Women of Value Southern Africa
Connecting African Women Entrepreneurs To Trade, Investment And Global Markets
WOMEN OF AFRICA ARISE
About Us
Women of Value Southern Africa (WOVSA) is a women-founded and women-led organisation established in South Africa in 2012, with a growing presence across the Southern African region and the continent.
WOVSA is committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, trade, investment, and leadership by creating platforms that promote inclusive growth, cross-border collaboration, and regional integration.
Operating under a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SADC Secretariat, WOVSA holds a mandate to champion women’s economic participation and facilitate cross-border trade across all 16 SADC Member States. WOVSA also serves in an Executive leadership role within the Continental Network of Women Business Associations in Africa (CONWOBAA), facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC), strengthening continental collaboration and intra-African trade.
Through impactful programmes, strategic partnerships, and high-level trade and investment platforms, WOVSA continues to drive women’s economic inclusion and leadership across Africa.
VALUES
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Inclusion
- Excellence
- Accountability
- Empowerment
"WOMEN OF AFRICA ARISE"
Our Programs
Ecosystem Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD)
Our Ecosystem ESD programme supports the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses through strategic partnerships, enterprise development, skills training, coaching, and mentorship. The programme also focuses on product development, market access, supplier development opportunities, and improving access to funding for entrepreneurs and emerging enterprises.
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Women in Tourism
Women in Tourism: Empowering women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector through training, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities. Creative & Cultural Tourism: Promoting indigenous arts, crafts, and gastronomy tourism opportunities. Fashion & Jewelry Programs: Skill development tours, showcasing local talent in textiles, jewelry, and design.
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Youth Training & Entrepreneurship Development
WOVSA is committed to empowering young people through skills development, entrepreneurship training, workplace integrated learning, and placement opportunities. Our youth programmes are designed to equip young entrepreneurs and graduates with practical skills, business knowledge, and pathways to economic participation and employment.
Community Development
Our Community Development service provides support and resources for local communities to thrive and grow. Our programs focus; Children Dignity & Beyond Program and Senior Citizen Social Program.
Revive and Thrive Hospitality Program
The Revive & Thrive Programme is a hospitality and enterprise development initiative focused on revitalising struggling and emerging tourism businesses across South Africa, particularly women-owned enterprises in rural, township, and semi-urban areas. Through infrastructure support, skills development, operational assistance, market access, and funding readiness, the programme aims to create sustainable, market-ready businesses that drive economic growth, job creation, and tourism competitiveness.
Trade And Investment Desk
Our Trade & Investment Desk creates platforms that promote regional integration, intra-African trade, tourism, and investment opportunities for women-led enterprises. Through high-level summits, women in tourism conferences, ESD masterclasses, trade missions, and investment engagements, WOVSA facilitates cross-border collaboration, market access, and business growth across Africa.
Events
The Inter-Africa Women Trade & Investment Summit 2026 and the CONWOBAA Inaugural Congress are premier continental platforms aimed at advancing women-led trade, investment, and economic integration across Africa under the AfCFTA framework. Taking place in South Africa from 29–31 July 2026, the summit will bring together business leaders, policymakers, investors, and women entrepreneurs to drive trade partnerships, market access, investment opportunities, and cross-border collaboration, culminating in the official launch of CONWOBAA, a continental network representing over 170 women business associations across Africa.
The Entrepreneurship Summit is a platform for networking, idea exchange, and learning about the latest trends in the business world.
Join us at the SADC Women in Tourism Annual Summit & Expo for insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and engaging exhibitions focused on advancing women's participation in tourism.
The Women Enterprise Development Conference, hosted by Women of Value Southern Africa (WOVSA), is an outcome-driven platform focused on empowering women-led businesses through funding access, enterprise development, market opportunities, and investment readiness support. Bringing together entrepreneurs, funders, corporate buyers, and development partners, the conference provides networking, mentorship, procurement engagement, and business growth opportunities to strengthen women’s participation in local and intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.
The Bleisure Trade, Investment & Tourism Forum, hosted by Women of Value SA (WOVSA) and partners on 27–28 March 2025 in Gauteng, South Africa, is a strategic platform aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment, cross-border trade, investment, and tourism opportunities across the SADC region. Bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs, the forum will facilitate strategic dialogue, networking, and collaboration while launching the WECONA Tourism Sector Stream Inter-Provincial Roadshows to support regional tourism development and business growth.
Executive Members
Ms. Dimakatso Malwela
President & Chairperson
Ms. Dimakatso Malwela, President of Women of Value South Africa (WOVSA), serves as a dynamic leader within the Executive Committee, driving the organization's strategic vision and empowering women entrepreneurs across South Africa and the SADC region. As President, she spearheads initiatives that promote economic empowerment, enterprise development, and regional collaboration.
Ms. Charlotte Mthombeni
Trade & Investment Director
Ms. Charlotte Mthombeni, Trade and Investment Director of Women of Value Southern Africa (WOVSA), drives the organisation’s strategic agenda on trade facilitation and investment promotion. She plays a pivotal role in advancing women’s economic empowerment, enterprise development, and market access across the region, and the broader African continent.
Dr Beauty Tshabalala
VP Socio-Economic Transformation
Beauty Tshabalala serves as the VP of Socio-Economic Transformation, where she leads initiatives aimed at enhancing social and economic development across communities. Her role involves strategic planning, managing projects, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth and positive impact.
Ms. Rachel Yomin
VP West Africa Trade & Investment
Ms. Rachel Yomin holds the vital position of VP Trade & Investment, ensuring the effective management and oversight of all trade and investment activities.
Ms Angela Martha-Diamantino
VP Regional Tourism, Trade & Investment
Ms Angela Martha-Diamantino serves as the VP of Regional Tourism, Trade & Investment, where she oversees initiatives to boost regional tourism and stimulate trade and investment opportunities.
Ms. Rejoice Makawa
VP Media & Communication
Rejoice Makawa is our VP Media & Communication, overseeing all media relations and communication strategies. She ensures that our message is effectively conveyed to the public and our internal team.
Ms. Rindra Rakotoarisoa
VP Programs Indian Ocean
As the VP Programs Indian Ocean, Rindra Rakoarisoa plays a pivotal role in managing and executing programs, ensuring their effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals in the region.
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Our Partners
