Santam Women of the Future Awards announces 2020 finalistsFinalists for the 2020 Santam Women of the Future Awards have been announced. The panel of judges presiding over the awards this year are Professor Thuli Madonsela (chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University, and founder of the Social Justice M-Plan and the Thuma Foundation); Dawn Nathan-Jones (social entrepreneur); Redi Tlhabi (radio and TV presenter, author, producer and facilitator), Enid Lizamore (executive head of human resources at Santam); Suzy Brokensha (Fairlady Editor) and Mbali Soga (Truelove Editor). Suzy Brokensha, Fairlady editor says: This year has been an extraordinarily difficult one for business everywhere, not just in South Africa. But the nine phenomenal finalists in this year’s Santam Women of the Future Awards in association with Fairlady and Truelove are outstanding. They have refused to be beaten down by circumstances; instead, they have powered through, often improving their businesses in the process. Reading the nearly 700 entries we received this year made me want to stand up and applaud.Mbali Soga, Truelove editor says: There’s never been a more pressing time to assist entrepreneurs, with the Covid-19 pandemic bringing the South African economy to its knees. I am so proud that we, as brands, can collaborate to assist in these dire times, and I implore more organisations to step up and lend a hand too. We could all sit in boardrooms and debate the magnitude of the situation, or we could roll up our sleeves and really help. The future of our country lies in the hands of self-made, enterprising women.The winners in each of the three categories – as well as the Readers’ Choice Award (new this year) – will be announced via live stream on Friday, 16 October 2020 at 12.30 pm with Redi Tlhabi as MC. Through an independent survey, Santam found that the first 1000 days of business are the hardest and that if you’re still in business by day 1001, you’re likely to succeed in the long term. We are proud to announce this year’s finalists: Woman of the Future 2020The women eligible for this award are 30 or older and have been in business for at least 1000 days. The finalists are:
Social Entrepreneur 2020The women eligible for this award are 30 or older and their businesses/social enterprises have survived the first 1 000 days. Their ventures are making a difference in their communities. The finalists are:
Rising Star 2020These young go-getters are 30 and under, and have passed the six-month milestone. The finalists are:
New to the awards this year is our co-sponsor, Lulalend, a business that is all about providing fast and easy finance for your start-up.
To cast your vote for one of the finalists in the Readers’ Choice Award, click here or SMS the names Dulcy, Catherine, Luella, Carolyn, Maria, Sue, Boniswa, Sibongile or Welile to 37174! To join them via livestream, click here to purchase your ticket. Tickets cost R50. For full details on the finalists and information on how to purchase tickets for the event, get the latest issue of Fairlady magazine – on sale from 21 August 2020. |