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By Dintshe Moagi
When I first dipped my toes into business back in 2016, I truly didn’t know what I was signing up for. Excitement? Absolutely. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also a bit terrified.The hardest part? I was flying blind. Sure, I tried to be proactive, but those early days were a whirlwind. Most nights, I’d lie awake, wondering where on earth to turn for support.
Looking back, I realise I wasn’t the only one muddling through. So many women jump in the way I did: with big dreams and a stubborn streak, but not much of a roadmap. I wish someone had handed me a guidebook, or at least a few friendly pointers, when I got started.
At a time when economic resilience, innovation, and sustainability are more important than ever, prioritising women within Enterprise Supplier Development is no longer just a good thing to do. It is necessary. Enterprise Supplier Development, or ESD, gets mentioned all the time as the golden ticket for South Africa’s economy. On paper it sounds perfect. In boardrooms, even better. But here’s the reality: most women-led businesses aren’t born from some polished strategy. More often, it’s because we spot a problem in our neighbourhood or in our own homes and decide,“I’ll do something about it.” That’s why ESD still has a way to go, especially for women like me.
Some hurdles are obvious; others just gnaw at you quietly. So, even though women-owned businesses are resilient and innovative, many of us still find ourselves operating on the edges of formal value chains rather than being fully integrated into them.
This is where ESD programmes, like the Isivande Women’s Fund, can make a real difference.
It is a South African government initiative aimed at accelerating women’s economic empowerment by providing affordable, usable, and responsive finance. Managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) through IDF Managers, it offers loans ranging from R30,000 to R2 million+ for expanding, formally registered enterprises that are at least 50%+1 share owned/managed by women
When these interventions are designed with intention, they do more than just provide funding.They open doors.They create pathways into supply chains.They offer the kind of support that helps businesses not only survive, but truly grow. Also, that growth does not stop with the business itself.
It’s hard to put into words what happens when a woman’s business takes off. Success doesn’t just stop with us, it spills over. Maybe it’s making sure our kids have what they need, lending a hand to a neighbour, or cheering on another woman. In so many places, especially rural areas, women quietly keep things running. When our businesses do well, everyone feels it.
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However, real inclusion goes beyond just these numbers.
Too often, ESD becomes about meeting targets instead of making an impact. It becomes about ticking boxes rather than building businesses.This is exactly where we need a shift. Supporting women-owned businesses must go beyond simply adding them to supplier lists. It must include mentorship, financial education, operational support, and access to the kind of information many of us did not have when we started. Without that foundation, inclusion remains surface-level.
If I’m honest, what still keeps me up at night is finding a steady market. Reliable work is gold. It lets you breathe, plan, maybe even hire someone to help. I wish more companies cared about real partnerships with women-owned businesses, not just ticking boxes for reports. If we worked together, I bet we’d all win. When a business knows that there is consistent demand, it can invest in itself. It can improve quality, expand operations, and create jobs.That is when ESD moves from being transactional to something much more meaningful.
Honestly, even just being paid on time can mean the difference between sinking and swimming. Beyond all this, changing how people see women-owned businesses still matters. In industries such as construction, mining, and manufacturing, women are often underestimated or overlooked. What we need are more stories, more visibility, and more places where our voices can truly be heard and our work recognised.
More than anything, representation matters.
Not just for recognition, but for inspiration.When women see other women building, leading, and succeeding, it shifts what feels possible.
At its heart, Enterprise Supplier Development has the potential to do something incredibly powerful. It can move women-owned businesses from the margins into the mainstream. It can turn support into a real opportunity. It can also help build an economy that is not only more inclusive but also more sustainable for everyone.
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