Women have been encouraged to take control of their finances and build greater financial independence during Money Smart Week.

In an event hosted by the Women’s Directorate in the Office of the Executive Mayor, women gathered at the Germiston Banquet Hall under the theme ‘The Power of Possible’, focusing on equipping women with financial literacy skills, including budgeting, saving, and managing money.

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The initiative aims to promote financial inclusion and independence while helping women access economic opportunities and build greater financial stability and resilience.

The event featured speakers who shared information and practical solutions aimed at helping women save, manage and grow their money.

MMC for Operations and Maintenance in the City of Ekurhuleni and political lead for the Women’s Directorate, Alderman Nomadlozi Nkosi, said the theme was particularly significant as the programme sought to provide women with information that could improve their financial well-being.

“We want women to be financially viable. We want them to be able to build estates, run businesses and be functional in society without depending on their husbands,” said Nkosi.

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She highlighted the resilience of women, particularly single mothers who continue to provide for their families despite financial challenges.

“Some of these women are single mothers, but they get the job done in the household. We are here to say that one can build capacity and not depend on temporary pay,” she said.

Nkosi also praised women entrepreneurs and informal traders who have managed to support their families and improve their livelihoods through their businesses.

“We are having women who are street vendors, and they have managed to build houses and take their children to school. We are here to embrace and equip those women too,” she said.

One of the key messages from the programme was a warning against excessive borrowing. Nkosi urged women to be cautious about taking loans that could later become a financial burden, warning particularly against reliance on loan sharks.

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She said the programme forms part of efforts by the Women’s Directorate to empower women with knowledge and tools that can help them make informed financial decisions and work towards greater economic independence.