About UBWYN GlobaL
The Unorthodox Black Women’s Youth Network (UBWYN Global ) is a network founded out of the need to create a platform that is centred around creating solutions to the economic issues affecting youth and black womxn that hinder their access to economic participation.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
- To act as hub and network for black, youth womxn in business.
- To support and facilitate business opportunities for womxn in the network through partnerships.
- To encourage government to do business with the womxn in the network.
- To act as a portal for corporates to find black, womxn, youth ow ned businesses.
- To encourage womxn to form consortiums to go for larger contracts.
- To use our resources to market the companies on our network
- To host regular workshops that assist the women on our network and encourage networking amongst them.
- To encourage regional intergration in a safe manner where all due diligence has been done.
- To also encourage intergenerational networking with successful, seasoned womxn in business and positions of power.
- The mid to long term objective is to have a fund that will assist members in scaling their businesses and to also fund existing members and non members with their businesses that are still in the ideation phase as long as they are black, womxn, youth owned.
WORK WE HAVE DONE
Gender Based Violence has been an issue in our communities for centuries and it is also a global issue. Recently and also through the power of social media more and more cases have been brought to light.
On September 2nd 2019, when it was confirmed that Uyinene Mrwetyana was found dead, the founder of UBWYN Global decided to launch a campaign bringing awareness to Gender Based Violence.
We also cited that economic dependency is one of the major factors contributing to Gender Based Violence. We then planned a mass stay away with an economic consequence planned for September 11th. The call to action was for womxn to stay home and not got to work, school and to also not buy anything. The hashtag used was #WithoutUS where we wanted the country to see the important role that womxn play in society and how dysfunctional our society would be without womxn.
Outcomes of #WithoutUs
The campaign went viral on social media , attracting attention and solidarity in organizations in the greater SADC region. Classes at prominent universities such as UCT were cancelled, broadcasting was interrupted at youth radio station YFM, as the womxn producers and presenters stayed away. Representatives also invited on town halls held at 702 discussing solutions to Gender Based Violence.
"There is still much work to be done in the realm of creating solutions to the economic issues affecting youth and black women."
MEET SIBABALWE SESMANI
Sibabalwe Sesmani is a leader passionate about empowering women. She is the Group CEO of Unorthodox Group, a company encompassing Unorthodox PR and Unorthodox Sport.
Unorthodox PR, founded by Sibabalwe, helps businesses gain exposure across Africa and the UK. She actively uses this platform to support women entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Women Youthpreneur Breakfasts, which connected women with industry leaders.
Sibabalwe’s commitment to women extends beyond business. She is the Vice President of the Makazole Mapimpi Foundation, which tackles gender-based violence and promotes education and sports opportunities for girls. She also established the Unorthodox Black Women’s Youth Network, an organization fostering female entrepreneurship.
Sibabalwe’s dedication to women’s leadership has been recognized by awards like the Young Women in Leadership Award by the Black Management Forum.
