A blended finance model aimed at unlocking SME ownership for women is gaining traction in the franchising sector.
By combining grants and loans with mentorship, the programme is turning long-serving employees into business owners and reshaping how franchise ownership is funded.
Sorbet Group and Bidvest Bank recently marked a milestone under the Bidvest Bank Sorbet-Preneur programme with the handover of the Sorbet Howard Centre franchise to long-serving employee Zelma Matinise, the sixth franchise awarded through the initiative.
Designed to support women from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, the initiative is transitioning employment into business ownership.
The Sorbet-Preneur model provides 50% of start-up capital as a grant, with the remaining 50% structured as a repayable business loan. Franchise partners also receive 12 months of mentorship, covering operational management, leadership skills, and business strategy.
“Through our partnership with Sorbet, Bidvest Bank is able to provide driven women with the funding, mentorship and resources necessary to build viable businesses, not just access capital,” said Andile Mazwai, managing director of Bidvest Bank.
The programme recognises operational experience and long-term commitment as key qualifications for ownership, offering a pathway for employees who might otherwise be excluded from franchising due to financial barriers.
Matinise did not just progress from employee to owner, her journey with Sorbet began in 2014 through the Sorbet Empowering Wo+Men (SEW) programme. Over 12 years, she progressed from a Level 5 Nail Technician to leadership roles, culminating in her qualification for franchise ownership.
“This opportunity is truly a dream come true. Sorbet and Bidvest Bank have played a significant role in shaping who I am today as a business professional,” Matinise said.
“I’m committed to building a strong team and sharing what I’ve learned to help others grow within the brand.”
The 37-year-old Matinise added that her entrepreneurial interests were inspired by watching her hardworking aunt build businesses while growing up in Peelton, East London.
Clicks Group, which owns Sorbet, said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to develop leadership and ownership opportunities within its network.
“Sorbet is about more than beauty, but it’s about people and unlocking their potential,” said Linda Sinclair, head of Beauty and Wellness Investments at Clicks Group.
“Zelma’s journey shows what is possible when opportunity, education and support come together to create meaningful economic participation.”
With six franchises now awarded, the programme demonstrates a scalable approach to creating sustainable, women-owned SMMEs in franchising, addressing both funding constraints and skills development.
“By combining grants, loans, and mentorship, this model is helping women entrepreneurs overcome traditional barriers and grow businesses that contribute to the economy,” Sinclair said.
Industry observers note that initiatives like Sorbet-Preneur could serve as a blueprint for other sectors, where access to capital continues to limit women’s participation in business ownership. By leveraging existing employee experience and pairing it with financial and operational support, the programme is helping to expand the pool of women-owned SMMEs while maintaining commercial viability.
“This is proof that when opportunity meets support, women-owned SMMEs don’t just survive but they thrive,” Mazwai added, ending the handover ceremony on a note of optimism for future entrepreneurs.
Azwi@vutivibusiness.co.za
