Special Edition: #WomensMonth

Welcome to our Women’s Month 2026 Special Edition newsletter.

#WomensMonth: Special Edition Newsletter 2026 Welcome to our Women’s Month 2026 Special Edition newsletter. In South Africa, August is Women’s Month, with 9 August celebrated as Women’s Day, in a tribute to the more than 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. While this month raises awareness of the persistent inequalities, discrimination and abuse of rights experienced by women today, and shows commitment towards achieving the aims and aspirations of those brave women of 1956, it also highlights the achievements of women in business across all industries, from marketing to mining. This year’s sponsor, GoTyme Bank, certainly highlights women's achievements and their commitment to excellence and support of outstanding women across South Africa. Bizcommunity’s Women's Month features stories that celebrate and highlight the inspiring journeys, achievements, and insights of remarkable and influential women and their significant contributions to their fields. WE INVITE YOU TO READ ALL WOMEN'S MONTH CONTENT HERE>> The Biz Editorial Team LOGISTICS Lebogang Moabelo breaks transport and logistics barriers ROBIN FREDERICKS Lebogang Moabelo is challenging the barriers facing women in logistics... Bongiwe Mkhwanazi isn’t afraid to dream big MAROEFAH SMITH Bongiwe Mkhwanazi is leading Engen Lubricants’ HSEQ compliance... read Tshegofatso Stone: From creator to communicator KARABO LEDWABA Tshegofatso Stone built a loyal following as the creator behind Cucumbers & Cream... read GoTyme Bank's Lucia Malapane: The future of financial inclusion KATJA HAMILTON GoTymeBank empowers women through digital banking... read The young women changing the game in strategy KARABO LEDWABA Strategy is changing, and so are the women shaping it...  Pepkor's Konaye Dlatu: Leaving an impact EVAN-LEE COURIE Konaye Dlatu is the trailblazer behind Pepkor's digital strategy...  Shaping the future of food across East and Southern Africa Growing up in Dundee, Nithal Soni Ramjee never imagined she would one day help shape the future of food across East and Southern Africa...  Building businesses where creativity, culture and impact converge EVAN-LEE COURIE Sheralle Maclou says the creative economy presents significant opportunity for female entrepreneurs...  Meet Esmie, the bargain-hunter behind The Fab Cheapskate CHLOE POSTHUMUS The Fab Cheapskate has turned savvy shopping, seriously stylish finds and a love of a good bargain into a strong social media community...  Every woman has a story: 4 leadership lessons Four women from Digitas share their leadership lessons…  Danone's Lungile Mbatha talks commercial leadership, AI and consumer changes EVAN-LEE COURIE This Women's Month, Mbatha offers insights into consumer change, commercial leadership, and creating long-lasting enterprises...  Samsung Africa CMO Kgomotso Mannya on why representation isn’t enough IMRAN SALIE Mannya has led brands across African markets...  Lebo Moeng on resilience, culture, and building a North West tourism business ROBIN FREDERICKS Former banker Lebo Moeng turned a Section 189 retrenchment notice into Letsatsing Lodge...  Nadia Jaftha on pushing SA’s creator economy from influence to ownership EVAN-LEE COURIE Behind the polished social media feeds, Jaftha, co-founder of Ace Labs, is a businesswoman who has deliberately shifted her focus from being the face of brands to building businesses...  Catherine Entwistle’s vision for a historic Winelands estate KATJA HAMILTON What began as a neglected farm has become a thriving Winelands destination — but the real story lies in how Val du Charron transformed without losing its soul...  Triple Eight puts women’s sports at the heart of brand growth ISSUED BY TRIPLE EIGHT As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, integrated marketing agency Triple Eight is marking its 14th year in business with the official launch of Triple Eight Sports Marketing...  Janeke Schroeder proves her worth through hard work in winemaking ROBIN FREDERICKS Janeke Schroeder is carving out her place in South Africa's wine industry...  Standard Bank’s Linda Oniwe on backing Africa’s next tech boom IMRAN SALIE She reflects on the career milestones that have shaped her, the challenges of being a woman in senior finance and technology spaces...  Women shaping AI global creative work from South Africa ISSUED BY BRANDTECH+ As generative AI transforms marketing, South African women are helping redefine how creative work gets made for global brands...  AI's opportunity for women in PR AWANDE MOTSOHI Awande Motsohi, account director at Magna Carta Reputation Management Consultants, says AI is presenting an interesting opportunity for women in PR…  Edna Mohale: Living much more deliberately in her purpose DANETTE BREITENBACH Edna Mohale talks about her journey as an entrepreneur, strategist, marketer, innovator, advisor, a boardroom partner, industry judge and business builder...  First woman to lead Engen’s Langlaagte is fuelled up to break more barriers MAROEFAH SMITH It may be one small step for Lerato Ntuli, but it’s one giant leap for women in the fuels industry...  You make the space; don't wait for the industry to make space for you The women leading Provantage are rewriting what leadership looks like in media, operations, finance and sales. And they have a few things to say about it...  Sarah Frazee on gender equity, community carbon, and transforming agriculture ROBIN FREDERICKS Sarah Frazeeshe founded Meat Naturally Africa to create direct market access for communal livestock farmers...  Clicks’ Fionna Ronnie says retail leaders need curiosity and courage EVAN-LEE COURIE Women's Month is about empowering more women to lead, says Fiona Ronnie...  MultiChoice launches #SheCanBe: Celebrating Her Being. Defining Her Potential. Writing Her Future. MultiChoice Launches She Can Be campaign in celebration of women...  Why financial resilience matters to the household economy NITA MORGAN Women’s financial resilience underpins stronger households and South Africa’s economy, highlighting the need for financial education, protection and responsible credit access...  Nicole Hapgood-Strickland on engineering corporate wear for real-world use EVAN-LEE COURIE For Nicole Hapgood-Strickland, fashion is about far more than what meets the eye...  OneDayOnly’s Laurian Venter puts people at the centre of e-commerce growth EVAN-LEE COURIE Laurian Venter, director at OneDayOnly, says some of her greatest role models are the women she works alongside every day...  Mondelez South Africa's Juliet Tshele on what it takes to lead as a woman EVAN-LEE COURIE Understand people, understand the business, and never lose sight of the bigger picture. This is the leadership philosophy of Juliet Tshele...  From the warehouse floor to the boardroom ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Leeanne Soobramoney, executive: client services, POP Warehouse, has worked through frontline operational roles, managed stock, navigated operational crises, served clients directly and built executive strategy...  Firdous Osman on taking the leap to build Dopemine KARABO LEDWABA Firdous Osman has spent her career turning ambitious ideas into award-winning work...  Thinkerneur launches WISA: A new era for African women in sustainability and leadership ISSUED BY THINKERNEUR Today marks a strategic turning point in the African corporate landscape as Thinkerneur Sustainable Impact (TSI) officially announces the launch of the Women in Sustainability Assembly (WiSA)...  Fuelled by sisterhood, Engen’s Melissa Graham is ready to strike oil MAROEFAH SMITH Engen Lubricants’ marketing manager, Melissa Graham, is ready to lead the way for women in SA’s petroleum industry...  The Odd Number’s Mbali Mchunu: Africa should export strategic thinking, not stereotypes KARABO LEDWABA Clios-recognised strategist Mbali Mchunu on women, power and why representation means little if it cannot change the work...  Thuthukile Moloto on building a career from the ground up in hospitality ROBIN FREDERICKS Thuthukile Moloto's hospitality career has been shaped by opportunity, resilience and a commitment to developing people...  South Africa’s consumer-class women are rewriting the rules of modern womanhood ISSUED BY BRANDMAPP While the Trad Wife has become a global social media archetype, the reality of consumer class women in South Africa tells a grittier story of modern womanhood...  Janet Pillai is taking South Africa on a jetsetting journey, no passport required CHLOE POSTHUMUS Janet Pillai is embracing curiosity, championing South African stories and making space for the women coming next...  Massmart's Unathi Kildase says "leadership in retail is ultimately about people" EVAN-LEE COURIE This Women's Month, Kildase shares insights into purposeful leadership and creating pathways for women in retail...  Stellantis’ Evanie Vather on women, leadership and automotive IMRAN SALIE For #WomensMonth, we do a Q&A with Stellantis South Africa's Evanie Vather to celebrate the women shaping the automotive industry...  WomensMonth | Tafadzwa Penny: A career is not just a ladder, it is a becoming TAFADZWA PENNY Tafadzwa Penny, strategy director at Machine_, looks at the leadership story you will one day get to tell…  Women who build: The business lessons no one teaches you ISSUED BY GOTYME FOR BUSINESS The most valuable lessons in business aren't found in textbooks...  In sales, trust is the real currency ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Airport Ads head of sales Adele Williams has spent her career in the business of trust...  Stressed and blessed: South African women are not doing well MAROEFAH SMITH Like RHONY OG Dorinda Medley, SA women are saying, “I’ll tell you how I’m doing: not well, b*tch!”...  Empowered women are essential to a resilient circular economy PATRICIA PILLAY The goal should not be temporary inclusion but long-term participation in formal, resilient recycling value chains...  Confidence is built, not born ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Antoinette Abrahams will tell you that confidence is not something you arrive with. It is something you build…  Beer Association of SA's Nirishi Trikamjee on reshaping the beer industry EVAN-LEE COURIE Nirishi Trikamjee, interim CEO of the Beer Association of South Africa (Basa), reflects on why the future of the beer industry depends on greater gender diversity...  Lee-Anne Singer champions the next generation of tourism leaders ROBIN FREDERICKS Lee-Anne Singer, chairperson of Fedhasa Cape, reflects on nearly 30 years in tourism...  Barbara Mdunge breaks barriers behind the lens ISSUED BY NEWZROOM AFRIKA A cameraperson is a storyteller in motion, capturing history as it happens...  Kayleigh Fazan believes retail's future depends on investing in people EVAN-LEE COURIE Through the International Retail Academy, Fazan is helping retailers transform customer experience...  VW's Carin Coates on navigating a 20-year automotive career IMRAN SALIE For #WomensMonth, we speak to Carin Coates about her 20-year journey with the Volkswagen brand...  Bowmans' Lerato Thahane: Women don't need more laws, they need better implementation SHAN RADCLIFFE This Women's Month, Bowmans' partner Lerato Thahane discusses the best way to protect women's rights, and what the profession really needs from young female attorneys...  Wonga’s Monica Hitge on the importance of being financially independent MAROEFAH SMITH Oscar Wilde may have thought it important to be earnest, but for SA women, it’s important to be financially independent...  MTF alumna, Nomvuselelo Dlamini is finding her place in film and making room for the next wave ISSUED BY MULTICHOICE For Nomvuselelo Dlamini, building a career in film has meant learning to embrace both the uncertainty and possibility that comes with working in a creative industry...  Suzuki’s Eileen Gengan on finding her voice and leading authentically IMRAN SALIE For Women’s Month, Gengan reflects on the unexpected career path that brought her back to automotive...  What happens after we get a seat at the table? KYLA BOOYSEN Kyla Booysen, head of client service at Special Effects Media, asks: "We fought for a seat at the table, but what happens now that we’re sitting at it?"...  Influence begins within: The women helping move Kena Outdoor forward KARABO CHAUKE, ISSUED BY KENA OUTDOOR Kena Outdoor recognises three leaders whose work across operations, finance and organisational leadership is turning the company’s 'from inventory to influence' ambition into daily practice...  Shabnum Dawood on supply chain resilience, leadership, and women in logistics ROBIN FREDERICKS Shabnum Dawood shares why women must own their seat at the table and help shape the future of global supply chains...  Women’s Month at Up&Up Group: The Woman Behind the Title ISSUED BY THE UP&UP GROUP The Up&Up Group has transformed its regular “Fire Sessions”, a learning platform for its graduates and interns, into a special edition series this Women’s Month called “The Woman Behind the Title”...  PepsiCo's Suraya Hamdulay on leading with purpose, trust and the courage to keep growing EVAN-LEE COURIE Having worked across multiple African markets, Hamdulay has seen the contribution women are already making to business, entrepreneurship and community development...  Pnet Job Market Trends Report for August 2026: How SA women are embracing AI in the workplace ISSUED BY PNET Based on analysis of 1.5 million South African jobseeker profiles, the Women’s Month edition of the report shows how South African women are narrowing the artificial intelligence (AI) skills gap with their male counterparts...  Leadership lessons from the women at Philip Morris SA Six women leading Philip Morris SA on the obstacles they met, the leadership styles they built, and their advice to younger women…  Who runs the beauty world? Girls | Q&A with Skin Functional’s Shannon Dougall MAROEFAH SMITH Skin Functional founder Shannon Dougall took a break from building her skincare empire to talk to Biz for Women’s Month...  Game Plan Consulting (GPC): Transforming player data into sustainable growth ISSUED BY GAME PLAN CONSULTING Led by industry veteran Shanta Segabon, Game Plan Consulting (GPC) brings more than 15 years of hands-on iGaming experience to help operators strengthen retention, build lasting player loyalty, and maximise long-term player value...  FNB’s Palesa Moeletsi on turning the hustle into a sustainable business IMRAN SALIE Moeletsi reflects on the resilience of entrepreneurs, the challenges still facing women in business and why supporting SMEs requires more...  HPM's Lynn Madeley: The power behind successful leadership lies in confidence SHAN RADCLIFFE This Women's Month, HPM's Lynn Madeley reveals her secret to great leadership...  Women are rewriting the traditional financial journey MANDISA THEKO-KHITSANE Mandisa Theko-Khitsane, marketing executive, Sanlam Retail Mass, says South African women are earning more, saving differently, and increasingly deciding how the country's money moves...  Nelisiwe Shiluvana on rising to top finance role at Famous Brands EVAN-LEE COURIE Famous Brands’ group financial director reflects on mentorship, resilience, technology and the importance of creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders...  Property valuations are shifting — here’s how KATJA HAMILTON Sara Winstone explores PropTech’s evolution, women’s growing influence, AI’s potential and the need for a connected, transparent and trusted property ecosystem...  Character is built in the difficult seasons ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE At her core Tanya Van Tonder is a builder...  Impact is not just a word for SAB Foundation’s Sarah Mthintso MAROEFAH SMITH For #WomensMonth on Bizcommunity, Sarah Mthintso talks about lasting and meaningful impact...  Maybe we should stop celebrating Women's Day MELANIE CAMPBELL, ISSUED BY HOORAH DIGITAL In the UK advertising industry, women reached 46% of c-suite respondents in 2025. Yet only 24% of Europe's top creative-award recognition between 2019 and 2023 went to women...  Engen’s Vanessa Moorthi-Moodley is giving women a seat at the petroleum table MAROEFAH SMITH As the eldest daughter, Vanessa Moorthi-Moodley used that drive to fuel her rise in the largely male-dominated sector, and now she’s making more space at the table...  The Artscape's Marlene le Roux on leading with inclusion, compassion and courage EVAN-LEE COURIE Bizcommunity caught up with Artscape CEO, Marlene le Roux...  Building leadership by saying yes first ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Jorja Wilkins, GM - Future Media and Sustainability, works at the intersection of technology, innovation and sustainability, driven by a desire to build something new...  PayJoy’s Michelle Wynne on breaking barriers in tech IMRAN SALIE For #WomensMonth, we speak to PayJoy’s Michelle Wynne about building a career across FMCG, telecommunications, consumer technology...  Operational excellence has no gender ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE National operations manager Vinette Scott entered operations because she was drawn to its complexity, its accountability and the tangible satisfaction of building something that works at scale...  Infinite Industries’ Maggie Bozic Infante is taking SA’s circular economy to infinity and beyond Infinite Industries’ Maggie Bozic Infante talks about challenges, strengths and pride of running a business...  Why women need to be thought leaders MARILIZE JACOBS Marilize Jacobs explores what a subject matter expert is vs. a thought leader and why women get stuck at "sme" (and how to break out)...  From waitress to GM: Jessica Redinger on leading people and building careers ROBIN FREDERICKS Jessica Redinger's 25-year hospitality career has been shaped by people, perseverance and a belief that authentic leadership creates stronger teams...  Women need to stop holding one another back ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE As general manager of Field Force, Carmen Brown manages one of Provantage's largest and most geographically distributed teams...  Believe you belong at the table ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Lorette Davids holds a role where precision and accountability are not optional. As group financial manager at Provantage, the quality of her work flows through to decisions that affect the entire business...  Building people so they don't need you ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Karen Franklin grew up under tougher than average circumstances. She will tell you that this is relevant context because it meant she learned to roll with the punches early on...  Building a legacy measured in people ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Thandekile Mosepele has spent more than eleven years in an industry where market conditions can change overnight and performance is visible in real time...  A little reminder to book that Pap smear this Women’s Month CHLOE POSTHUMUS Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers affecting women, yet screening can still be one of those appointments we keep putting off...  Women still the primary decision-makers in SA homes ISSUED BY CAXTON MEDIA Brand owners and marketers think they know South African women, but do they really?..  SANBWA's Charlotte Metcalf on why purpose, proof and persistence matter in water stewardship EVAN-LEE COURIE For Metcalf, water stewardship has moved beyond being a corporate social responsibility consideration. It is becoming a question of resilience and survival...  Talintha-Lee de Kock says women can lead supply chains ROBIN FREDERICKS B-well team leader: warehouse and inventory Talintha-Lee de Kock has built a career in supply chain...  Women shouldn't just adapt to AI. They should shape it TANYA LILLEY, ISSUED BY BRANDTECH+ There is a lot of conversation about what artificial intelligence will do to jobs...  Nobuhle Magwentshu brews a bigger future for African coffee ROBIN FREDERICKS Asmara Coffee founder Nobuhle Magwentshu has grown her African coffee brand...  Retroviral’s Koketso Masisi: Success should be multiplied DANETTE BREITENBACH Retroviral’s executive creative director, Koketso Masisi, talks about empowering women...  The doctor-turned-entrepreneur who’s making an impact on SA women’s health MAROEFAH SMITH Dr Mathobela Matjekane spoke to Bizcommunity about improving health outcomes for SA women, holistic women’s health, and empowerment...  Brave Collective’s Taryn Hunter Sharman: Inspiring African women to redefine success DANETTE BREITENBACH The Brave Collective's Fortune Favours the Brave. Own It. takes place this week, Wednesday, 5 August. Bizcommunity talks to Taryn Hunter Sharman, the co-founder of the Brave Collective...  Isuzu’s Nandi Matomela on taking up space in automotive For #WomensMonth, Matomela reflects on her career in the automotive industry...  Fairlady Hot! Time Out is back! ISSUED BY MEDIA24 Fairlady Hot! Time Out, is the honest, informative and empowering women in peri-or menopause need, and it’s coming back to The Venue, Melrose Arch on Saturday, 19 September 2026...  Gagasi FM celebrates a decade of extraordinary women at the 10th annual Shero Awards 2026 ISSUED BY GAGASI FM Gagasi FM is proud to announce the 10th Annual Gagasi FM Shero Awards, taking place on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Oceans Mall, Umhlanga, under this year’s vibrant theme, “Pretty in Pink"...  Elizabeth George on finding confidence in the wine cellar ROBIN FREDERICKS After 28 years at Groot Constantia, Elizabeth George has built a career around continuous learning, experimentation and the confidence to make her voice heard in a male-dominated industry...  What happens when safer spaces become a business’s most powerful legacy? Jennifer Erasmus explains. KATJA HAMILTON CFO and executive director of Trellidor on building safer communities, one space at a time...  Niki Giles on building financial freedom, one decision at a time KATJA HAMILTON Niki Giles, Head of Strategy at Prescient Fund Services  Stop measuring success by applause ISSUED BY PROVANTAGE Delia Condé doesn't measure success by who gets the credit...  Alison McKie on rethinking leadership in a changing hospitality industry ROBIN FREDERICKS Alison McKie, GM of Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront, brings a different perspective on leading through change...  Herold Gie's Khanyisa Monqo: Your circumstances do not determine the life you create SHAN RADCLIFFE Khanyisa Monqo, associate at Herold Gie Attorneys, discusses meaningful change in the workplace...  How SA women are driving the AI workforce revolution NANCY DUSANI South African women are rapidly adopting generative AI skills—now the challenge is moving from tool usage to building, leading, and shaping the AI economy...  Entries open for the 5th edition of Jacaranda FM’s Her Perfect Pitch ISSUED BY JACARANDA FM South Africa’s award-winning female entrepreneurship campaign returns this Women’s Month, offering over R2m in total prizes, expert mentorship, and life-changing media amplification...  GVK-Siya Zama’s Chadé Bowles: “Safety cannot be driven by paperwork alone” Leading with purpose: Shaping a stronger safety culture in construction...  Your brand says women can lead. What does your AI say? ISSUED BY ICANDI CQ Are AI assistants, employee bots and automated systems entrenching the gender roles and prejudices companies claim to be dismantling?...  Prescient Securities' Surette Drew: What women in finance need to know KATJA HAMILTON During Women's Month, Surette Drew reflects on trading's evolution, leadership, resilience, mentorship and why greater diversity strengthens South Africa's financial markets...  Letitia Herold helps put Lepas on SA's automotive map IMRAN SALIE For Women’s Month, Herold discusses the challenges and opportunities of building a new automotive brand...  WM&R Naturals’ Thato Bosealetse is boosting SA’s beauty economy MAROEFAH SMITH The hair-raising entrepreneur is using her natural haircare brand to glorify women’s crowns in more ways than one...  Lorna Solomon on tourism, heritage and women's opportunity ROBIN FREDERICKS Lorna Solomon has spent two decades at Groot Constantia, welcoming visitors and sharing the estate's wine, history and heritage with people from around the world...  Nomtha Twala champions confidence and authentic leadership in luxury hospitality ROBIN FREDERICKS Nomtha Twala, general manager of The Alexander Estate, reflects on building a career in luxury hospitality,...  Why the best marketing leaders don't always start in marketing ISSUED BY PENQUIN Penquin managing director, Mandy Davis, hopes her own career journey sends an important message to the next generation: your starting point doesn't determine where you'll end up...  FOLLOW US List company List CV List new business List portfolio showcase List profile Submit event Submit gallery Submit job ad Submit new appointment Submit news Submit noticeboard Submit op-ed contribution Home My job ads My events My company My CV Advertising: We welcome your sales enquiries! 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