Women's Upliftment Workshop

Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities: SANZAF Women’s Upliftment Workshop in Durban

Empowerment begins when knowledge becomes confidence, skills become opportunity and women are given the space to recognise their own potential.

From 17 to 19 August 2026, SANZAF welcomed women to its Durban office for a three-day Women’s Upliftment Workshop, bringing together financial literacy, practical skills development, Islamic guidance and conversations around women’s rights and dignity.

The programme formed part of SANZAF’s broader commitment to women empowerment and sustainable community development in South Africa. Over three days, participants moved from learning how to strengthen their financial futures, to developing practical food skills and finally to reflecting on their rights, self-worth and ability to make choices for themselves and their families.

It was women’s empowerment in action: learning together, growing together and turning practical skills into possibilities.

Day 1: Financial Literacy, Personal Growth and Women in Islam

The programme began with 26 women gathering for a day centred on personal development and financial empowerment for women.

Through motivational and educational sessions facilitated by Shabnam Bux and Apa Sumayya Kharsany, participants explored practical financial skills that can contribute to greater independence and more informed decision-making.

The sessions addressed important areas including budgeting and managing household expenses, retirement planning, business finances and financial independence.

For women managing households, considering entrepreneurship or planning for their long-term futures, financial literacy can be a powerful tool. Understanding how money is earned, managed, saved and planned allows women to make more informed choices for themselves and their families.

The day also explored the rights and responsibilities of women in Islam.

Participants reflected on the opportunities Islam affords women to pursue knowledge, build careers and manage their own wealth, while also recognising the invaluable contribution women make in nurturing families and shaping future generations.

Bringing financial education and Islamic guidance into the same conversation reinforced an important message: empowerment can be both practical and values-driven.

Day 2: Practical Skills That Can Become Opportunities

On Day 2, learning moved from financial planning to the SANZAF Chef School kitchen as participants rolled up their sleeves for a practical skills development session.

The aroma of freshly baked artisan bread soon filled the room as the women learnt to bake artisan bread and prepare homemade orange jam from scratch.

Alongside these skills, participants explored food preservation techniques that can help households reduce food waste, extend the shelf life of produce and make better use of everyday ingredients.

But the real value of the day extended beyond the kitchen.

Between batches of bread and jars of jam came conversations, laughter, shared knowledge and the confidence that grows from learning something new alongside others.

Importantly, these are skills with possibilities beyond the workshop. Participants can use them at home, share them with family members or potentially develop them into small income-generating opportunities or home-based businesses.

For SANZAF, skills development is an important part of sustainable empowerment. A practical skill can become a way to save money, supplement household income or even take the first step towards entrepreneurship and greater self-reliance.

Day 3: Women’s Rights, Dignity and the Freedom to Choose

The final day brought the Women’s Upliftment Workshop to a meaningful close, with 21 women gathering at Westwood Mall for a programme centred on dignity, rights, choice and sisterhood.

In a beautiful expression of unity and solidarity for Women’s Month, each participant brought a pink scarf, creating a shared symbol of togetherness, strength and women supporting women.

The programme began with an important conversation about women’s rights from Johanna Herbst, encouraging participants to understand their rights, recognise their self-worth and feel empowered to advocate for themselves.

After three days of learning, the women also had an opportunity to connect and enjoy time together over a shared meal.

This was followed by a shopping experience where each woman was given the freedom to select essential items for herself and her household.

The significance went beyond the items purchased. Having the ability to choose for oneself is closely connected to dignity. The experience created an opportunity for each participant to make decisions according to her own needs and leave feeling seen, valued and supported.

From Knowledge to Confidence and Skills to Possibility

Across three days, the programme demonstrated the value of taking a holistic approach to women’s empowerment and skills development.

Day 1 provided knowledge for stronger financial decision-making. Day 2 transformed practical learning into skills that could support households or potentially generate income. Day 3 created space for conversations about rights, dignity, self-worth and personal choice.

Together, these experiences reflected SANZAF’s belief that empowering a woman can create an impact far beyond one individual.

When a woman develops financial literacy, her household can benefit from stronger financial planning. When she learns a practical skill, that knowledge can be shared with her family or transformed into an income opportunity. When she understands her rights and recognises her worth, she is better equipped to advocate for herself and contribute confidently within her community.

This is how empowerment creates a ripple effect—strengthening women, families and ultimately entire communities.

A heartfelt Jazakallah Khair to Shubum Buxs, Apa Sumya Kharsany, our donors, staff and every participant who contributed to three memorable days of learning, connection and upliftment.

Help Us Create More Opportunities for Women

SANZAF’s Women Empowerment and Skills Development initiatives aim to equip women with knowledge, practical skills and opportunities that encourage confidence, resilience and greater self-reliance.

Your support can help us continue creating spaces where women can learn, develop practical skills, strengthen their financial knowledge and work towards more sustainable futures for themselves and their families.

Help us empower more women to learn, grow and thrive.

💚 Support SANZAF’s Women Empowerment and Skills Development initiatives and help turn knowledge into opportunity, skills into livelihoods and empowerment into lasting community impact.