Women’s Economic Power
Women’s economic power is central to growth, said MEC Ketso Makume at the Breaking Bread – Food for Thought – Women in Business Breakfast. The event, held in the Free State, highlighted the vital role of women in driving inclusive economic development and building a united society.
A Gathering of Inspiration and Empowerment
The Breaking Bread – Food for Thought – Women in Business Breakfast took place on a vibrant Saturday in Mangaung, drawing together women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across South Africa. Powered by the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), the event formed part of the province’s broader celebrations for Women’s Month and the lead-up to the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) 2025. Attendees enjoyed a morning filled with motivational speeches, networking, and practical insights into leadership, longevity, and purpose in business and society.
MEC Ketso “Toto” Makume, the Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism, delivered a keynote address that resonated deeply with the audience. Speaking with passion and conviction, Makume emphasised the need for women to claim their rightful place in all spheres of life. She traced the event’s origins to discussions around reviving MACUFE, noting how limited time and resources during festival preparations led to the idea of a dedicated women’s summit. Collaborating with organiser Deno Kelly, the breakfast became a platform to celebrate and empower women.
Makume’s message was clear: women must be recognised as full human beings, not as subjects or objects. “It’s high time that women takes their place in the society. Whether it’s religious, whether it’s politics, whether it’s social, whether it’s business, it’s high time that we recognized women as human beings, not women as subjects, not women as things that we may use, not women as punching bags, not women as the individuals that we can do as we wish as men,” she stated. This call to action addressed deep-seated societal issues, including gender-based violence and outdated stereotypes that limit women’s potential.
Linking Women’s Unity to Economic Progress
A core theme of Makume’s speech was the link between women’s unity and economic growth. She pointed out that the seventh administration in the Free State has prioritised building an inclusive economy, which cannot succeed without women’s full participation. “You can’t have an economic growth by excluding women in the economic sphere,” Makume asserted. She urged women to unite, support one another, and challenge harmful narratives like “the women’s place is in the kitchen,” which she said has damaged women, men, and families alike.
Drawing on popular sayings, Makume encouraged a shift in mindset. She referenced the proverb, “if you teach a woman, you teach the nation, but if you teach a man, you teach an individual.” She proposed reimagining another common phrase: “behind every successful man, there’s a strong woman.” Instead, she suggested, “behind every successful woman there has to be a strong woman,” to foster mutual support among women. This unity, she argued, is key to accessing opportunities tailored for women and unlocking hidden talents that only women can nurture.
Makume’s vision extended to societal transformation. She appealed to women to work together to build the society they desire, one led by women for better outcomes in family, business, and community life. “If there’s an ideal about a better society, it’s a society that must be led by women. If there’s an ideal about better children, they can only come if we’ve got better women leading those children. If there’s an ideal about a better progressive and profitm business, it can only be coming from the women,” she declared. By extending hands to lift each other up, women can create a better life for all.
The MEC’s address aligned with ongoing provincial efforts to boost economic development. In recent months, Makume has been involved in initiatives like the Textile Manufacturing Cluster launch and youth cellphone repair training programmes, aimed at equipping young people with skills for entrepreneurship. These efforts underscore the Free State’s focus on inclusive growth, where women’s economic participation plays a pivotal role.
Highlights from Other Speakers and Activities
The breakfast featured a diverse lineup of speakers who reinforced themes of resilience, leadership, and purpose. MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Zanele Sifuba, opened the event by acknowledging the province’s recent hosting of international soccer matches, including Bafana Bafana’s victories, which boosted tourism and social cohesion. She linked these to MACUFE’s theme of “going back to our African heart and soul,” a festival that has drawn patrons nationwide for decades.
Sifuba described her department’s role as the “salt” that adds flavour to society, nourishing body, mind, and spirit through events. She quoted Joseph Stiglitz on sustainable development being impossible amid disunity and social ills, stressing the need for social cohesion to combat issues like gender oppression and femicide. The event’s theme of “driving longevity, leadership and purpose” aligned with breaking bread as a symbol of sharing and nurturing.
Other notable contributions included Shamaine Moola from Nedbank, who discussed financial resilience for women, emphasising tools for literacy, investments, and long-term prosperity. Dr Susie Adler shared her personal health journey, promoting a “healthy girl summer” and her clinic’s success in helping patients reverse chronic conditions through metabolic resets.
Amanda Mura represented Her Wine, a brand empowering women in the wine industry. She highlighted the collection’s five variants, each embodying women’s strength, and awards like the Growing Inclusivity Award. The brand’s bursary programme has graduated nine students, supporting farm workers’ children and fostering sustainable development.
Advocate Sinazo Mtshengu spoke on rewriting history in male-dominated fields like law, sharing her experiences as a young black woman in the profession. She founded the Sinazo We Can Movement to mentor aspiring legal practitioners from marginalised backgrounds.
Professor Mampho Modise, a mathematics education expert and former UCT vice-chancellor, focused on thriving longevity, distinguishing it from mere survival. She urged authenticity and self-investment for true impact.
Connie Ferguson, actress and producer, reflected on her journey from Generations to founding Ferguson Films. She discussed overcoming grief and setbacks, emphasising kindness, community support, and living with purpose.
Entertainment included performances by artists like Alicia Keys’ “Superwoman” and Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings,” adding emotional depth.
Connection to MACUFE 2025 and Broader Economic Goals
The breakfast served as a prelude to MACUFE 2025, set for 3 to 7 September in Bloemfontein. Revived after a hiatus, the festival promises 80% local talent, including emerging female and youth artists, alongside stars like Makhadzi and Vusi Nova. Events include the Main Festival at Rose Garden on 6 September, with tickets at R200 via Computicket.
MACUFE’s return is expected to inject millions into the local economy through tourism, arts, and small business opportunities. Makume’s department has promoted the festival as a launch pad for entrepreneurs, aligning with initiatives like consumer protection blitzes and business breakfasts in Parys.
This economic focus ties into national goals. Women’s Month activities nationwide highlight empowerment’s role in growth, with events like the Eastern Cape’s Business Parliament on 22 August emphasising inclusive policies.
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