As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, our newsfeeds fill with praise for women who are breaking barriers, leading companies, and transforming communities. But behind many of these polished success stories lies a quieter truth: women entrepreneurs are burning out, that is emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Burnout is often described as the cost of ambition. But for women in business, it’s not just ambition; it’s survival. The pressure to provide, lead, nurture, and hustle in a system that still doesn’t fully support them, which is relentless and often exhausting.
Women entrepreneurs wear multiple hats. They are CEOs, administrators, marketers, and, when the workday ends, they become caregivers, partners, and emotional anchors at home.
Unlike many of their male counterparts, women often can’t compartmentalise or simply separate personal and professional responsibilities. The…
