Abstract:
Black African women entrepreneurs are increasingly entering male-dominated
environments. Research based on the challenges faced by Black African women in maledominated
entrepreneurial sectors is lacking within the African context. The main objective
of the study was therefore to explore the challenges faced by Black African women
entrepreneurs in predominantly male-dominated environments.
A qualitative approach focusing on the life stories was used to collect data from 12 Black
African women entrepreneurs in diverse South African male dominated sectors.
The results reveal that there is still a distorted view of what women can or cannot do related
to the impact of the African culture on the experiences of these women in their
entrepreneurial endeavours. Patriarchy is still prevalent in the African culture and negatively
impacts the women’s entrepreneurial ventures. This results in the women negotiating and
renegotiating their professional and cultural identities in overcoming societal strictures to
their entrepreneurial ventures.
The study provides valuable information on how Black African women’s professional and
cultural identities are impacted when operating in predominantly male-dominated
environments. The study also provides the limitations and recommendations for future
research.
