Stories of change: Young women in local economic development

Young women entrepreneurs need support to feel confident and empowered so they can grasp opportunities to set up and develop new businesses. As well as general skills in business planning and management, women need to feel confident to embrace the digital world and be supported to use online and e-commerce and e-trading opportunities. 

Women who are already successful business women and entrepreneurs became mentors for young women hoping to start out in business through the Connecting the Dots project, offering their knowledge, experience and time to support young women who are take their own first steps in business.

“I did not know that when you are in business you should allocate money to pay yourself. Previously when I sold something I would just spend all the money. I learned that records are supposed to be kept.”

Zandile Dlamini, business woman, Lavumisa, Eswatini

These are the stories of some of the young women who participated in the Connecting the Dots project as part of the Young Women in Local Economic Development network.

Eswatini

Yes we cayenne
Minenhle Dlamini responded to the challenges of Covid-19 not by giving up but by using it as an opportunity to grow a new crop that had health benefits to help relieve some of the symptoms. Thanks to the learning from the Connecting the Dots project she has gone from being a small scale local vegetable supplier to a nationwide distributor of cayenne pepper and cayenne pepper products.
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New outlets for Nobuhle’s ochre
Badly affected by Covid-19 and water shortages, Nobuhle Maseko, was not able to maintain her customers and sales of fruit and vegetables. With the help of her Connecting the Dots mentor she has adapted her business to sell produce that will store better, learned how to calculate costs to ensure she focuses on what is profitable, and found new outlets through social media.
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Top to toe training
Nomvuselolo Malinga has learned a lot about managing and marketing her perfume and shoe business through the Connecting the Dots programme. She now has more confidence in developing her business and is forging ahead with a five-year plan for what she wants to achieve, including owning her own shoe shop.
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Cleaning up with new business skills
Zandile Dlamini was not able to continue her boiled egg business due to the impact of Covid-19, but not deterred she looked to set up a cleaning business instead. The business skills she learned from taking part in the Connecting the Dots project, not only helped her to better manage and plan her new business, but helped her develop as a business woman, with ambitious plans for the future.
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Zambia

A flair for fabrics
24-year old business woman Natasha Kaninga was inspired by her mentor from the Connecting the Dots project to set up a clothes design business using traditional fabrics. Despite an initial lack of confidence, with the entrepreneurial skills she has learned and the support of her family, Natasha’s business is taking off with orders flowing in as people see her work and have confidence in her designs.
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Better business skills brings self-reliance
Training in business management has given young entrepreneur Mercy Naulapwa from Mpulungu a new insight into how to run her bakery business, leading to increased profits and giving her a new self-reliance to support her family. Now she wants to apply her new skills to growing her business, increasing her customer base and providing employment for others.
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Climate-smart farming
Young entrepreneur and farmer, Marina Moyo Chibawe, was facing a number of challenges in trying to grow her business and adopt new technologies to cope with the effects of climate change. Having the chance to have a mentor, learn new skills, and get involved in a network with other young people in similar situations, she is now thriving as a small independent business owner and is on her way to achieve her goals.
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Fresh footing for freezit business
The seasonal nature of a business selling freezits meant that young businesswoman Evalyn Mubanga was looking for ideas to expand her business to make it more sustainable. Evelyn found that the support and knowledge she receive from the Connecting the Dots project gave her the ideas and impetus she needed to take things forward and make the most of any opportunities that come her way.
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