featuring:

Practical Business Compliance Guidance from SARS, SEDA, SABS, Treasury, NHBRC, CIDB, DEL, KZNEDTEA, CIPC, NCC, and CIDP on registration, certification, and UIF/COID requirements.

Tender Readiness Training from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the B-BBEE Commission, and KZN Provincial Treasury on completing tender documents, understanding local content requirements, and positioning for public sector contracts.

Funding Access Sessions with the NEF, Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFA), Township and Rural Economic Programme (TREP), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), ABSA Group, Standard Bank, and Old Mutual on funding products, eligibility, and application processes.

Market Linkages through UN Women’s Buy from Women Platform, the Sanitary Dignity Programme from the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), and marketing opportunities from DALRRD and SheTrades.

Who should attend

• Registered and informal women-owned businesses
• Women entrepreneurs seeking funding, markets, and compliance guidance
• Start-up founders ready to formalise their operations

“This workshop is not just about information – it’s about action. Women will leave here knowing exactly how to apply for funding, how to win government tenders, and how to position their businesses for long-term growth. The NEF is committed to walking this journey with them,” says Ms Siziwe Zulu, the NEF’s Business Development Officer.

“When we empower women entrepreneurs, we strengthen communities and build the economy from the ground up. The WEEP workshops are designed to remove barriers, provide access to finance and markets, and give women the practical skills they need to thrive. We encourage every woman-owned business in Harry Gwala District and surrounding areas to seize this opportunity.” says Non CQ Madlopa, Chairperson of the Multiparty Women’s Caucus.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, 19 August 2025

Time: 08h00 – 14h00

Venue: Kokstad Town Hall, Greater Kokstad Local Municipality, Harry Gwala District, KwaZulu-Natal

View KZN programme

For registration and enquiries:

Bongani Tembe on 082 327 2600 / TembeB@kznleg.gov.za

Ends.

Note to editors

About WEEP – Bringing opportunities to women

The Presidential Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme (WEEP) is a national initiative designed to deliver practical skills, funding pathways, and market access directly to women-owned businesses. Through district-level workshops implemented with The Presidency, provincial offices, municipalities, and key economic stakeholders, WEEP bridges the gap between women entrepreneurs and the resources they need to succeed.

Previous WEEP activations nationwide have focused on finance readiness, compliance, market access, and network-building for women entrepreneurs. The Kokstad workshop will build on this momentum by offering actionable tools, expert guidance, and direct engagement with funding and procurement partners.

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