Top businesswomen to judge South Africa's Top Women Awards

Dr Ruth Rabinowitz, Director at MamaEarth is one of the esteemed judges for this year's Top Women Awards, which celebrates and recognises people and companies in the public and private sector who are actively promoting professional women in the workplace. She says that women are essential to sustainable growth.

"As we struggle with the choice between free markets and nationalisation, greater influence of women will contribute towards structuring the appropriate balance between private wealth and social justice. When women get the balance right between heart and head and left and right brain, they take society forward with a combination of vision and compassion. We can't do enough to expose the talented women who are working to the benefit of the country and to help them market themselves, as women are inclined to commit, but not to promote themselves."

Respected business professionals Edna Sathekga, a Transformation Specialist at the South African Breweries and Sonto Mujakachi, Internal Communications Manager at Eskom also form part of the judging panel that will assess entrants across a number of categories that have been formulated to reflect the growing influence of women in all sectors of business and government.

"Women empowerment is fundamental to the promotion of social development and sustainable economic growth," says Sathekga.

"Strong women build strong nations so I am honoured to be a part of this initiative which recognises the achievements of those who are doing so much to empower women."

Karla Fletcher, Associate Publisher for Topco Media, the company behind the initiative, says that this year's event will take place at a glittering gala ceremony at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday, 22 September 2011.

"Entries to the event have been streaming in from top companies such as Anglo American and the Johannesburg Roads Agency who recognise the Awards as a unique opportunity to showcase their gender empowerment success stories and gain massive marketing exposure for their efforts."

Companies who would like to enter this year's Top Women Awards can contact 086 000 9590, email az.oc.ocpot@rehctelf.yelah or visit www.topwomenawards.com. Entries close 19 August 2011.