A symposium is will be held on Friday with the aim of providing women equal access to business opportunities.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, together with KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Peggy Nkonyeni, will lead the symposium.

The department said the business symposium, which forms part of Women’s Month celebrations, will focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and empowering women to access business opportunities through public procurement.

“In an effort to deepen socio-economic opportunities for women’s empowerment — in line with the Women’s Month theme — Dr Dlamini-Zuma and MEC Nkonyeni will outline the importance of making the AfCFTA agreement work to benefit both women and youth. The African continent and South Africa are endowed with mineral deposits and commodities that should benefit all Africans, particularly women and youth,” the department said in a statement.

Held under the theme, ‘Knowledge is power, Ulwazi Lungamandla’, the symposium (to be held at iLembe District Municipality) will see various well-packaged presentations by stakeholders from government, including the private sector from South Africa and Africa, with the intention of empowering women to tap into the African markets.

The symposium is expected to be attended by Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, Health Deputy Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the Mayor of iLembe District Municipality, Thobani Shandu and various senior leaders from the public and private sector.

Source: South African Government News Agency