Black African women in South African male-dominated entrepreneurial environments

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.