Women business and entrepreneurship graduates celebrated by Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative
Empowering women for financial inclusion and equality is vital, especially in high-risk, disadvantaged communities like the Cape Flats. The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) recently celebrated 751 accomplished women graduates in a special ceremony, highlighting their potential as future business leaders.
The ceremony, which took place today at the Wittebome Civic Centre in Kenilworth, celebrated the outstanding achievements of this year’s previously unemployed women who enrolled in WPDI’s Women Livelihood initiative. This year, 786 were trained, 751 graduated with a Basic Level Certificate in Business and Entrepreneurship programme, and 537 were awarded an Intermediate Certificate.
Of the Intermediate Certificate graduates, 42 were awarded seed capital to support the growth and development of their small businesses.
They now join the 750 women from last year’s inaugural programme as well as the 42 women entrepreneurs who became small business owners in 2022 after launching their businesses with seed capital.
A worthy cause
This annual initiative is hosted by the WPDI in partnership with the L’Oréal Fund for Women, BNP Paribas and RCS. WPDI was founded by artist and philanthropist Forest Whitaker in 2012 and has been active in South Africa since 2019. The organisation facilitates a number of peace-building, outreach and educational programmes in several countries including Mexico, Uganda and South Africa.
Through the work that it enacts on the ground, WPDI aims to empower members of the community, with a focus on youths and women, promote broader objectives such as literacy and learning, contribute to upliftment and support income-generating projects.
Whitaker, accompanied by members of the global WPDI leadership team, was in attendance at this year’s ceremony. As he explained: “This year’s graduates applied themselves diligently and whole-heartedly to the learning programme. Their unyielding determination and drive to succeed is an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance.
“Every woman crossing the stage this year should take pride in her achievements. Drawing inspiration from numerous shining examples, we are confident these graduates will emerge as successful entrepreneurs and role models in their communities.”
The impact of local entrepreneurship
WPDI stands by its conviction that peace and economic development are strongly linked. The educational initiatives undertaken by the non-governmental organisation inject much-needed skills development training and education in communities that experience high levels of violence, crime and poverty.
This year’s cohort received the knowledge and skills training needed to operate their own small businesses. For many, entrepreneurship offers a way out of poverty and a means by which to support their families, fulfil their dreams and become self-supporting members of society.
The impact of such initiatives is far-reaching and makes a vital contribution to addressing broader issues such as youth unemployment and the need for more fair gender representation in South Africa’s business space. A survey conducted by WPDI found that 70% of former trainees found the programme generated a change in their lives, with over 50% going on to start their own business.
Offering his words of support was Regan Adams, CEO of RCS, who said the meaningful impact of initiatives such as those facilitated by WPDI will continue to demonstrate that education can change lives and livelihoods. As he concluded: “RCS is unwavering in its support for WPDI’s goals; we strongly believe in financial inclusion as the cornerstone of sustainable social development and our nation’s collective well-being.”
