In a landscape where women entrepreneurs face systemic hurdles, the story of Jameela Badat, founder of Theba Realtors, serves as a powerful testament to the impact of resilience and education.
Her journey from financial strain and self-doubt to becoming a successful business owner, mother, and cancer survivor underscores the importance of knowledge and self-belief for women in business.
Badat’s path into the competitive real estate sector was not one of privilege, but of necessity. “To be honest, it started off where I was financially strained and, at that same time, I struggled with self-confidence,” she shared in a recent interview with Salaamedia.
The turning point came from a challenging experience with a property valuation, which opened her eyes to the power of knowledge in the industry. This realisation propelled her, at the age of 36, to return to night school to complete her matric—a decision she describes as her “stepping stone.”
Her story is not just one of professional ambition but also of profound personal trials. While building her business, Badat navigated immense family challenges, including her son’s struggle with addiction and her daughter’s post-natal depression.
“Both situations tested me as a mother, and it impacted me in my family life,” she revealed. Yet, through “faith, support, and determination,” she and her family overcame these hardships, emerging stronger. For Badat, this holistic approach is the true measure of success. “True success is not just about money or status. It’s about also having faith, living with purpose, and being at peace with oneself and one’s journey in life,” she explained.
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Overcoming systemic barriers
Badat’s experiences reflect the broader challenges faced by female entrepreneurs across South Africa. A comprehensive 2023 study by the Competition Commission of South Africa, titled ‘Promoting Effective Entry and Participation of Women Entrepreneurs in the South African Economy‘, confirms that these are not isolated incidents but systemic issues.
The report identifies key barriers that hinder women’s ability to enter and compete effectively in the market, including unequal access to business knowledge, finance and profitable markets.
The commission found that women entrepreneurs are often concentrated in lower-income sectors and that gender-based barriers are compounded by societal norms and historical inequalities. Many women, like Badat, face the challenge of not being “taken seriously” and the constant struggle of “juggling family and work.”
The report highlights that a lack of access to education and training is a significant barrier, stifling growth and the ability to seize opportunities. This finding validates Badat’s core advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Invest in as much education as they can get, because that opens doors and builds confidence.”
Globally, the push for greater female participation in commerce is gaining momentum. Increased involvement of women is seen as crucial for bringing new ideas and perspectives to the business world. However, as noted in studies, women are often more constrained by their social and political environments than men, facing hurdles in securing adequate capital and training.
Despite these challenges, the number of female-owned businesses is growing at a significant rate in many parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, signalling a positive shift.
Badat’s journey demonstrates how personal resolve can challenge and overcome structural obstacles. Her advice for young women wanting to start a business is rooted in her own life lessons: build strong, supportive relationships, believe in yourself, and stay true to your values.
Her story reinforces a powerful message for all women in business: education is empowerment, and it is never too late to pursue it. By investing in themselves, women not only uplift their own lives but also create a lasting legacy for their families and communities, proving that teaching a woman is indeed like “teaching a nation.” This dedication makes her a true inspiration for women in business.
