By Shumirai Chimombe
The first round of the Standard Bank EmpowHER regional conference series kicked off in earnest on 25 June in Cape Town. It was a full house at the Radisson Hotel on the Waterfront, with women entrepreneurs ready to learn and, very importantly, to network with like-minded business owners, make connections with new friends, contacts and potential partners and clients.
In her keynote address, Leigh-Anne de Witt from Standard Bank said that the day was more than business but really about possibilities, courage and connection. And more importantly it was about recognising that everybody in the room is building something. Some are building businesses, some are building careers, some are building communities.
“And when I look around the room and hear the buzz and the energy, I really feel very optimistic about entrepreneurship.
“We are seeing a lot more women stepping forward with confidence, ambition and purpose. We see women really claiming their space as founders, innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders and we need to celebrate that, and today we are celebrating what the women in our communities are doing.”
Leigh-Anne indicated that in business, growth is not a final destination but it’s a continuous journey of learning, adapting and opening yourself up to new possibilities.
“Today, whether you are running a start-up, or scaling an established business, or building a corporate career, there’s no final destination – growth is a journey.
“Every challenge becomes a lesson, every challenge adds to your book of knowledge, and every step forward just opens up something that you have never seen before. And entrepreneurship is no different. Entrepreneurs in this room know that success is never about failing. It’s about never stopping; it’s about getting up,dusting yourself off, and taking the learnings into the next step. Resilience is definitely one of the strong characteristics of successful women entrepreneurs.”
“As women the most important and powerful thing we can do for us is to create the spaces where women connect. If we are standing in the circle, to open up that space and let somebody in. Don’t keep the circle closed because you might also be leaving the opportunity to grow and learn and connect with somebody that could be a future resource for you. The relationship you build today could also become your next client, your next supplier, your next business partner, or simply the person that cheers for you and encourages you to keep going when things become difficult.
“Networking is often spoken about as a business tool, but it’s so much more. It’s a good growth opportunity, it builds resilience and it tells you that you are not alone out there. You are not the only one navigating the challenges you face and together you can build something meaningful.”
Ending her address she urged the entrepreneurs to “stay curious, stay connected, stay excited about what you are building. The conversations that you have with people today will be shaping your next chapter of your journey. Plant the seeds, keep growing, learning, and most importantly, don’t underestimate the impact that you can have when ambition is matched with action.”
Some feedback from some of the conference participants:
Lizelle Bailey – BaileyZA Exclusive Tours and Travels: “This experience has been very eye-opening for me. The part that drew me the most was about the public speaking from Verity Price’s talk, because I am a shy person and I run a tourism business. Networking is hard work for me and I have to concentrate on what I have to say and to have the courage and confidence to say it out loud. The networking session was also great because I met some good service providers that could contribute to my business, and there were some great products on the showcase counters that I could also use in my business.”
Kiki Sepuru – Afrique360 Solutions: “The key take-aways for me were building strong networks, speaking with confidence, trying even if you are failing, embracing innovation, and just starting and being confident because you know what you are doing and no-one else knows what you are doing except yourself. And one of the keynote speakers spoke about the four Fs [“Your best stories lie in your failures, your flaws, your frustrations and your firsts” – Verity Price] .This stood out for me and it made me reflect that no-one is perfect but you need to just keep trying. Another speaker Tarynne Keown Rajh spoke about how she made her vision about her child and it reminded me about the ‘why’. I have a background in IT and engineering and I recently left corporate after working for a large firm for 9 years. My business focuses on corporate and industrial cleaning as well as property management services. But I have linked my passion for IT and engineering to my businesses, so I continue to do what I love and add innovation to industrial and corporate cleaning.”
Mieke Janse van Rensburg – Africa Biomass Company (ABC) : “I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for hosting such an incredible Standard Bank Top Women™️ EmpowHER Regional Series event in Cape Town. I absolutely loved every moment of it. The speakers, the conversations, and the opportunity to connect with so many inspiring women made it a truly memorable experience.
A few messages that have really stayed with me are:
• “Women bring heart to business.”
• “Get into that circle.” – Leigh-Anne de Witt
• “Your words create your world.”
• “You need to be okay with things not being okay.” – Verity Price
I left feeling inspired, energised, and excited about the future of leadership and HR.
KZN is next
The EmpowHER journey now heads to KwaZulu-Natal on 28 July 2026 for another unforgettable day of inspiration, practical insights, powerful networking, and opportunities to connect with women who are shaping the future of business.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, professional, or aspiring leader, EmpowHER KZN is your opportunity to be part of a community that champions growth, collaboration, and empowerment.
Book your ticket here
Relive the highlights from an unforgettable day and browse the EmpowHER Cape Town gallery here