The South African Women Business Council of Cooperatives’ (SAWBCC’s) vision was not different to that of government and the cooperative would align its objectives with those of the National Development Plan (NDP) aime at eradicating unemployment and poverty, SAWBCC president Ann Ngutshane said on Friday.

“And where we find [the NDP] lacking in relation to women, we now have the voice to speak up,” she stated at the official launch of the SAWBCC, in Newtown.

The SAWBCC is a gender-responsive and autonomous cooperative that was founded by a group of businesswomen from the Pretoria and Johannesburg area to promote common economic, social and cultural wellbeing and to stimulate access for women to opportunities in the mainstream economy.

The organisation had been established based on the understanding that cooperatives could be used as agents of change in economically emancipating women through poverty alleviation and the promotion of financial and social inclusion.

Along with cooperatives, small, medium-sized and micro enterprises (SMMEs) were also identified as key tools to achieve economic transformation by ensuring more equitable ownership.

Mining giant Anglo American hosted the opening of SAWBCC, which Ngutshane noted would add significant value to the South African economic landscape.

“Anglo American’s support is critical for the launch of the SAWBCC. Together, we are breaking new ground in that it is the first time in the history of cooperatives in South Africa that a big company like Anglo American is supporting the establishment of a women cooperative tertiary body,” she said.

Anglo American executive director Khanyisile Kweyama stated that the company’s support of the SAWBCC was linked to its overall philosophy.

“A central aspect of this philosophy is our efforts to make a real difference in the lives of women in South Africa by helping to further their economic opportunities.

“We are, therefore, delighted to offer our full support to the SAWBCC, as the organisation’s model firmly aligns with our core objectives. Undoubtedly, the organisation will provide women with an economic voice, and empower them to contribute valuably to poverty alleviation, and the sustained economic growth of our country,” she indicated.

She highlighted that the timing of the cooperative’s establishment could not be more appropriate, as the country’s high unemployment rate of about 25% was cause for concern.

“There is an urgent need to develop mechanisms that will stimulate sustainable employment opportunities, especially for women. SMMEs, which account for 40% of our gross domestic product, are quite appropriate in this regard.

“We cannot continue to be a grant society; we need to develop people so they can work for themselves and derive their own income,” Kweyama urged.

From 2008 to the end of 2012, Anglo American’s development arm Zimele directed 49% of its funds towards female entrepreneurs. As of the end of 2012, 25% of the company’s management positions were held by women, while nearly 7 042 mining jobs were also allocated to women.