fraymedia Foundation inducts EntreprenHER 2025 Program cohort

The EntreprenHER Program launched by fraymedia Foundation in March 2024 – aims to encourage, support and skill-up women media entrepreneurs. The Program provides selected accredited and non-accredited business and management courses to 10 qualifying women, culminating in the opportunity to secure a modest grant to support or help establish their media ventures. The Program further aims to be a catalyst for individual success and transformation in the industry. 

The mission of the fraymedia Foundation is to amplify the presence of women in media, not just as professionals but as leaders and owners who shape the narrative and drive innovation. Founding Director of fraymedia Foundation, Charmeela Bhagowat held that,

“As we look to the future, fraymedia Foundation is committed to initiatives like The EntreprenHER, which focus on creating and supporting women media owners in South Africa and beyond.” 

The 2025 EntreprenHER Programme proceeded with an induction held by fraymedia Foundation, on April 23, 2025, and moderated by fraymedia Foundation Program Manager Makhosi Chiwashira. The Induction began with welcome and opening remarks provided by Founding Director of fraymedia Foundation, who gave an overview of the Foundation, its organogram, team, programmes and objectives.

"We have several active initiatives in the areas of leadership, entrepreneurship, mentoring, knowledge building, networking and grant making, and we aim to introduce more programmes and opportunities which provide skills, tools and networks to women journalists and women media owners," said Charmeela.

The EntreprenHER 2025 Induction Programme was followed by introductions by the 10 Program participants, who shared their experiences and expectations, as well as responses to the ice-breaker task. Following this, were reflection notes given by the 2024 Inaugural EntreprenHER Program Grant winner Nomthandazo Shai, a seasoned editor with nine years experience in community newspapers. Nomthandazo highlighted the impact of the EntreprenHER Program on her community newspaper business. The 2024 grant winner, is committed to amplifying local voices, and said, "if your goal is to assist the community, then the community will be the one that drives you, once you put all your models in place".

The interactive engagement in the Induction programme included a segment on Building confidence and embracing a growth mindset by fraymedia Foundation CEO Paula Fray. "Confidence is a learning experience, born out of being challenged and overcoming your challenges, if you don’t have the confidence to fail – you don’t have the confidence to succeed," said Paula, reinforcing the importance of projecting confidence to help build credibility.

The discussion was lively with EntreprenHERS sharing their journeys with confidence, understanding the confidence gap, self-awareness, vulnerability, strengths and weaknesses. Confidence is vital in entrepreneurship as it turns thoughts into stern action.

The four key elements to Building Confidence are:

• Authenticity: I'm doing what I believe in; I am my real self

• Self-efficacy: The belief I can achieve my goals and succeed in a role

• Adaptability: If one path does not work, I can choose another; and

• Persistence: For the long term

The distinctions between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset were unpacked, highlighting the importance of a growth mindset in media.

"As the media environment is fast-changing, high-pressure and competitive, navigating rejection, bias, and creative blocks is part of the journey. The growth mindset supports innovation, adaptability and confidence in your voice" said Paula.

The EntreprenHER programme is an annual six-month initiative designed to equip female media entrepreneurs with vital skills to build and sustain their businesses. Part of the programme includes providing a mix of accredited and non-accredited courses offered by fraycollege. This includes training and coursework in business planning, and finance management, along with non-accredited workshops in proposal writing, networking, and leadership. Participants are also encouraged to develop business plans, essential for the grant award selection process.

The EntreprenHER programme aims to address systemic challenges in the media industry, particularly the underrepresentation of women in leadership. Keynote speaker at the Inaugural EntreprenHER Program Grant Awards Ceremony, Phathiswa Magopeni, Executive Director of the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) emphasised the transformative power of women leaders in reshaping narratives. She said:

“Women media leaders can foster a more inclusive, accurate media landscape, having women as newsroom leaders promotes intellectual diversity and improves connection with audiences.”

The 10 participants of the 2025 EntreprenHER Program are:

1. Boitumelo Makgobotloane – Magazine & Newspaper Publisher

2. Dzudzanani Netshisaulu – Online newspaper publications

3. Irma Titus – Journalist and Founder of The Purple House

4. Maggie Malatji – Publisher of The L Magazine

5. Matohlang Peggy Zwane – Now Africa Talks Media Company

6. Mmanoke Lucia Shabangu – Events & Marketing

7. Mokgadi Maponya – Monate Media Creative Agency

8. Nosipho Mahlanyana – Founder of Kisima Radio

9. Rene Sparks – Social Justice & Health

10. Unathi Twala – Founder of Ntinga Africa Media

The participants' induction to fraycollege held on May 15, 2025 will lead them into their training courses as they undertake the six-month EntreprenHER Program through the remainder of the year.