June 11, 2026 –Just months after graduating from WPDI’s Women’s Livelihood Program in Cape Town, the ten winners of the 2025 Business Pitching Competition are already putting their skills, training, and funding into action. Across the Cape Flats, these women entrepreneurs are strengthening their businesses, expanding their customer base, creating employment opportunities, and building more secure futures for themselves and their families.
For the competition winners, graduation was not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new chapter. Following months of business training, mentorship, and preparation, they received support to help grow their enterprises and turn their ambitions into sustainable opportunities. While each entrepreneur’s path is unique, their experiences demonstrate the impact that targeted investment, practical skills, and ongoing support can have in helping women-led businesses thrive.
The Women’s Livelihood Program is part of WPDI’s broader commitment to equipping women with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to achieve economic independence and strengthen their communities. In the Cape Flats, where unemployment and economic exclusion continue to create barriers to opportunity, entrepreneurship can become a powerful pathway toward long-term stability.
Among the entrepreneurs is Phindiwe Matabeni, owner of Akhana Holdings, a clothing manufacturing business. While her business was already operating before joining the program, the support she received through WPDI helped her propel it forward. With the funding, she was able to purchase materials in bulk, offer more competitive pricing, and hire an assistant to support increasing demand. « The funds received helped the business to order materials in bulk so the best price can be given to the community and supply the best quality, » she shared.
For Shanell Davids, owner of Infinity Beauty Salon, WPDI’s support helped her build on an already established business. After losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched the salon to provide for her children as a single mother. Through the program’s business training and mentorship, she strengthened her entrepreneurial skills, refined her approach to managing the business, and gained the confidence to pursue future growth. « The valuable coaching and teachings helped in shaping my business. I have gained confidence in myself and in operating my business, » she said.
Meanwhile, Beanca Campher, owner of Ecclessia Enterprises, used her seed funding to purchase fabric and build inventory, allowing her business to respond more quickly to customer demand. Within just two months, she expanded her client base and created employment opportunities for two additional community members. « The business increased in sales quickly because we had stock on hand, » Beanca explained.
Whether launching new businesses or scaling existing ones, each entrepreneur’s journey is unique. Through ongoing incubator sessions, mentorship, and business development support, WPDI will continue working at their sides as they strengthen their operations, expand their customer base, and pursue new growth opportunities. This program demonstrates how investing in female entrepreneurs can create ripple effects that extend beyond individual businesses, strengthening families, creating jobs, and contributing to more resilient communities across the Cape Flats.
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