As we celebrate Women’s Day in South Africa, we at Xena, home to a thriving female founder network of over 20,000 dynamic fempreneurs, can’t help but reflect on the legacy of the brave women who led the charge for equality and liberation. Today, our community aims to mirror the strength and resilience of the 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on August 9th, 1956, setting the stage for the transformative power of women unified for a cause.
The History and Significance of Women’s Day
Led by members of the Federation of South African Women (FSAW), an organisation founded in 1954 by pioneering women like Amina Cachalia, Lillian Ngoyi, Ray Simons, and Helen Joseph, National Women’s Day reminds us of the strong women that stood together to demand the enfranchisement of all races, equal employment opportunities, equal pay for equal work, and the removal of laws and customs that denied women such equality. Now, nearly 70 years later, it is as if the spirit of these women can still be felt…
You see, the spirit of femininity (let alone South African women) is a force to be reckoned with. It is an energy that combines resilience, wisdom, and creativity, embodying a formidable strength born out of both joy and pain, victory and struggle.
It is not just about individual growth, but about communal growth. It’s about lifting while climbing, nurturing while leading, and creating opportunities not only for oneself but for others as well. It celebrates the power of collaboration over competition, and embodies the essence of shared success.
And with the current state of our beloved South Africa and the world, it is a spirit that is much needed.
Continuing the Fight
The landscape for women in South Africa has drastically changed for the better since 1956, however it is not without its challenges.
A recent review of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals remarked on an upward trend towards gender equality. Currently 46% of National Assembly members are women. In the public service, women make up 62% of the workforce, and 44% of senior management posts are filled by women.
However, this progression must be seen in the context of the barriers that women continue to face. High rates of unemployment, gender-based violence, and unequal economic opportunities are battles that women are still fighting today.
A shocking and uncomfortable truth, it is estimated that 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime, with around only 14% of perpetrators typically convicted. Around two-fifths of South African children currently grow up in single-parent homes that generally rests on the responsibility of single mothers to a significantly greater degree than on fathers. And 5x more women are killed by intimate partners in this country than the global average.
Building the Xena Network
While acknowledging the enduring challenges, it is through initiatives like the Xena Network that we strive to make a meaningful contribution in this ongoing struggle. Undeniably, the issues facing South African women are profound and multifaceted, and while Xena may not overcome these issues alone, we are steadfast in our commitment to play our part by empowering women through entrepreneurship.
We’re proud to announce that the Xena Network has blossomed from a small group of 5,000 female founders this time last year to a powerful network of more than 20,000 today! Our online network offers a safe, supportive platform where women are encouraged to share ideas, learn from one another, and find the resources necessary to build and scale successful businesses.
By empowering women to become financially independent, we can contribute to breaking the chains of economic disenfranchisement and help create a society where women are not just surviving, but thriving.
This is also true for our recent XenaCon 2023 event. The hybrid event saw the participation of over 500 female founders from all over South Africa come together for a day of learning, networking, and celebrating the spirit of South African women.
Such milestones in our journey not only propel us forward but remind us of the strength that lies within a united community.
Together, we are building a legacy that future generations of female founders can be proud of, a legacy built on the foundation of unity, strength, resilience, and shared success. If you’re looking to connect, learn and grow alongside these resilient women, consider signing up to our free community today!
