SACBW National Official

What SACBW National Official does

SACBW (South African Council for Business Women) is a non-profit membership organization, founded in 1985 as the Johannesburg Business Women's Club and formalized at the national level in 1988, that operates a women-in-business network across South Africa. The organization runs 20+ local sisterhood chapters spanning nine provinces and a virtual online sisterhood, hosting monthly networking events, workshops, and an annual Awards & Gala that includes the Business Woman of the Year competition. Its core products are tiered memberships (Full Individual at R99/month or R999/year, Company at R500/month, Corporate at R1,000/month, and Virtual Online at R299), event tickets (R130-R240), the HerVoice E-Magazine (R35/issue), branded merchandise, and bursary-fund raffles through the SACBW Foundation NPC.

Underlying technology is conventional and undifferentiated: the Admidio open-source membership management system powers member directories, event calendars, and document libraries, while a WooCommerce-based online store handles subscriptions, ticket sales, and merchandise. SACBW's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on in-person chapter meetings, word-of-mouth referrals, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp), and the prestige of its annual awards competition rather than paid acquisition. Revenue mechanics combine recurring membership subscriptions with transactional event, merchandise, and raffle income; the customer base spans individual women entrepreneurs and corporate/company members across roughly 30+ named enterprises in legal, staffing, hospitality, financial services, and other verticals, with no significant dependency on any single account.

Name

SACBW National Official

Legal name

The South African Council for Business Women

Website

https://sacbw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SACBW (South African Council for Business Women) is a non-profit membership network, founded 1985/1988, operating 20+ local sisterhood chapters across South Africa. It serves women entrepreneurs and corporate members with tiered subscriptions, monthly networking events, an annual awards gala, and the HerVoice E-Magazine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: SACBW generates primary revenue through tiered membership subscriptions including Full Membership (R99/month or R999/year), Company Membership (R500/month or R5000/year for 1-20 employees), Corporate Membership (R1000/month or R10000/year for 20+ employees), and Virtual Online Membership (R299). Membership includes access to network events, resources, and member benefits.
2. Network Event Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for regional network events across South Africa. Pricing varies by location and membership status, ranging from R130-R240 for members and non-members. Events include breakfast/refreshments and networking opportunities.
3. Annual Awards & Gala: Annual awards ceremony and gala dinner generating revenue through ticket sales at R450 for members and R550 for non-members, including a 3-course meal and special gift.
4. HerVoice E-Magazine: Digital magazine sales at R35 per issue, with free download available using coupon code 'hervoice'. The magazine features articles aimed at inspiring and empowering women in business.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sales of branded merchandise including SACBW Selfcare Journal (R80) and A3 Desk Calendar 2026 (R50). Members receive free copies via coupon codes.
6. Bursary Fund Raffles: Raffle tickets for bursary fund initiatives, such as Johannesburg Bursary Fund Raffle at R20 per ticket, supporting education access for women.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SACBW operates a tiered membership-based networking organization for women in business across South Africa, selling Full Individual, Company (1-20 employees), Corporate (20+ employees), and Virtual Online memberships that grant access to monthly regional network events, the HerVoice E-Magazine digital publication, member directories, and the annual Business Woman of the Year awards competition. The organization additionally sells event tickets, gala tickets, branded digital merchandise, and bursary raffles, operating through 20+ regional sisterhood chapters and an Admidio/WooCommerce-backed digital platform.

Product overview

SACBW (South African Council for Business Women) is a membership-based networking organization for women in business, not a traditional technology product company. The organization operates a membership management system (Admidio) and WooCommerce-based online store. The core offering consists of membership tiers (Individual, Company, Corporate, and Virtual Online) that provide access to regional network events, the HerVoice E-Magazine digital publication, and annual awards programs. Additional products include the SACBW Selfcare Journal and A3 Desk Calendar (available as digital downloads for members). The organization hosts approximately 30+ regional sisterhood network events monthly across South Africa, covering areas such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Nelspruit, Rustenburg, Bloemfontein, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Business Woman of the Year Competition: Annual prestigious competition recognizing outstanding women in business, life-altering for nominees and winners.
• HerVoice E-Magazine
• SACBW Foundation NPC

Products and services

• Full Membership (Annual) Annual individual membership tier at R999/year, providing access to all SACBW network events across South Africa, member resources, the HerVoice E-Magazine, member directory, and the awards platform.
• Full Membership (Monthly) Monthly debit-order individual membership at R99/month, providing ongoing access to the SACBW network, events, and resources for women in business.
• Virtual Online Membership Remote membership at R299 for women in business who cannot attend in-person events, providing digital access to virtual events and online resources through the Virtual Online Sisterhood.
• Company Membership (Annual) Annual membership for companies with up to 20 employees at R5000/year (or R500/month), offering team access to SACBW networking events and business development opportunities.
• Corporate Membership (Annual) Premium annual membership for corporations with 20+ employees at R10,000/year (or R1000/month), providing comprehensive access to SACBW events, VIP benefits, and corporate visibility.
• HerVoice E-Magazine Monthly electronic magazine at R35/issue featuring articles to inspire, empower, and equip readers with knowledge and practical tools for business and personal goals; free download available using coupon code 'hervoice'.
• SACBW Selfcare Journal A5 format self-care journal sold at R80, available as a free PDF download for members via coupon code, designed to support personal wellbeing and mindfulness.
• SACBW A3 Desk Calendar 2026 A downloadable A3 desk calendar at R50 featuring 2026 public holidays and awareness days, available as a PDF download free for members.
• Annual Awards & Gala Event Prestigious annual awards ceremony and gala dinner held on 24 October 2026 in Mosselbay, recognizing Business Woman of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year Rising Star, Warrior Woman Social Entrepreneur, and Youth Leader of the Year. Tickets at R450 (members) / R550 (non-members) include a 3-course meal and special gift.
• Regional Network Events Regular monthly networking events hosted across 20+ regional sisterhood chapters in South Africa, featuring guest speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities. Event tickets range from R130-R240 depending on location and membership status.
• Bursary Fund Raffles Raffle tickets sold at R20 each (e.g., Johannesburg Bursary Fund Raffle) to support the SACBW Foundation NPC bursary fund providing education access for women.

Quantifiable outcome

• Winners of Business Woman of the Year competition have doubled their turnover due to public recognition and exposure

Named customers33 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Small Business Institute (SBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with the Small Business Institute (formerly Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut/AHI) for collaboration on small business advocacy and development initiatives. The partnership leverages shared expertise to drive growth and deliver exceptional results for members.
• International Professional Image Association (IPIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IPIA focusing on professional image development for women in business. The collaboration provides members with access to professional development resources and networking opportunities.
• Women in MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Women in Media organization to support and promote women in the media industry and enhance media visibility for women entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• SA Women in Business (SAWIB): South African organization supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners through training, networking, and mentorship. Comparable to SACBW in targeting South African women in business but typically operating through training programs rather than the chapter-and-awards model.

Emerging players

• Connected Women Nigeria: African women's business network focused on digital skills, entrepreneurship, and micro-business support in Nigeria. Comparable to SACBW's women-in-business mission but operating primarily online and at earlier stage of development.

Direct peers

• WEConnect International: Global membership network certifying women-owned businesses and connecting them to corporate supply chains. Comparable to SACBW in the women-business networking and corporate-connection model, but with an international footprint rather than single-country focus.
• Ellevate Network: Global professional women's membership community (formerly 85 Broads) offering virtual and in-person networking, mentorship circles, and events. Directly comparable to SACBW's mission of connecting women in business, but operating primarily through a digital-first model.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): US-based membership organization for women business owners providing local chapters, networking events, advocacy, and resources. Closest functional analogue to SACBW in terms of tiered membership, chapter-led events, and public-policy advocacy for women entrepreneurs.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): US organization supporting women-owned businesses through certification, corporate connections, and regional partner organizations. Comparable to SACBW in providing a national platform that connects women business owners to corporate opportunities and recognition.
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: International foundation focused on women's economic empowerment, supporting women entrepreneurs in Africa and other emerging markets. Comparable to SACBW's Foundation NPC arm in mission and beneficiary base, particularly across the African continent.
• Women's Presidents Organization (WPO): Membership organization for women who have founded and lead businesses with significant revenue, organized into peer advisory chapters. Comparable to SACBW's chapter-based model but targeting a higher-revenue segment with peer-advisory formats rather than open networking events.
• Business Women's Association (BWA) South Africa: Long-established South African association for women in business, offering networking events, recognition programs, and corporate engagement. Directly comparable as a domestic peer running chapters, events, and a women-business awards platform competing for the same member base.

Broad incumbents

• African Women's Development Fund (AWDF): Pan-African grantmaking foundation supporting organizations working on women's rights and empowerment across Africa. Comparable as a broader institutional player in the African women-empowerment ecosystem that intersects with SACBW's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SACBW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sacbw
• Instagraminstagram.com/sacbw.official

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SACBW National Official