Nelson Mandela University · Centre for Women & Gender Studies × WDB Trust
● LIVE · 21 August 2026
Women’s Month Colloquium
Banking on Women
Investing in, trusting and sustaining women’s economic initiatives — the foundation of resilient African communities.
DATE 21 August 2026
TIME 08:30 – 17:00
About the Colloquium
Reimagining Africa's Economic Future Through Feminist Thought
“Banking on women means to meaningfully invest in, trust, support and sustain women’s economic initiatives in building resilient and sustainable communities.”
The Banking on Women colloquium is a partnership between the Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University, the WDB Trust, and the Zanele Mbeki Foundation.
Bringing together scholars, activists, businesswomen and feminist collectives across economics, development, and sociology, the day-long colloquium considers the models and possibilities that emerge through an African feminist understanding of the economy.
Held during Women’s Month 2026, the theme is inspired by the WDB Trust — founded by Zanele Mbeki in 1991 — as it celebrates its 35th anniversary.
Thematic Interventions
Five Threads of Inquiry
Programme
The Day at a Glance
Friday, 21 August 2026 · Ocean Sciences Campus · Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha
| 08:30–08:45 | Wellness and Breathing Exercises |
| 08:45–09:00 | Opening & Welcome Prof Sibongile Muthwa (Vice Chancellor) |
| 09:00–09:20 | Foundation Foundations: Banking on Women Mrs Zanele Mbeki (WDB Trust) Chair: Prof Pumla Dineo Gqola (CWGS) |
| 09:20–10:50 | History, Meanings and Approaches of Banking on Women: WDB Trust Ms Riah Phiyega (WBD Trust) · Dr Futhi Mtoba (Teach SA) · Dr Judy Dlamini (FALF) Chair: Ms Linda Vilakazi (WDB Trust) |
| 10:50–11:00 | Tea Break |
| 11:00–11:05 | Breathing Exercises |
| 12:30 | African Feminist Perspectives on Economy/ies Dr Lebohang Pheko (Trade Collective) · Crystal Simeoni (Nawi) · Prof Michele Ruiters (GIBS) Chair: Prof Babalwa Magoqwana (CWGS) |
| 12:30–13:30 | Policies and Practice: Creating Economies of Care Safia Khan (UCT) · Isabella Matambanadzo (Independent) Chair: Babalwa Mntengenya (CWGS) |
| 13:30–13:40 | Message of Support DVC for Engagement and Transformation, Professor André Keet |
| 13:40–14:30 | Lunch |
| 14:30 | Movement and Wellness |
| 14:35–16:00 | Development, Debt and Deconstructing our Current Economic Frameworks Prof Edith Phaswana (UNISA) · Busi Sibeko (Wits/SOAS) · Nombuso Mathibela (Independent/Nawi) Chair: Danielle Bowler (CWGS) |
| 16:00–16:15 | Music Item Asanda Mqiki (Artist) |
| 16:15–16:30 | Closing Reflections Ms Nana Magomola (WDB Trust) |
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Nelson Mandela University · Centre for Women & Gender Studies
WDB Trust · Zanele Mbeki Foundation