{"id":7408,"date":"2024-11-27T09:12:28","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T09:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/?p=7408"},"modified":"2026-01-23T02:23:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:23:02","slug":"women-creating-wealth-graduation-a-celebration-of-resilience-and-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/gmt\/featured\/women-creating-wealth-graduation-a-celebration-of-resilience-and-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Women Creating Wealth Graduation \u2013 A Celebration of Resilience and Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

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On 25 November 2024, the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust, hosted the Women Creating Wealth programme graduation ceremony<\/strong>\u00a0at the Maslow Hotel in Rivonia, Sandton. This landmark event celebrated the success of 112 remarkable women entrepreneurs who completed the transformative Women Creating Wealth (WCW) enterprise development programme.<\/p>\n

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The Women Creating Wealth programme is designed to equip women with the skills, networks, and resources to build thriving businesses. Since its inception, the programme has had a profound impact on participants\u2019 entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust\u2019s (GMT) Director of Programmes, Shiphra Chisha, followed by an engaging recap of the WCW programme\u2019s highlights presented by Korkor Cudjoe, Senior Entrepreneurship Manager at GMT. In her address, Korkor reflected on the uniqueness of the programme: The Women Creating Wealth program is so proud of the value we\u2019ve been able to create for the 112 women graduating today. Each of you represents resilience, growth, and the potential to transform your communities through entrepreneurship.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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The highlight of the ceremony was a\u00a0panel discussion\u00a0moderated by\u00a0Sinoneliso Xaba, WCW Country Manager for South Africa. Titled\u00a0The Journey of Building Thriving Businesses Through Effective Interventions,<\/em>\u00a0the session featured entrepreneurs and coaches, including\u00a0Phumelele Ndumo\u00a0and\u00a0Candace-Claire Paul, who shared insights into navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n

One graduate spoke candidly about the challenges she overcame:\u00a0“In the first six months of this programme, I had to sit down with my team and restructure everything. The tools and confidence I gained allowed us to shift our focus, streamline processes, and grow sustainably. Now, I can see the long-term vision clearly.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Theo Sowa, Interim CEO of GMT, delivered a powerful address emphasizing the transformative potential of women entrepreneurs. She reflected on the importance of their leadership not just for individual success but for the collective progress of Africa\u2019s communities and economies. “When women have access to financial resources, those resources ripple out to families, communities, and entire nations. This is not just about creating wealth\u2014it\u2019s about changing the narrative for generations to come,”\u00a0she stated.<\/p>\n

Building on this, Theo challenged the graduates to think beyond personal success:<\/p>\n

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“As graduates of this program, you carry with you not just skills and knowledge, but the responsibility to reshape narratives. Remember the African tradition of collective giving and action. As you grow your wealth, think about the impact you can create for others. You have the ability to redefine how women entrepreneurs are perceived, not just in Africa but globally. I urge you to believe in your vision, collaborate with others, and use your platforms to create lasting change.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Her remarks underscored the core values of the WCW program\u2014resilience, collaboration, and the shared mission to uplift entire communities through the success of women-led businesses.<\/p>\n

During her address,\u00a0Ayanda Mafuleka, CEO of FASSET, encouraged the graduates and attendees to celebrate one another and the progress made in driving women\u2019s equality and financial empowerment: “Let us celebrate each other as women for the incredible journeys we have taken, battles we\u2019ve fought, and the achievements we have made in the quest for women equality and financial freedom. Let us stand in humanity and acknowledge that all of us have a direct or indirect role in seeing this vision come to life.”<\/em><\/p>\n

The ceremony celebrated excellence through\u00a0awards and certificates\u00a0presented to standout graduates. Among them were\u00a0Caroline Njuguna, CEO of Becandsure Financial Services, and\u00a0Nthabiseng Teffo, CEO of Well Maid, who credited the WCW program for equipping them with the tools to scale their businesses and impact their communities.<\/p>\n

One graduate expressed gratitude for the program\u2019s holistic support:\u00a0“This wasn\u2019t just technical training\u2014it was transformational. The program gave us confidence, tools, and networks to rethink our businesses and scale them effectively.”<\/em><\/p>\n

The WCW graduation marked both an end and a new beginning for its graduates. As\u00a0Korkor Cudjoe\u00a0aptly stated,\u00a0“This graduation is not the end\u2014it\u2019s the beginning of your journey to make an even greater impact as women entrepreneurs. <\/em><\/p>\n

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