“South African women are such an impressive bunch – each year I'm blown away by what our entrants have achieved, and not only in ‘traditional’ female businesses like design and PR. They've done everything – from starting giant construction firms to filling transport gaps with innovative ideas and a whole host of other genius businesses along the way. They are amazing,” says Fairlady editor Suzy Brokensha.
The Fairlady Santam Woman of the Future 2018 award goes to an entrepreneur, 30 years of age or older, who has overcome the challenges of the first three (3) years as an entrepreneur and made it beyond 1,000 days in business. The prize comprises R50,000 cash, an invaluable mentorship session with one of the judges, an Issey Miyake fragrance hamper worth R6,990, an IMM Graduate School short course worth R15,000, a Michel Herbelin watch worth R10,500, a Karissa Biz Bailhandle and Spinner from Samsonite worth R7,298, a Madrid ladies handbag and purse from Jekyll & Hyde valued at R4,799, a Cross pen worth R2,500 and one media training session.
Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, chief marketing officer at title sponsor Santam, says, “As a company that has been in the business landscape for 100 years, we support entrepreneurship as it is vital to the growth of the country's economy. Entrepreneurs are the bloodline of economic growth – they are the source of job creation and engines of innovation. We value our partnership with Fairlady in the Women of the Future initiative – now in its fourth year – as it gives us a platform to honour entrepreneurs who are positively impacting our nation.”
The Fairlady Santam Rising Star 2018 Award goes to an entrepreneur between the ages of 16 and 30 whose business is older than six months but still within its first 1,000 days of business. The prize comprises R20,000 cash, an invaluable mentorship session with one of the judges, a Issey Miyake fragrance hamper worth R6,990, an IMM Graduate School short course worth R15,000, a Michel Herbelin watch worth R10,500, a Karissa Biz Bailhandle and Spinner from Samsonite worth R7,298, a Madrid ladies handbag and purse from Jekyll & Hyde valued at R4,799, a Cross pen worth R2,500 and one media training session.
“There's a new optimism in South Africa, but at Fairlady we have always been optimistic. We're all about the future, and we believe in the extraordinary power of women to create the future we want for ourselves and our children in this country. We award success, but we also award potential (the Rising Star award). This year I'm delighted to say we're also including the social entrepreneurs who are using their businesses to contribute to their communities,” says Brokensha.
The Fairlady Santam Social Entrepreneur 2018 Award goes to an entrepreneur whose business is making a real difference in her community. She must be 30 years or older, and her business must have survived its first 1,000 days in business. The prize comprises R20,000 cash, an invaluable mentorship session with one of the judges, an Issey Miyake fragrance hamper worth R6,990, an IMM Graduate School short course worth R15,000, a Michel Herbelin watch worth R10,500, a Karissa Biz Bailhandle and Spinner from Samsonite worth R7,298, a Madrid ladies handbag and purse from Jekyll & Hyde valued at R4,799, a Cross pen worth R2,500 and one media training session
Entry forms and terms and conditions are available here.
Entries close on 8 June 2018.
The general public can now nominate a female entrepreneur for entry into the Woman of the Future, Rising Star or Social Entrepreneur Awards. Nomination forms can be found here.
