Nomthandazo Shai, publisher of Straightline News in Mpumalanga, has been awarded the inaugural R50,000 EntreprenHER grant to help build her newsroom as the winner of the EntreprenHER programme.
The EntreprenHer programme is an annual six-month initiative designed to equip female media entrepreneurs with vital skills to build and sustain their businesses. The programme is ran by fraymedia Foundation. Part of the programme includes taking a mix of accredited and non-accredited courses offered by fraycollege.
Shai says the courses she did as part of this programme reshaped her approach to running her publication.
“Writing a business proposal and a business plan had the biggest impact on my business,” she explains.
The programme offered accredited training in business planning and finance management, along with non-accredited workshops in proposal writing, networking, and leadership. Participants were encouraged to develop business plans, essential for the grant selection process.
Additionally, Shai acknowledged the transformative power of feedback she received during the programme. She also says the grant was not just financial support but recognition of her commitment to community-driven media. “If your goal is to assist the community, then the community will be the one that drives you, once you put all your models in place,” Shai remarks.
Another participant of the programme and finalist in the grant competition, Anetta Magxaba, founder of Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa, the programme provided invaluable tools to grow her business. “I’ve learned the importance of revisiting our business plan regularly and aligning it with our goals. Networking, marketing, and business planning have reshaped my approach,” she explains. Magxaba’s vision now includes expanding her media portfolio with online and print publications. “I’ll focus on targeted marketing and strategic networking to achieve these ambitious goals,” she adds.
The programme aims to address systemic challenges in the media industry, particularly the underrepresentation of women in leadership. Keynote speaker at the grant ceremony, Phathiswa Magopeni, emphasised the transformative power of women leaders in reshaping narratives. “Women media leaders can foster a more inclusive, accurate media landscape,” she noted.
This mentorship aspect inspired participants to embrace self-empowerment. Magxaba highlighted, “I’ve learned to delegate and avoid burnout while building resilience. The connections I’ve made with other women entrepreneurs are invaluable.”
fraymedia Foundation CEO Charmeela Bhagowat expresses a commitment to expanding the programme, stating, “We hope to grow this into one of our flagship initiatives.”
As the EntreprenHER programme continues to empower women, its impact will ripple across the media landscape, fostering a more inclusive and community-focused industry.
