At WDB Trust, empowerment begins within. The values that drive our work in communities — trustworthiness, accountability, respect, and care — are the same values that shape how we engage with one another as a team.
At WDB Trust, empowerment begins within. The values that drive our work in communities — trustworthiness, accountability, respect, and care — are the same values that shape how we engage with one another as a team.
“We are not just building leaders; we are shaping a generation that leads with empathy, consciousness, and courage.”
— Riah Phiyega, CEO, WDB Trust
WDB Trust pays tribute to Dr Anne Letsebe, a lifelong advocate for women’s empowerment
Since relaunching our Microfinance Programme in 2024, WDB Trust has made strong strides in rebuilding trust, community, and opportunity — one woman at a time.
On 26 May 2025, our founder and visionary, Zanele Mbeki, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Social Science by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in recognition of her decades-long contribution to social development, gender equity, and women’s economic empowerment in South Africa and across the continent.
Born on 15 August 1925, Ma Shope’s life was defined by courage, clarity of purpose, and a lifelong commitment to the empowerment of African women.
The Training Academy Programme (TAP) continues to make significant strides in empowering women through skills development.
WDB Trust was honoured to take part in the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10–21 March 2025.
In March 2025, WDB Trust teams from Microfinance, Finance, IT, and the Training Academy departments embarked on a powerful learning journey to the Grameen Trust in Bangladesh — home of community microfinance and social business.