Tendani Mantshimuli believes women entrepreneurs hold the key to breaking the cycle of poverty across southern Africa. Mantshimuli, Head of Integrated Governance and Control for the Insurance Business Unit at Standard Bank Group South Africa, made this call at a recent Women’s Month thought-leadership event hosted by African Storyteller.
“When women earn and invest, they channel resources back into their communities and families, particularly their children’s education,” she said. “That is how poverty is broken.”
Barriers to women’s economic power
Mantshimuli pointed to systemic barriers that continue to limit women’s potential in business and leadership. “Women have limited access to resources to secure business financing. In many corporate settings, it is still easier to promote a man than a woman. Show up six months pregnant and see how quickly you are appointed to a position,” she noted.
She also linked gender-based violence, cultural norms and internalised oppression to the gender pay gap. “When someone is constantly oppressed, even their expectations of themselves are lowered. Women often do not ask for what they are worth; but we must. No one will speak for us better than we can.”
Corruption and weak business environments
Mantshimuli warned that structural barriers such as corruption, regulatory complexity and poor business environments further limit economic growth. “Think of the economy as a hosepipe watering a garden. For the water to reach its destination, it must flow smoothly. Corruption is like holes in the hosepipe. It drains value and leaves us less attractive to foreign direct investment,” she explained. She added that vulnerability to external shocks from global economic fluctuations to climate change, exposes weaknesses in the region’s economies. “This is a wake-up call for leadership. We cannot depend on a change in the White House to shape our fortunes. We must address our own vulnerabilities.”
Call to action
Mantshimuli urged business leaders and policymakers to recognise women entrepreneurs as catalysts for sustainable development. “They are proven to be the best investors back into the economy. Support them, build their confidence and give them access to resources. Only then will we unlock prosperity for the region.”
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