Introduction: The Spirit of Women’s Day
On 9 August 1956, over 20,000 South African women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. They protested against unjust pass laws. Their powerful words, “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo” — You strike a woman, you strike a rock — still echo through our history.
These women were mothers, workers, homemakers, leaders — united in courage. They did not have wealth or political influence, yet their collective strength shifted a nation.
Today, our challenges look different, but our courage is still needed. As women of faith, we face a new battlefield: economic empowerment. In a world where debt, financial instability, and rising living costs weigh heavily, financial stewardship represents courage. It also signifies obedience and the building of a legacy.
1. The Courage of the 1956 Women and the Women of the Bible
The heroines of 1956 remind us of biblical women who refused to shrink back when it mattered most:
- Deborah (Judges 4–5) — A judge, prophetess, and military leader who led Israel with wisdom and boldness.
- Esther (Esther 4:14) — A young queen who risked her life to protect her people, stepping into her God-given assignment “for such a time as this.”
- The Proverbs 31 Woman — Not just a homemaker but an investor, businesswoman, and philanthropist who managed her household with excellence and purpose.
Their example tells us something important: God does not separate spiritual life from practical life. Our ability to manage money, build businesses, and make wise investments is part of our spiritual stewardship.
2. From Struggle to Stewardship
In South Africa, women face persistent financial struggles:
- Wage inequality means women often earn less than men for the same work.
- Many households are single-income, with women as sole providers.
- Debt — from personal loans to store accounts — is a financial trap.
- Limited access to affordable investment tools and financial education.
But God’s Word shows us the way forward:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…” — Luke 16:10
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” — Proverbs 21:5
Practical Strategies to Move from Struggle to Stewardship
- Audit Your Finances — Track every rand you spend for 30 days. Awareness is the first step to change.
- Create a Purpose-Driven Budget — Allocate money for giving, saving, investing, and living — in that order.
- Eliminate High-Interest Debt First — Focus on credit cards, payday loans, and store accounts.
- Build a 3–6 Month Emergency Fund — Start small, even if it’s R200 a month.
- Learn to Multiply, Not Just Manage Money — Savings are good, but investments grow wealth.
3. Wealth with Purpose
In the Kingdom, wealth is never just for self-enrichment. God blesses us so we can be a blessing (Genesis 12:2).
Ways to Grow Wealth with Purpose
- Start Small, Think Big — R100 invested monthly in a high-interest account or ETF can grow significantly over time.
- Learn a Skill or Side Hustle — Whether it’s digital marketing, baking, tutoring, or trading, extra income streams create security.
- Teach Financial Literacy — Equip your children and younger women with money skills you never learned.
- Support Women-Owned Businesses — Every rand spent can build another woman’s dream.
- Invest in Your Community — Sponsor a girl’s education, contribute to a local cause, or mentor other women.
Pro Tip: Treat every rand you earn like a seed. Ask yourself, If I plant this seed here, what fruit will it produce?
4. Breaking Generational Patterns
For many, money was a source of tension or silence growing up. But God is raising women who will be cycle breakers.
Steps to Break Generational Financial Struggles
- Learn Before You Leap — Educate yourself before taking on debt or investment opportunities.
- Build Assets, Not Just Income — Property, shares, and businesses outlive salaries.
- Document and Teach — Share financial lessons with your children and family.
- Model Discipline — Let your lifestyle reflect wise stewardship, not instant gratification.
One woman’s decision to change her financial future can influence three to four generations after her.
5. Call to Action: Rise and Build
Women’s Day is more than celebration — it’s a charge to action. You have the power to shape your household’s financial future and influence your community.
At Elevate Finance Partners, we equip women with practical tools and biblical principles for financial freedom.
Closing Blessing
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” — Proverbs 31:25
May you rise in wisdom, walk in abundance, and steward your resources with grace. This Women’s Day, remember: You are a rock, a vessel of purpose, and a builder of lasting wealth in God’s Kingdom.