IWFCI South Africa
IWFCI South Africa is a non-profit, non-government, member-based organisation established in 2022. It is one of 14 chapters of IWFCI. IWFCI was founded in 1992 by Diana Abruzzi in Melbourne, Australia. It was established with the purpose of supporting women entering business and developing trade across the globe.
Sign-UpThe IWFCI South African Chapter was established in 2022 by Vino Pillay. Today, IWFCI South Africa remains first and foremost an empowering opportunity for women to meet and engage with like-minded entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in a supportive network.
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That all women, despite location and situation can live, work and have a better life, in dignity and higher self-esteem; Having equal opportunity for economic freedom and wellbeing for them, their families, dependents and community.
IWFCI is the world’s first International Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Australia’s first dedicated Chamber of Commerce for women.
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IWFCI SOUTH AFRICA LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
Following the AGM held on 15 April 2026, IWFCI South Africa enters a new phase of leadership.
We extend our appreciation to Vino Pillay for her contribution and leadership, and are pleased to announce Mahadi Buthelezi as President for the 2026–2030 term, supported by a governance-aligned Board.
This next phase focuses on strengthening governance, enabling women-led
enterprises, and advancing global trade participation.
Let us begin the work.
#IWFCI #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #EconomicEmpowerment #SouthAfrica
Last evening, at our AGM, I officially stepped down as President of IWFCI South Africa after five remarkable years.
What began during the uncertainty of COVID-19 has grown into something truly meaningful - the establishment of South Africa’s first chamber of commerce dedicated to women in business, and a thriving part of a global network spanning over 14 countries.
This journey has been one of purpose, resilience, and collective effort.
My heartfelt gratitude to our Founder and Global Chairman, Diana Abruzzi, for her unwavering guidance and belief. To my fellow Chapter Presidents and their teams, our Board of Directors, especially those who stood strong in our early days and to our incredible members, partners, and sponsors… thank you. You have been the driving force behind every milestone.
Hosting the 8th Annual Global Women’s Trade Summit in 2024 remains a proud highlight, one that showcased the strength and potential of women-led enterprises on a global stage. I am also deeply honoured to have been one of 20 women recognised with the Pan African Transformational Leadership Award in Egypt in 2024, in acknowledgement of my contribution to advancing women across the continent.
As I step into my new role as IWFCI Goodwill Ambassador: Africa, I remain deeply committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment across Africa.
To @hrh_mahadi_buthelezi , as Incoming President, I hand over with confidence and wish you and the new leadership team every success as you take IWFCI South Africa to even greater heights.
This is not an ending, just a continuation of purpose!!!
#iwfci
We extend our sincere appreciation to Cynthia Edudje, President of IWFCI Nigeria, and her dedicated team for hosting such a meaningful and well-executed session.
As IWFCI South Africa 🇿🇦, it was truly a privilege to collaborate with IWFCI Nigeria 🇳🇬 on this important platform. This engagement reflects the strength of our shared vision in empowering women in business through connection, knowledge-sharing, and collective growth across borders.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this impactful dialogue. We value the partnership and look forward to many more collaborations that continue to uplift and advance women across our network. 🌍✨
#iwfci
We’re excited to invite you to the IWFCI Nigeria Scale Up Sessions – Episode 1! 🇳🇬🇿🇦🌍
This powerful collaboration will feature dynamic voices from IWFCI South Africa joining as panelists, bringing cross-border insight on how to start, grow, and scale in today’s economy.
From understanding money flows to building businesses that pay consistently, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
📅 10 April 2026
🕛 12h00 WAT | 12h00 GMT | 14h00 SAST
#IWFCI #WomenInBusiness #ScaleUp #AfricanWomenLead
Insightful Conversations on Profit & Purpose
A sincere thank you to Beth Klomp and the team at Maverix for hosting IWFCI SA members at a powerful and thought-provoking “Where’s the Profit?” Breakfast Session at Steyn City and Randburg Country Club.
The session was a timely reminder that while many entrepreneurs are working tirelessly, true success lies in understanding the drivers of profit and leading with clarity and intention. As highlighted, building sustainable businesses requires more than effort. It requires insight, structure, and a firm grasp of the numbers that matter.
We deeply appreciate the valuable perspectives shared, and the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow business leaders committed to growth and impact.
#IWFCISA #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #ProfitWithPurpose #Maverix
Thank you to Access Bank!
We extend our sincere appreciation to Access Bank South Africa for hosting an exceptional and insightful networking session for our members.
A special thank you to IWFCI SA member and CEO of Browns Foods, Mabel Akinlabi, for facilitating this valuable engagement. Your commitment to creating platforms that connect women in business to opportunities, capital, and strategic partnerships is truly commendable.
Sessions like these continue to strengthen our mission at IWFCI South Africa, to empower, connect, and elevate women entrepreneurs.
We look forward to continued collaboration and impact. 🌍✨
#IWFCISA #WomenInBusiness #Networking #AccessBank #Leadership Collaboration
Happy International Women’s Day 2026
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the courage, resilience, and extraordinary leadership of women who continue to shape economies, communities, and the future of our world.
As President of IWFCI South Africa, Global Lead for World Speech Day Women and through my work at Women LEAD SA, I am reminded daily that when women are given the platform to lead, speak, trade, and mentor, transformation follows.
Our collective responsibility is clear: to open doors, amplify women’s voices, and ensure that the next generation of women leaders rises with confidence, opportunity, and purpose.
Empowered women do more than succeed. They build economies, communities, and legacies.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInLeadership #WomenInBusiness #WorldSpeechDay #IWFCI GivetoGain
IWFCI SA President, Vino Pillay, together with our Advisor for Capacity Building, Gumani Mugeri, had the privilege of serving as panellists at a recent Entrepreneurial Cohort hosted by Rams Professional Training and Conferencing in partnership with SEDFA, Gauteng.
This focused programme was designed to empower 20 SMEs through practical engagement, strategic insight, and capacity development, equipping entrepreneurs not only to sustain their businesses, but to scale them with confidence.
We extend our sincere appreciation to IWFCI SA member, Koketso Ramatlho, for the invitation and for her leadership in driving this impactful initiative. Strengthening SMEs through Financial Management discipline and Funding Readiness is not just a training exercise but rather an economic transformation in action.
When entrepreneurs are equipped with the right financial frameworks, strategic clarity, and access pathways, they move from survival to sustainability and from sustainability to growth.
Well done, Koketso, on championing this journey of empowerment. The ripple effects of investing in SME capability will be felt far beyond this cohort.
#SMEDevelopment #WomenInLeadership #FinancialReadiness #FundingAccess #EconomicEmpowerment
