2. FORMAT OF PRESENTATION
Background
OVERVIEW: Concept; National & Provincial Consultation
Establishment of SAWEN
Policy; Mission & Vision
Objectives
Basket of Services
Unique Selling Point
Corporate Image of SAWEN
Current Status and Way Forward

3. ECONOMIC ISSUES FACED BY WOMEN
SAWEN
Gender Discrimination
Low representation In Business
Business Issues not in the Economic Mainstream
Economic Policies & Programmes not Gender Sensitive
Poor access to various Economic Support & Resources
High Interest low Response

4. ESTABLISHING SAWEN Namibian Women’s Trade Fair –2000
Experience of DTI officials and those working with women generally.
Reports confirming the need (NTSIKA & APDF).
Proposal from the Gender Unit
Presentation to DTI senior Management –Endorsement
1st Consultative Workshop – July 2001
DTI Smme Strategy – Provincial Road Shows
Recruitment of Strategic Partners
National Launch – June 2002

5. WHAT SAWEN IS SAWEN A business NETWORKING organization
Business Exchange FORUM
An organised LINK to business opportunities
Information CENTRE about women entrepreneurship

6. MISSION STATEMENT
The South African Women Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN) is a national network organisation that facilitates and monitors the socio-economic advancement of women entrepreneurs and their positive impact on the country’s economy. SAWEN supports the success and growth of women-owned and managed enterprises (SMMES) by ensuring their access to relevant
Business information and advice
Business opportunities
Appropriate skills and technology
Mentorship and counselling
Financial advice
Decision and policy makers

7. VISION
To establish a national forum for South African Women Entrepreneurs to support and strengthen women’s enterprises to engage each other and their strategic business partners, both locally and internationally.

8. CORPORATE IMAGE – LOGO & SLOGAN
The collective power is embodied in the blue oval, cradled by the energy and success of the network and its members (symbolised by the golden “arms”).
The golden “arms” signify strength, growth and prosperity in an ever-changing South Africa. Their shape and placement is indicative of movement and growth…a circle of energy!
“YOUR LINK TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES “

9. OBJECTIVES Main Objective
To mobilise South African women entrepreneurs together to network, share and access information, skills and expertise with each other and other strategic business partners.
Other Objectives
Identify and recruit SMMEs
Create and co-ordinate a database
Encourage women to participate
Establish national strategic partnerships;
Establish international relationships.
Provide support;
Identify priority areas and mechanisms
Identify research issues.

10. BASKET OF SERVICES Reflect needs and best practice
Programmes would be monitored and evaluated
SAWEN’s members to provide:
Business information and advice in;
Finance
Taxes
Business models and registration
Trade between countries – information on customs and excise
Tendering procedures and sources
Company legislation and empowerment policy
DTI & other enterprise development programs

11. BASKET OF SERVICES cont’d
Business counselling
Qualified counsellors will address gender specific issues
Economic rights and Independence
Domestic violence
Aids
Marriage contracts and legal issues
Assertiveness
Mentoring
Trained mentors

12. BASKET OF SERVICES cont’d
Training and Capacity Building
Lobbying & Advocacy
Access to Information and Opportunities

13. BASKET OF SERVICES cont’d
SAWEN will offer the following revenue generating services to the market:
Retailing information and research
The sale of databases
Development & gender consulting
Project and study tour management
Event management
Investment brokerage and training

14. UNIQUE SELLING POINT Network and reach all women entrepreneurs;
Eight factors make SAWEN a unique organization:
Network and reach all women entrepreneurs;
Capacity to mobilize
Credibility and information management capacity
Ability to measure the socio-economic impact
Access to business information and opportunities
Lobbying and advocacy;
Pioneering of a gender balanced approach

15. POST LAUNCH PROCESS
PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATION – Kwa-Zulu Natal; Gauteng; Western Cape; Eastern-Cape; Northern Cape; North West; Mpumalanga; and Limpopo.
Hosting of Regional Workshop
Membership Recruitment Drive and Representatives
End of the year workshop
Launching of Provincial Chapters
Host of the 1st Official Annual General Meeting of SAWEN.