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    Top Women Awards: A key empowerment opportunity for women in business

    In a world of gender imbalance in the boardroom, women can still show up with confidence, control, and authority.
    Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media
    Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media

    While the numbers on women in business may appear to be encouraging, it is evident that there is still a long way to go. There are many barriers that prevent women from completely empowering themselves, some of which arise from concerns that have traditionally taken root in the minds of many. Recognising them aids in their eradication.

    “Empowerment is an ongoing process,” says Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, organiser of the annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards. “This entails questioning long-held cultural conventions that are detrimental to women. Empowerment campaigns also push for changes in laws and practices that are discriminatory or unjust to women.”

    Are you ready to highlight your gender empowerment?

    The prestigious Standard Bank Top Women Awards, taking place on 10 November 2022, recognise and honour outstanding leadership, inspiration, vision, and innovation in organisations that help women rise to the top of the economic ladder.

    “If you are a businesswoman, it is time to take more firm steps toward your empowerment,” says Fletcher. “And if you have women on your team, it is your responsibility to foster a culture that supports their participation in your company or organisation. Empowering yourself and/or others helps to expand your business, the economy, and the establishment of more diverse and inclusive workplaces.”

    Featuring corporate and individual awards, these annual awards recognise and honour outstanding leadership, inspiration, vision, and innovation in organisations that help women rise to the top of the economic ladder. Covering all key economic areas and recognising businesses at all levels, from SMME to national.

    “Today's empowered woman is tomorrow's leader for change,” emphasises Fletcher.

    Reasons to enter

    As a business leader, you know recognition is important. Award and quality marks can improve your organisation's reputation and set you apart from the competition. They can also increase morale by highlighting your employees' accomplishments. Here are five more reasons to participate in this year's Top Women Awards:

    • Winning a Top Women Award entitles you to a range of digital collateral to help you promote your gender-empowered status.

    • Winners will receive PR and multi-channel marketing exposure, promoting their winning status on our website and to our email subscribers.

    • Participating in the awards is a terrific way to honour your employees and build your brand by measuring your performance against South Africa’s most gender-empowered companies.

    • A nomination will differentiate your business from competitors and raise your profile to attract investors and key industry stakeholders.

    • You will get the opportunity to network with other businesspeople who are enthusiastic about gender empowerment.

    Enter the Top Women Awards today.

    Looking back at the 2021 Standard Bank Top Women Awards

    The 18th annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards, which aimed to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, took place on the evening of 4 November 2021. The awards recognise people who have had a considerable influence on women in South Africa by their unwavering vision and innovative leadership. Every year, about eight hundred critical decision-makers attend the ceremony.

    Previous winners have gone on to achieve greater success such as representing the country at a UN level. Sponsors included Servest, SANBI, and Boschendal.

    To see the full list of Top Women Past Winners and finalists, visit https://www.topbusinesswomen.co.za/awards/

    Winners

    Top Business Woman of the Year Award – sponsored by Standard Bank: Leila Fourie – Johannesburg Stock Exchange

    Top Women Young Achiever – sponsored by Standard Bank: Charmagne Mavudzi – Volvo SA

    Top Women Empowered Company: Diversity in the Workplace – sponsored by Servest: Unilever

    Top Women Business of the Year Award – sponsored by Boschendal: Institute of Directors in South Africa

    Top Women Empowered Company: Skills Development – sponsored by Ekurhuleni West TVET College: The Skills Development Corporation

    Top Women Public Sector Leader Award – sponsored by Motheo TVET College: Chantelle Martin Strauss – Department of Small Business Development

    Top Women in Tech Award: Priya Thakoor, Vodacom

    Top Women in Science Award: Mogaleadi Seabela, Anglo American

    Top Women Empowered Company: Corporate Citizenship Award: Adcock Ingram

    Top Women Empowered Company: Fast Growth Women-owned SMME: Torque Solutions

    Top Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Thandeka Ndlovu-Mngomezulu, Total Serve Facilities Management

    Top Women Empowered Company: Resources, Construction & Infrastructure – sponsored by TEG Group: Turner & Townsend

    Top Women in Property Award: Lettie Mashau, Motheo Construction Group

    Top Women Empowered Company in Youth Development: Unilever

    Top Women Empowered Company: Public Sector Award – sponsored by Public Sector Leaders: National Agricultural Marketing Council

    Top Women Empowered Company: Health & Pharmaceutical Award: Adcock Ingram

    Top Women Empowered Company: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental – sponsored by SANBI: Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions

    Top Women Empowered Company: Retail & E-commerce Award: Vodacom

    Top Women Lifetime Achievement Award: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

    Top Women Lifetime Achievement Award: Irene Charnley

    Top Women in Sports Award: Tatjana Schoenmaker

    Top Women in Sports Award: Kgothatso Montjane

    Top Women in Sports Award: Bianca Buitendag

    Enter the Top Women Awards today.

    2021 Top Women Finalists

    Top Businesswoman of The Year:
    Founder & CEO, Annette Stewart – Stewart Attorneys
    Group CEO, Charmaine Mabuza – Ithuba Holdings
    CEO, Emma Mashilwane – Masa Risk Advisory
    Deputy CEO, Janine George – Carrol Boyes
    CEO, Leila Fourie – Johannesburg Stock Exchange
    CEO, Lyn Mansour – KLM Empowered
    SA country director, Melicia Labuschagne – Liqui Moly
    Acting assistant GM, Mpho Modisane – Airports Company Sa
    Head of Digital Africa Solutions, Pamela Mkhize – Enel Green
    ME, Priya Thakoor – Vodacom
    CEO, Parmi Natesan – Institute of Directors in South Africa
    Commercial director, Rumisha Motilal – Gilbarco
    CEO, Sholain Perumal – The Gold Bar
    CEO, Wendy Alberts – Restaurant Association of South Africa

    Top Woman Young Achiever – sponsored by Boschendal:
    Co-founder & managing director, Alexandra Miszewski – Novita Biotechnology
    MD Farah Moosa – Neonhive Management
    Founder Innocentia Mahlangu – Hatch & Shengineers
    Senior account manager, Lerato Chiyangwa – Apo Group
    Fleet Business head, Lizelle Erasmus – Tiauto Investment
    Contract manager, Mampho Sotshongaye – Golden Rewards
    Section manager, Mogaleadi Seabela – Anglo American
    Supply chain procurement expert, Nadina Singh – Tetrapak
    Marketing director, Natasha Maharaj – Distell
    Director, Nosihle Mngqibisa – UCT Shawco Law
    Founder & CEO, Pretty Ndlovu – Virtuoso Digital Agency
    Executive director Raksha Naidoo – Synerlytic Analytical Services
    CEO Sma Mathibeli – Calvin & Family
    Head of Marketing & Consumer Experience, Charmagne Mavudzi – Volvo Sa
    Project manager, Kamva Donah Makabane – Cisco Systems
    Founder & executive director, Marie Sebueng – Iams Powerhouse
    Founder & principal, Renisha Bhima – Bonalesedi College
    Founder, Noli Mini – Relax Spa

    Diversity In the Workplace – Sponsored by Servest:
    Ethekwini Municipality
    Gilbarco
    Global Business Solutions
    Seymore Du Toit And Basson
    Tetrapak
    Turner & Townsend
    Unilever

    Skills Development – Sponsored by Ekurhuleni West Tvet College:
    Ekurhuleni East Tvet College
    Goodwork Foundation
    KLM Empowered
    Mancosa
    The Skills Development Corporation
    Total Facilities Management
    Tsebo Group Holdings
    Career Box

    Top Woman Entrepreneur – Sponsored by Standard Bank:
    CEO, Asima Haroon Joosub – Aj5d Projects
    Founder & CEO, Helen Seymour - Nephro Best Dialysis
    Founder, Marie Sebueng - Iams Powerhouse Consulting
    Founder, Mbali Bhengu – Mindswitch
    Founder, Nelisiwe Radebe – Nelly Projects
    Founder, Noli Mini - Relax Spa
    Founder, Nomalanga Sitole - The Voice Within
    CEO, Nomazibulo Tshanga - Ziyana Consulting
    Founder & principal, Renisha Bhima - Bonalesedi College
    Founder & MD, Sally Acton - Torque Solutions
    CEO, Thandeka Ndlovu-Mngomezulu - Total Facilities Management
    Founder & MD, Thandeka Nombanjinji-Nzama - Mbokodo Building
    Founder & MD, Tshego Kekana - Alfa Destiny Communications
    CEO, Xoliswa Daku - Daku Group

    Top Woman in Public Sector Leader – Sponsored by Motheo Tvet College:
    Assistant director, Chantelle Strauss – Department of Small Business Development
    Deputy director: Resource Based Industries, Dr Nthabiseng Maude Mthetwa – Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
    Senior manager – Portfolio Delivery, Gcobisa Mashegoana – Eskom
    GM: Risk Management, Mpho Modisane – Airports Company Sa
    Council member, Shandini Naidoo – National Agricultural Marketing Council
    Acting chief officer, Sonto Mayise – KZN Convention Bureau
    Executive manager, Viwe Mgedezi – Gautrain Management Agency
    PR councillor, Kekeletso Mahlelebe – Democratic Alliance
    CRO, Yvonne Mothibi

    Top Woman in Tech:
    Senior account manager, Lerato Chiyangwa – Apo Group
    MD Linda Botha – Skillstrain Distribution
    CEO Marilyn Radebe –Soma Solutions
    Business director, Mushfiqoh Samodien – Aspire Solutions
    IT Systems manager, Nolwazi Mfingwana Moepeng – Mancosa
    Founder, Pretty Ndlovu – Virtuoso Digital Agency
    ME, Priya Thakoor – Vodacom
    ME, Alexa Terblanche – Exosystems

    Top Women in Science:
    MD Babalwa Fatyi – Myezo Environmental
    Founder, Innocentia Mahlangu – Hatch & Shengineers
    Section manager, Mogaleadi Seabela – Anglo American
    Head of Africa Digital Solutions, Pamela Mkhize – Enel Green
    Director, Phumzile Lembede – Emvelo Quality and Environmental
    Executive director, Reyna Singh – Ng Global Energy Solutions
    MD Simphiwe Mamvura – Maponya 911 Ems

    Youth Development:
    Goodwork Foundation
    The Aurum Institute
    The Skills Development Corporation
    Unilever

    Corporate Citizenship:
    Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions
    Tiauto Investment
    Adcock Ingram
    Ng Global Energy Solutions
    Mdito Business Enterprise

    Retail & E-commerce:
    Carrol Boyes
    Hirsch
    Honey
    The Gold Bar
    The Regency Hotel
    Vodacom

    Fast Growth Women-Owned SMME:
    Golden Rewards
    Myezo Environmental
    Nelly Projects
    The Transformation Legacy
    Torque Solutions
    UCT Shawco Law
    MKG Travel and Tourism

    Resources, Construction & Infrastructure:
    Motheo Construction Group
    Synerlytic Analytical Services
    Turner & Townsend
    WOA Fuels & Oils
    Aj5d Projects

    Public Sector:
    Ekurhuleni East Tvet College
    Ethekwini Municipality
    Gautrain Management Agency
    National Agricultural Marketing Council

    Health & Pharmaceutical:
    Nephro Best Dialysis
    Maponya 911 Ems
    Adcock Ingram
    The Aurum Institute

    Top Woman in Property:
    Founder Bella Mfenyana – Neatela Property
    CEO Dina Soukop – Soukop Property
    CEO Lettie Mashau – Motheo Construction Group
    MD Nomawethu Bolane – The Regency Hotel
    Principal, Thelma Ubisi – Thelma Properties

    Top Male Driving Gender Empowerment:
    MD Leon Hendricks – Dkl Group
    CEO Theo Baloyi – Bathu
    MD Velaphi Ratshefola – Coca-Cola South Africa

    Top Women Business of The Year:
    Daku Group
    Institute Of Directors in South Africa
    Ithuba Holdings
    Restaurant Association of South Africa
    Unilever
    Vodacom
    Mdito Business Enterprise

    Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental:
    Novita Biotechnology
    Nsovo Environmental Consulting
    Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions

    Topco Media
    DYNAMIC BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA Topco Media is one of South Africa's leading business-to-business media houses, producing high profile, relevant conferences and awards. Our conferences include Africa Tech Week, Standard Bank Top Women, Top Empowerment, Future of HR, National Business Awards and Future of Sustainability. We also produce authoritative and informative business and investment publications such as Top 500, Top Empowerment, Nelson Mandela 100 years to name a few.
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