In South Africa only 27% of women hold managerial positions according to the 2015 Global Women Entrepreneurs leaders score card. In an effort to even this out, GIBS has launched an initiative to empower female owned SMEs in the ICT field through support, mentorship and training.
Despite the vast economic and social transformation women have undergone in the preceding decades, there is still a significant gap between male and female entrepreneurship in South Africa. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report (GEM) of 2014 rates entrepreneurial activity for men at 7.72% compared to 6.29% for women according to
Gender Distribution of Early Stage Entrepreneurs (TEA) research done in South Africa.
The Innovator Trust is an enterprise development organisation which both offers and seizes opportunity for black female owned SMEs. The organisation has identified massive potential among South Africa’s small businesses, many of whom feature compelling and unique selling
propositions, as well as driven and passionate entrepreneurs at the helm. Through the innovative programmes offered, ICT focussed small businesses are enabled with the skills needed to work towards success.
The organisation aims to motivate and empower small black-owned businesses in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and thereby develop competent suppliers for the ICT sector as a whole. The organisation offers a tailored development programme.
In keeping with this the Innovator Trust is proud to announce their partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), as an exciting new activity in their mission to empower and support SME’s in the South African ICT sector.
Focusing particularly on black, female SMEs, this partnership will run in association with the GIBS Enterprise Development Academy, a centre of excellence for the growth of new and existing businesses.
The Innovator Trust has partnered with the Academy to recruit potential ICT Female SMEs, to participate in a 12 month Programme for Management Development. This is a scholarship opportunity which is specifically focused on business and general management. Successful
development of candidates is achieved through a number of support and skills activities, such as training, mentorship, networking and infrastructure support.
“The Innovator Trust is committed to creating an environment of opportunity for SMMEs and their employees, and we are thrilled to align ourselves with such an invaluable like-minded group as GIBS,” says Tashline Jooste, CEO at Innovator Trust. “We are presented with a
major opportunity to develop black female suppliers for the ICT sector as a whole. This partnership will play a critical role in our goal to create ICT leaders of the future and grow the sector,” she concludes.