WDB TRUST
Our Programmes
The WDB Trust models itself after the Grameen Bank,
founded by Professor Muhammad Yunus in 1976, providing
small, collateral-free loans to impoverished individuals.
The Microfinance Programme focuses on offering
developmental microfinance to disadvantaged rural
women, integrating them into the mainstream economy.
This enables them to contribute to their families’ and
communities’ development, fostering cohesion, support,
and loan repayment. Recognising that microloans alone
take years to lift families from poverty, the WDB Trust
launched the Zenzele Development Programme (ZDP)
in 2013 to enhance non-financial services, targeting
poverty eradication. ZDP uses the Development Caravan
methodology, mobilising support and stimulating
community self-organisation.
In 2015, the Training Academy Programme (TAP) was created
to develop skills within communities, aiming to become a
leader in poverty reduction training, particularly in development
microfinance. TAP links households to socio-economic
resources, enterprise development, ICT skills, and digitisation
in rural areas, accessible to WDB employees, beneficiaries, and
stakeholders.
The Trust also promotes a Pan-African perspective through its Pan-African Advocacy pillar, which includes the African Women in Dialogue (AfWID) and Zanele Mbeki Fellowship (ZMF) programmes. AfWID fosters dialogue among African women on issues of continental importance, while ZMF nurtures the next generation of feminist leaders across Africa, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to drive holistic positive change for women in all areas of life.
The Trust also promotes a Pan-African perspective through its Pan-African Advocacy pillar, which includes the African Women in Dialogue (AfWID) and Zanele Mbeki Fellowship (ZMF) programmes. AfWID fosters dialogue among African women on issues of continental importance, while ZMF nurtures the next generation of feminist leaders across Africa, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to drive holistic positive change for women in all areas of life.
Our Programmes
WDB Trust’s programmes address poverty in communities. The Zenzele Development Programme
connects communities to essential social services, empowering self-help. The Microfinance Programme
provides microloans to women for income-generating activities. The Training Academy offers skills.
training to help clients shape their futures, while the Pan-African Advocacy Pillar promotes a Pan-African
perspective in our mission.
Zenzele Development Programme
Combats poverty in communities using the ABCD model and principles. It fosters community self-organisation mobilises support from stakeholders.
Microfinance Programme
Providing interest-bearing microloans to rural women for income-generating activities.
Training Academy Programme
Provides essential skills training in health, education, and digital literacy for rural communities.
Pan-African Advocacy Pillar
Contributes to the African women’s movement through the African Women in Dialogue (AfWID) programme that unites 1000 women from all 55 countries on the continent and the Zanele Mbeki Fellowship (ZMF) on African feminist leadership