BUSINESS PLEDGE SIGNED BY DURBAN WOMEN

The City of Durban launched a Women Empowerment Programme to raise the profile of women in business to highlight the needs and challenges faced by members of the "fairer sex" in their business operations, said eThekwini Municipality Mayor in Durban today.

This undertaking was contained in the message of support from Mayor Obed Mlaba that was read during the two-day 'eThekwini Women in Business' conference held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

"I implore all the participants to explore all avenues that will fast-track and enhance the opportunities of more and more women to run sound and profitable business enterprises.
We are fully cognisant of the important role women were playing in the SMMEs within the city's bustling economy, hence, we support their growth and sustainability.

We are confident this Women in Business symposium will serve as an excellent platform to profile women in business, create opportunities, provide information on business support, networking, finance and sharing of experiences to aspire and celebrate women success" said Mlaba.

He also called upon eThekwini women to use their business acumen and skills to contribute to the 'Durban Host City' status for the succesful hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup soccer finals.

eThekwini Municipality's Head of Business Support and Markets Unit Phillip Sithole said their cluster was fully supportive of women empowerment and gender equity programmes. He also committed, himself, to make every effort to ensure women participation in economic developmental initiatives was achieved within the city of Durban and throughout the municipality.

"This year we're taking the Women in Business programme into another level as we've formed partnership with the corporate sector, and have been joined by ABSA, Productivity SA, SAIBL and Deloite.
In hosting the Women in Business conference on the eve of the Women's Month (August), we aim to celebrate, recognise and empower the heroines who are making it in business despite the challenges posed by the global economic meltdown.
Qhamani Makhosikazi, we honour you, therefore, we inspire you to succeed in your enterprises as we, eThekwini Municipality, celebrate the success of women" noted Sithole.

A Declaration by eThekwini Women in Business was unveiled, and it reads;
"I hereby declare, as a Woman in Business, that I would succeed in all my business ventures and create for myself and others using my experience and skills to reach out to my fellow sisters and aid them to evolve into their true potential through mutual respect, kindness and understanding.

I hereby pledge to continously apply the Spirit of Ubuntu in business".