“I’m a fighter. I’m the kind of person that for better or worse runs towards a problem and tries to solve it even if it’s in a burning house.”



These powerful words come from 31-year-old Somalian-Canadian activist, Ilwad Elman, who spoke at the 6th FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit on March 8. The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize nominee spoke about her natural instinct to invoke change.



The daughter of entrepreneur and peace activist Elman Ali Ahmed and social activist Fartuun Adan, Elaman says once the Somalian war broke in the 1990s, her parents had to make the difficult decision to split up. Adan took Elman and her sisters to Canada where they were refugees, and Ahmed stayed in Somalia fighting for peace.



“My father was killed in pursuit of peace,” Elman said. “But his slogan ‘drop the gun, pick up the pen’ can still be seen marked on the streets of Mogadishu 25 years after his death.”



And this has inspired Elman all her life.



At the age of 20, she co-founded Somalia’s first rape crisis center. Since then, she has become a champion for peace and security giving all those impacted by conflict — particularly women and girls — a seat at the table. Through her organization, the Elman Peace Centre in Mogadishu, Elman has created a methodology for community-based peace-building in contexts of ongoing conflict that is now being exported to conflicts across Africa.



“So if you want to change the world, you need to first know and search within yourself with deep humility, zero egos, and profound clarity,” Elman said.



Also proposed this year as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee is Hajer Sharief, a Libyan peace and human rights activist. She co-leads the work of the Together We Build It&nbsp;(TWBI)&nbsp;organization in Libya. In 2011, and at the age of 19, she co-founded TWBI to build peace in Libya and promote human rights. One of UN Women&#8217;s 12 Champions on Women, Peace and Security and Human Rights, she is a member of the Extremely Together young leaders, an initiative by Kofi Annan and the Kofi Annan Foundation, and in 2020, was named by FORBES AFRICA as one Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women along with Elman.



– Watch the full video of Ilwad Elman’s talk at the 2021 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit here



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Ilwad

Changing The World According to Ilwad Elman

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At the 2021 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9, the panelists that converged for the discussion, ‘Agility And Flexibility: Culture Change In The C-Suite’, dwelt on the new needs and challenges of a pandemic-ridden world and what will set apart organizations that will be the big winners of the future. Surveys prove that this agility is now paying off in improved productivity. Companies that are customer-focused, people-driven, tech-enabled, and flexible are the ‛agility champions’, according to PwC. Shirley Machaba, CEO of PwC Southern Africa, on of the panelists, expounded on some of these points.  



She was joined from Kigali by&nbsp;Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, as well as&nbsp;Eva Mattheeussen, Head of Human Resources at DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa; and&nbsp;Sheikha Hend Faisal Al Qassimi, an Emirati businesswoman, author and artist from the UAE. The diverse panel&nbsp;looked at ways&nbsp;to redraft company work ethics to embrace&nbsp;sustainable business practices as a must for future success.&nbsp;“Unfortunately, women are always being overlooked, whether they deliver or not. This is why women have to work twice as hard… You have to give women milestones, and you have to see them achieving those milestones. And a lot of women are achieving those milestones because they’re used to multi-tasking. This is their second nature,” observed&nbsp;Faisal Al Qassimi on the panel.&nbsp;

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#LWS2021: Panel- Flexible Options And Agility Champions To Fuel Culture Change In The C-Suite

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Folorunso Alakija, Nigerian entrepreneur and Vice-Chair of Famfa Oil, addressed&nbsp;the topic, ‘How to Become a Billionaire’, and discussed her recipe to success in an exclusive one-on-one interview at the 6th&nbsp;FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“As you progress in life, you meet hurdles, and I’ve come up with my own mantras that guide me. I spell out ‘SUCCESS’ – Seek God; Utilize your time and talent; Credibility and reliability; Consistently focus on your goal; Educate yourself; Say ‘no’ to discouragement agents; and Sacrifice daily by going the extra mile.”&nbsp;



Watch this interview with Peace Hyde for more on Alakija’s interpretation of true wealth.&nbsp;

Interview With Nigeria’s Richest Woman, Billionaire Folorunso Alakija

#LWS2021: Lessons from one of Africa’s richest

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In her welcome address at the 2021&nbsp;FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9, FORBES AFRICA Managing Editor Renuka Methil, unraveled the theme of the 6th&nbsp;annual summit as ‘Africa Reloaded: The Power of The Collective’ and the need for everyone to come together to reset Africa on the path of recovery and progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



&#8220;This summit brings together a unique collection of individuals&nbsp;putting together an architecture for a new world order.&nbsp;These are the visionary thinkers, the doers and problem-solvers, some of them the greatest fighters of our times who have lived from despair to disaster, and yet succeeded.&nbsp;Because when they win,&nbsp;on an African countryside somewhere on the continent, as the sun goes down, little girls will dream of becoming the women they see on this stage,” she said.&nbsp;



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Turning adversity into advantage&nbsp;



In her role as Executive Vice Chair, Ann Cairns represents Mastercard around the world, focusing on inclusion, diversity and innovation. She plays the important role of senior ambassador and executive leader with a global remit and sits as part of the company’s global management committee. In this opening interview, titled ‘Turning adversity into advantage’, at&nbsp;the&nbsp;6th&nbsp;FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9, she tells CNBC Africa anchor&nbsp;Zinathi&nbsp;Gquma how Covid-19 has widened the gender gap, and how it’s affecting the global economy. She reveals more on financial solutions for female entrepreneurs in this interview.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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#LWS2021 The True Power Of The Collective

Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC is arguably one of the biggest shows in the United Kingdom. And 2020 saw, for the first time since the ballroom and Latin dancing show started in 2004, a back-to-back win for a South African professional dancer.



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Pretoria-born, Oti Mabuse, took home the Glitter Ball trophy for the second time in December 2020 making her the first professional on the show to win a back-to-back title. What made the win more significant was the dancer was paired with 56-year-old English comedian, actor, and musician, Bill Bailey. Bailey is the oldest-ever winner Strictly has seen in its 18 seasons.



A win that everyone said could not happen in week 1 of the competition.



“You don’t know this but in the UK they take a vote,” Mabuse laughs from her home in London in a recent interview with FORBES AFRICA. “And they will tell you who they think the first person to go out will be. And we were voted the first couple to go out… And that motivated me and I said fine I will show you all. We will show you all.”



And show she did, in the nine-week-competition. What further drove the 30-year-old ballroom and Latin dancer to want to win is the fact that she loves her job and that she is representing her country.



“It’s in my DNA. I always say it&#8217;s because of where I come from that I am the way I am. I look at how my mom literally raised us. From the Winnie Mandelas and the Sarafinas. Women in our country are just strong. We are fighters,” she explains. “I have never met a South African woman who is just like ‘meh’.”



Mabuse has been dancing on Strictly since 2015 and won for the first time in 2019 with English actor and racing driver, Kelvin Fletcher. The format of the show, unfortunately, had to change in 2020, from having to have a smaller crew, fewer couples, and no live audience. The win feels more special to Oti because it was during a time that has been very difficult, so having something positive happen does feel “amazing.”



“In the last couple of weeks, I think it&#8217;s soaked in slowly and but I think that’s only because we’re in lockdown. But you know, people at home don&#8217;t really get to see what it meant to people other than us. We did the show, and we were kind of isolated in our own small bubble. So you didn&#8217;t get to see other than the cast and crew and what their reaction was. It’s just been absolutely unbelievable,” Mabuse says. 



Mabuse also took part in the &#8216;IN THE SPOTLIGHT &#8216;segment at the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit.

Graham Norton Show – London

Frontrunner: South African Dancer Lights Up The Strictly Stage

At the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit in Durban on March 6, for the first time on the same stage, South Africa’s minister Dr Naledi Pandor and her entrepreneur-daughter Dr Aisha Pandor revealed their secrets to continued success.



It’s not often we get to witness a famous mother and daughter on the same stage sharing their lessons on success and legacy. And this duo was certainly doing so for the first time.



At the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit in Durban, South Africa, on March 6, Dr Naledi Pandor, the country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Dr Aisha Pandor, CEO and Co-founder of SweepSouth, engaged in a stimulating and thought-provoking panel discussion titled ‘How To Raise A CEO’.



“Thank you very much to FORBES WOMAN AFRICA for the opportunity to be here with Aisha. I don’t often get a chance to see her. So it’s lovely to see you Aisha,” opened the much-loved minister, to laughter from the audience in the large ballroom at the international convention center in Durban.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="517" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2778-e1586614377306-1024x517.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44166" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2778-e1586614377306-1024x517.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2778-e1586614377306-300x151.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2778-e1586614377306-600x303.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2778-e1586614377306-768x388.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2778-e1586614377306-1536x775.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2778-e1586614377306.jpg 1623w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Gugu Mfuphi, Dr Aisha Pandor, and Dr Naledi Pandor </figcaption></figure>



The panel’s moderator Gugu Mfuphi began with a comic disclaimer that Dr Naledi has four children and that Dr Aisha is certainly “not the favorite”. As the audience lapped up the moment, the minister, with a broad smile, shook her head in disagreement, saying: “They are all my favorite!”



<figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>“It was very clear – just nurture them in a wide range of things. That’s really important.”<cite>&#8211; Dr Naledi Pandor</cite></blockquote></figure>



There was more laughter and life lessons in store, as the audience got to see the lighter side of the minister.



“As a mother, what I tried to do is nurture her where she wished to grow, but also, to encourage her to have as much experience in a range of areas as possible. We would encourage academic work. We also encouraged sport, creativity; all my kids had to do speech and drama at school, it was very clear – just nurture them in a wide range of things. I think that’s really important,” said the senior Pandor.



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While she mapped out her daughter’s career path, she later came to an important realization.



“She was really good in science. I love science but I’m bad at it. So I thought ‘God gave me Aisha, she’s going to achieve you know, because she was good at math and science’. And so she did very well at school, and went into the science faculty, did very well at the undergraduate level, was invited to carry on with an honors degree. She did very well and was asked to proceed to her Masters prior to finishing the honors. So, I was over the moon. It’s my dream, right? She continues from Masters into the PhD track, and completes her PhD with much fanfare and celebration on our part because now I’m thinking ‘here’s our senior research partner’. All these things I’ve been talking about science and technology, my child is going to live the example. Well lo and behold…”



The minister went on to offer more life-changing anecdotes about her daughter.



“One day, Aisha comes with her husband – who happens to be a software engineer – they tell us about this plan they’ve cooked up; that they’re going to start this tech start-up. And so I say to her ‘what about your research career?”. And she goes ‘this is what I want to do”. I say ‘what, but you’ve got a PhD, you could be a professor at the University of Cape Town, what are you talking about?’ And she says, ‘no mom, we’ve designed this program, we’ve started our company’. They began to tell me and her father all about it. Both of us were livid. I must tell you we thought ‘these kids are going to be a problem for us, they’ll be coming to beg for money and everything’. Few years down the line, and here we are! I’m very proud of her. I’ve learned my lesson. Let your children go where they wish to go!”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="681" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2807-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44169" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2807-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2807-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2807-600x399.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2807-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2807-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2807.jpg 1623w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Dr Aisha Pandor</figcaption></figure>



Aisha, along with her husband, learned quickly that being a CEO will require significant sacrifice.



“I lived with my parents for probably four years after starting our business. We eventually ended up selling everything we had, to fund the business,” she said.



“Our parents brought us up to have the right moral compass. Education and the idea of learning and knowledge have been very important. My parents gave us freedom in the decisions we made based on the fact that they knew they had given us that grounding.”  



Watch the full panel discussion below: 



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Forbes LWS2020KZN-2791

How To Raise A CEO: A Mother And Daughter Share Lessons

All roads led to Durban in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province for the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit that brought together a star-studded gathering of female leaders and A-listers from across Africa and beyond.



On March 6, at the fifth annual FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, held for the second time in Durban, a galaxy of Africa’s stars drawn from business, arts, sports, politics and public life, descended at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex for a power-packed day of talks and discussions that centered on one topic: the advancement of women.



Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, about 800 attendees hobnobbed with some of Africa’s most powerful women in the same room, at the one-day event themed ‘The Ceiling Crashers 2.0: Power With Purpose’, hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and presented by Mastercard.



The air was redolent with excitement as the event opened to a full house with seasoned dancers moving to the melody of Grammy-award winning artist Beyoncé’s song, Spirit.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="682" height="1024" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44062" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-300x451.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-600x901.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120.jpg 719w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><figcaption>Nomusa Dube-Ncube</figcaption></figure>



In her opening speech, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism &amp; Environmental Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, said the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is about reawakening the spirit of sisterhood and strengthening the solidarity among African women. “We are here to remind each other that our fate is bound together. The summit gives us that opportunity to recharge, redefine our steps in the fight of the dignity of the African woman irrespective of which part of the globe we may be coming from.”



One of the opening keynote speakers was Suzanne Morel, Country Manager, Mastercard South Africa, who provided insight on unlocking new innovations and opportunities for women in the global financial economy. “Inequality and exclusion still holds girls and women back in many aspects of their everyday lives. While positive steps have been taken to level the playing field, too much of the world is still designed without women in mind and without women involved,” she noted.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44064" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Renuka Methil</figcaption></figure>



In her welcome address, Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA and FORBES AFRICA, described the summit as “a live 4D interpretation of the magazines”, adding that “it has become pertinent to convene and re-convene such gatherings to increase the decibel on the progress women have made and that it just cannot be business as usual as we need to double our efforts in catalyzing gender parity”.



During her talk on ‘Restructuring the C-Suite model in the 4IR era’, Dr Judy Dlamini, Founder, Mbekani Group, said “over time, people have realized we’ve got to have an inclusive culture; that inclusive culture is driven by the CEO”.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44059" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



One of the most popular panels on the day was when mother and daughter duo, Dr Naledi Pandor and Dr Aisha Pandor, stepped on stage for an inspiring discussion on ‘How to raise a CEO’.



Among other highlights, a one-to-one with Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes, also an entrepreneur, ensued, while award-winning South African songstress Lira delivered a soulful talk on finding her tune in business.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44058" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The summit’s most powerful segment, called ‘In the Spotlight’, unraveled, featuring inspirational women such as DJ Zinhle, Bogolo Kenewendo, Malaika Uwamahoro, Ranya Kargbo, Caitlin Rooskrantz, Nozuko Teto, Londy Ngcobo, Jaishree Naidoo, and Lebohang Lebogo, all of who received a standing ovation in the end.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44061" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The audience, eager to be inspired and informed, were treated to riveting conversations that included a panel discussion based on the March issues of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA featuring an unprecedented, unranked list of ‘Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women’, and on the panel were Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Olajumoke Adenowo, Glenda Gray and Bonang Matheba. 



The evening of the summit unfolded with the glittering FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Gala Dinner at the same venue punctuated with awards. The red carpet witnessed A-list African glamor at its best.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44065" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Rakesh Wahi</figcaption></figure>



In his opening address, Rakesh Wahi, Vice Chairman of the ABN Group and founder and publisher of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA and FORBES AFRICA, emphasized the education of women. “I implore everyone in this room to pay more attention to this aspect of imbalance, particularly in the rural areas of our society. If you educate one girl in your lifetime, you will be part of the change needed and not part of a compromise that is expected,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="681" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44066" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-600x399.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577.jpg 1623w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma</figcaption></figure>



The awards recognized some of Africa’s most impactful women. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa’s Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, was honored with the Legacy Award and received a standing ovation as she made her way to the podium. “I was very inspired today when I saw young women doing what was thought to be impossible. We want more women to succeed,” she said, concluding the dazzling awards night, even as DJ Zinhle, also a winner, took to the stage with her electrifying house music.



WINNERS OF THE 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA AWARDS:



Forbes Woman Africa



Gen Y Award



Nthabiseng Mosia, Founder,



Easy Solar, Sierra Leone



Forbes Woman Africa Technology and



Innovation Award



Dr Aisha Pandor, Co-founder,



SweepSouth, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Entertainer Award



DJ Zinhle, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Entrepreneur Award



Olajumoke Adenowo, Founder,



Ad Consulting, Nigeria



Forbes Woman Africa Male Gender Advocate Award



Bafana Khumalo, Co-founder,



Sonke Gender Justice, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Social Impact Award



Charmaine Mabuza, Co-founder, Zamani Holdings, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Pioneer Award



Irene Charnley, Founder and Deputy Chairman, Smile Telecoms,



South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Chairperson Award



Ibukun Awosika, Chairman,



First Bank of Nigeria



Forbes Woman Africa



Legacy Award



Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South Africa

Forbes LWS2020KZN-5816

#LWS2020KZN: Power, Profit And Purpose With Africa’s Ceiling Crashers

At the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal on March 6, DJ Zinhle shone in the spotlight, talking about her journey from rock-bottom to record-breaking. 



As the
woman responsible for South Africa’s My Name Is hit song
makes her way onto the stage, there is rapturous applause from a 1,000 strong
audience, gathered at Durban’s international convention center for the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit.



Zinhle
Jiyane, popularly known as DJ Zinhle, walks up to the solo stage with her
four-year-old daughter, Kairo Forbes, who she calls one of her “biggest
achievements”.



South
Africa’s award-winning DJ and media personality presents an inspirational
speech during the summit’s #SPOTLIGHT session.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-3991-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41543"/></figure>



“You’re lazy. You’re extremely lazy,” cites Zinhle as the words that shaped her into the woman she is today.



As a
child, Zinhle, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, was heartbroken every time she was
called lazy.



“I knew I was a creative at heart. My lack of interest in limited career options and the mundane robotic task of drying the dishes didn’t really appeal to me. That’s the thing that got me the title ‘vila voco’ (meaning an extremely lazy person in English).”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Despite
that, Zinhle went on to pursue a BCom in marketing
at the University of Johannesburg. Graduating at the top of her class gave her the first dose of confidence.



“It was
possible. Although ‘vila voco’ might have been ringing in my head, at least I knew that it was possible to put in
the hard work and get
good results. That gave me all the confidence I need to
take over the world.
And that’s exactly what I did.”



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/woman/2020/03/11/lws2020kzn-the-forbes-woman-africa-2020-leading-women-summit-sets-the-bar-high-for-2021/">The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit Sets The Bar High For 2021</a>



Her new
found self-assurance propelled her to do more.



“In
2009, I launched Fuse Academy, the first and only DJ female academy in South Africa. Ten years later, the academy has
produced working DJs in
the industry that have contributed largely to the overall
entertainment
industry.”



After
eight years of resilience in the music industry, she finally scored her big break. 



“I had a song called My Name Is featuring Busiswa which became one of the biggest songs in 2012, not only in South Africa, but in most parts of Africa. This song was special to me because for the first time I knew what real success was. It was an exciting time for me as a woman”.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-3999-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41542"/></figure>



Music
has always been the DJ’s first love, so while one hand was on the decks, she
tried the other hand at entrepreneurship.



“In 2013, I launched my jewelry business, Era By DJ Zinhle. Seven years later, my pride and joy is the first black female owned business to distribute through American Swiss.”



The hit
maker has been vocal about the importance of female empowerment. Her
involvement in a project seeking to do just this inspired her to put pen to
paper.



“In
2017, I joined a very important project called ‘It Takes A Village’ on SABC1 focusing on 11
young women who needed to deal with the demons
of their past. My role was to help them through this process, and help them find a better future for themselves. Spending time
with these incredible
ladies inspired me to write a book.”



Along with Nokubonga Mbanga, Zinhle published a book called Meeting Your Power that went on to become a best-seller.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/arts/2019/04/10/noami-campbell-has-big-plans-for-africa/">Naomi Campbell Has Big Plans For Africa</a>



Her new
hit Umlilo featuring Mvzzle &amp; Rethabile is her
latest achievement. The song, which means ‘fire’, was one of the biggest hits
to come out of South Africa in 2019.



“I’m very
proud of this song. Umlilo was out for
three months and had already reached platinum. It had over five million streams
in two months. Over and above that, it was crowned the crossover song by Metro
FM and many other radio stations. The last time Metro FM had a female-led song
as the crossover song of the year was in 1997 when Brenda Fassie took it with Vulindlela.”



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pic-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41518"/></figure>



On March 6, Zinhle also won the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Entertainer Award.

Forbes LWS2020KZN-3918

DJ Zinhle: The ‘Lazy Kid’ Who Achieved Platinum Success

Africa’s most dynamic thought-leaders, industry game-changers
and icons of social activism are set to feature at the ex<a>clusive
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit </a>presented by Mastercard (#LWS2020KZN)
and hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal government &#8211; taking place at the Inkosi Albert
Luthuli ICC Complex in Durban on Friday, 6 March 2020.



For the 5th edition of this globally-renowned
event, panellists and speakers will engage with the impactful 2020 theme, ‘The
Ceiling Crashers 2.0: Power with Purpose’. The day’s thought-provoking
discussions will be followed by the highly-anticipated <a>FORBES
WOMAN AFRICA Awards Gala Dinner </a>which celebrates the continent’s most
influential female ‘ceiling crashers’ across a number of key categories.&nbsp; 



“The <a>FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading
Women Summit </a>has grown to become one of the biggest female-empowerment
events, boasting a high calibre of attendees and unparalleled speaker line-up,”
said Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA. 



“This promises to be the biggest instalment yet,
featuring female pioneers and path-breakers across the continent. Audiences will
be exposed to dynamic discussions about the growing the number of women in
leadership &#8211; something government and business really need to factor into their
strategies. We will also get to grips with a new discourse that focuses on dismantling
power structures and the need for truly inclusive cultures in business and
society.”



This highly-anticipated event, which is hosted annually
in honour of International Women’s Day, is expected to draw an audience of
around 1 000 leading women. Through hard-hitting talks, fireside chats and
insightful panel sessions centred on ‘ceiling crashers’, attendees will be
inspired to make meaningful changes within their own industries, secure in the
knowledge that they have the support of these innovative allies. This year’s
programme promises an influential mix of leaders in healthcare and business;
advocates of social and environmental activism; award-winning artists and
internationally-renowned stateswomen. 



For the first time, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA will be releasing
its own list of ‘Africa’s Most Powerful Women’, many of whom will be attending
the summit. The list will be published in the March issue of the magazine, outlining
those who have been leading ideas and industries while purposefully
contributing to nation-building and positively impacting the lives around them.



The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards Gala Dinner, which is
hosted the evening of the summit, is an opportunity to recognise the
trailblazers and role models who have created a new narrative within their
industries. By challenging authority and ‘old school’ traditions, they are
enabling future generations to live in a better and more equal world. 



Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing and
Communications, Mastercard Middle East and Africa, said: “African women are a
vital source of innovation, prosperity, and economic growth. Yet inequality and
exclusion still hold women back in many aspects of their everyday lives &#8211; from
growing their businesses to having the financial tools to participate in the
formal economy; from joining the C-Suite to following their passions. We are
proud to partner with FORBES WOMAN AFRICA as we believe that it is only by
bringing diverse perspectives to the table that we can unlock Africa’s
possibilities to women.”



Managing Director of the ABN Group, Roberta Naicker, said
the organisation was excited that the KwaZulu-Natal government would, once
again, play host to this illustrious event, which serves to highlight the
continent’s most influential female leaders while also shining a spotlight on
this beautiful region. “A summit of this calibre showcases that KZN is being
positioned as a world-class events’ destination. We are excited to have
renowned speakers and attendees will get the opportunity to engage on hard-hitting
issues during the summit, while also affording them the chance to enjoy the
many recreational tourism sites and activities for which KZN is renowned.”



Tickets to the exclusive 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading
Women Summit and Gala Dinner are available at a cost of R3499, available
through Webtickets (<a href="https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1496991848">https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1496991848</a>).
Tickets are limited and interested parties are urged to book early to avoid
disappointment. There are also select opportunities to get involved with the event
sponsorship, exhibiting at the on-site marketplace or by sponsoring a mentee. Please
visit website for further details.



The 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is
presented by Mastercard (@MastercardMEA) and hosted by KZN Provincial
Government (@KZNgov). Keep updated on all the latest news and announcements on
Twitter @LWSummit and join the conversation using the hashtags #LWS2020KZN
#DOKZN.



Contact details:



Office: +27 (11) 384 0300



Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities: <a href="mailto:Sales_South_Africa@abn360.com">Sales_South_Africa@abn360.com</a> 



Media partnerships and press accreditation: <a href="mailto:oj@oliviajones.co.za">oj@oliviajones.co.za</a> 



Event-related queries: <a href="mailto:events@abn360.com">events@abn360.com</a>



Website:<a href="http://www.Leadingwomensummit.co.za">www.Leadingwomensummit.co.za</a>

LWS_Social-Media_Twitter_announcement_1

Africa’s Most Dynamic Thought-Leaders, Industry Game-Changers And Icons Of Social Activism Set To Feature At The Exclusive FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit

FORBES WOMAN AFRICA is
excited to announce the inaugural FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in
association with Mastercard, a Leading Women Summit initiative, to be held in
Kigali, Rwanda, on 9 August 2019.



Coinciding with National Women&#8217;s Day in South Africa, the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in association with Mastercard will bring together 250 powerful women from across East Africa and will follow in the footsteps of the bigger annual FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, bringing a slice of this sought-after gathering to East Africa. 



READ MORE | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell Announced As Headline Speaker For The 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/02/07/naomi-campbell-announced-as-headline-speaker-for-the-2019-forbes-woman-africa-leading-women-summit/" target="_blank">Naomi Campbell Announced As Headline Speaker For The 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit</a>



“The
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum will echo the same fervor and sentiment as the
flagship Leading Women Summit but in hosting it for the first time in East
Africa, what I am very keen on is coming face-to-face with the women who are at
the top of their game in this region – the guests and speakers on the day will
be luminaries you don’t want to miss meeting,” says Renuka Methil, Managing
Editor of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.



As an initiative by the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, the full-day, not-to-be-missed event, which will debut in the East African nation, is to be hosted at the Kigali Serena Hotel and will feature some of the exciting content FORBES WOMAN AFRICA has consistently won awards for.



READ MORE | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/08/naomi-campbell-africa-is-one-of-the-leading-continents-in-the-world/" target="_blank">Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World</a>



Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Mastercard Middle East and Africa said: “African women are a force for economic growth and social change, and are playing a critical role in addressing the development challenges faced across the continent. 



 “As cultural and social dynamics shift, we are beginning to see an environment where women can flourish, and demonstrate the value they offer to every industry and sector in the economy. We are proud to partner with Forbes Africa and believe that this initiative will help to create opportunities for women to reach their greatest potential.”



The 2019 FORBES
WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit on March 8 saw Supermodel, Philanthropist, Activist and Cultural Innovator Naomi
Campbell headline the Durban event, alongside some of the most notable names in
business, sports, politics and the arts.



Further details and speaker profiles will soon be revealed in the buildup to the event.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/arts/2019/04/10/noami-campbell-has-big-plans-for-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell Has Big Plans For Africa (opens in a new tab)">Naomi Campbell Has Big Plans For Africa</a>



&#8211;The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in association with Mastercard will be a by-invitation-only gathering and further information can be obtained by following <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="@LWSummit (opens in a new tab)" href="https://twitter.com/LWSummit" target="_blank">@LWSummit</a> on Twitter.



-The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in association with Mastercard will be managed and produced by ABN Event Productions.

Forbes Woman Africa Announces First Regional Forum In Rwanda

The globally-popular Naomi Campbell was in Durban, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal, for the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2019 Leading Women Summit, to talk about her abiding interest and investment in the African continent.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



As a supermodel who&nbsp;
has scaled stratospheric heights in fashion, Naomi Campbell has graced
global runways and magazine covers, so when she came calling in Durban for a
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA event, the anticipation was bigger than any cover shoot we
have ever done.



For the 2019 Leading Women Summit held in the coastal South
African city for the first time on International Women’s Day, the British-born
supermodel, activist, philanthropist and cultural innovator exuded her
signature grace and glamor in a sea-blue Marianne Fassler dress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 



In 2017, Campbell was named contributing editor of British Vogue by its&nbsp; Editor-in-Chief, Edward Enninful. 



When I complimented her March 2019 cover for British Vogue, she said, considerately: “I wish I could have brought you one, I could have grabbed a copy for you from the airport [in London] yesterday.”



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/08/naomi-campbell-africa-is-one-of-the-leading-continents-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World (opens in a new tab)">Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World</a>



Campbell caught her break as a fashion model when she was
just 15 years old, and has featured in advertising campaigns for luxury houses
including Burberry, Prada, Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton,
Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino. 



Beyond her work in fashion, she has used her celebrity for fundraising and non-profit initiatives across the globe. In 1997, South African President Nelson Mandela named Campbell an “honorary granddaughter” for her activism. She also now has a YouTube channel, Being Naomi. 



Campbell aims to integrate African and international luxury
markets “bringing storied retailers to countries such as Nigeria, South Africa
and Morocco, as well as introducing African artists to global audiences”.



“The strongest woman I have met come from Africa,” she told
an audience of 500 during an on-stage interview at the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA
Leading Women Summit. 



“There’s many great women. I was very blessed and lucky to meet Miriam Makeba when I came to South Africa. I didn’t know her story but it was just her presence. Then Winnie Mandela… I met many powerful and strong women with inner strength and I am very much attracted to women with strength. You learn from them, you take from them, you observe them and how they speak. I have always considered myself a work-in-progress.” 



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/13/in-pictures-leading-women-summit-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="IN PICTURES | Leading Women Summit 2019 (opens in a new tab)">IN PICTURES | Leading Women Summit 2019</a>



She added: “For me, modeling has been a blessing in my life.
I am very grateful. It led me to meet the most amazing people. Where I am at in
my life today, is to use the almost 33 years that I have been in this business
to help make awareness, to open the minds to the brands that I work with and
have worked with all these years. 



“They need to come to this continent, not just come in and
out and take, but [invest] in the infrastructure and make a commitment to the
communities in Africa.” 



A day before the event, when FORBES AFRICA caught up with
Campbell, and before settling down for our brief interview, she began with a
disarming: “What do you think is a good restaurant to go to in Durban?”



“I am tired but excited,” she had laughed. More from the
exclusive interview: 



You have said that you are investing in communities and infrastructure in Africa. Can you tell us more about your Africa plans?



My plans are to start serving my industry, brands and the continent. And seeing that we are such big consumers [of brands] in the rest of the world, yet we don’t have it ourselves on the continent… And it’s what works in all businesses, like fashion, architecture and technology. We are big influencers so why don’t we have these things? It’s mind-blowing, so now is the time. 



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/11/the-businesses-of-the-future-20-new-wealth-creators-on-the-african-continent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent (opens in a new tab)">Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent</a>



You are working a lot with African designers?



I want to take them out into the western world and bring the
western world in&#8230; so vice versa.



Are African designers in demand in the West?



Yes, because of the textiles. I don’t want to see that their
textiles are copied and they don’t get credit for what they have done. 



For me, the workmanship, the textiles, this is what we need
to keep on the continent. We cannot allow other brands and designers from the
West to come in and take your textiles. 



What are some of your best memories of Nelson Mandela since your first meeting in 1993?



I have many great memories here in South Africa, and undoubtedly
always with ‘grandad’, when he would send me out to the people, to different
townships and villages and just put things in perspective for me. 



Yes, I was coming from a fashion background, but I am a
human being too and coming from a middleclass family, it’s something you feel
to do, it’s not something anyone can push you to do. I am not sure what he saw
in me and thought that I could do it, but I really love him and miss him.



Lending your celebrity to important causes, you have worked for global health, women’s rights etc… is there any passion project that you are working on right now?



My passion project is Africa. It is such a beautiful rich
culture, with minerals and so many natural resources. 



The narrative and perception also have to change. It is
understood in the wrong way.&nbsp; 



All through your career, how have you managed to be so versatile across diverse industries?



There’s no plan to me, I just do what I feel. I [go with]
gut instinct really of each thing I commit myself to doing, and I always follow
through.



Where do you see yourself in five years?



Hopefully, in the continent of Africa. 



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/arts/2019/01/04/the-material-of-life-according-to-textile-queen-nike-davies-okundaye/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">The material of life according to textile queen Nike Davies-Okundaye</a>



What’s it like being a contributing editor on British Vogue?



It’s great working with Edward Enniful and fun to be an
editor. I travel anyway but I get to travel and interview people from all walks
of life. 



It’s interesting to hear other people’s lives, their
experiences, strengths and their hopes to get them on their journey. It’s not
really like interviews but more conversational. 



What is the best part of being an African woman in the 21st century?



African women have always been extremely strong. On the
African continent, people are really smart… I have always had high respect for
them. 



They are so smart and educated, and yet what do they do with
it once they have got it, and this is where it needs to change.

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Naomi Campbell Has Big Plans For Africa

The New Wealth Creators is the first of its kind list by FORBES WOMAN AFRICA. Herein is a collection of female entrepreneurs on the African continent running businesses and social enterprises that are new, offbeat and radical.



These 20 women have been selected because they have created significant impact in their respective sectors by transforming a market or company, or innovating a product or service, and are pioneering their organization(s) in generating new untapped streams of income.



VIEW THE FULL LIST|<a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/11/the-businesses-of-the-future-20-new-wealth-creators-on-the-african-continent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent (opens in a new tab)">Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent</a>



These women come from across the continent, from the villages and the suburbs, and are in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. They have all adopted sustainable development initiatives in one way or another to help solve Africa’s problems.



They may be wealth creators but their businesses, ironically, did not stem from a need to make money,&nbsp; but rather from the need to solve Africa’s persisting socio-economic challenges.



&nbsp;Economically empowering women has shown to boost productivity. It increases economic diversification and income equality, in addition to other positive developmental outcomes.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Simply put, when more women work, economies are likely to grow.</blockquote>



FORBES WOMAN AFRICA put in months of rigorous research, searching near and far for these inspirational entrepreneurs.



We took into account their business model, new ideas, potential, struggles, social impact, growth, influence, resilience and most importantly, their innovation.



Speaking to FORBES WOMAN AFRICA last year at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, said: “Innovation [is] becoming the cornerstone for our economy going forward.”



As Africa’s population is reported to increase by 53% by 2100, according to the United Nations, new solutions must be created in order for us to keep up.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/08/naomi-campbell-africa-is-one-of-the-leading-continents-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World</a>



One question remains: can Africa translate its significant population growth into economic development, and invest this wealth to improve the quality of life?



Entrepreneurship could very well be the answer, or at least, one of the answers.



Last year, the Founder and Chair of the Alibaba Group Jack Ma paid Africa a visit to discuss tangible investment and technology development.



He encouraged African entrepreneurs to take giant leaps in solving the challenges facing the continent and to take advantage of the digital economy.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="565" height="487" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NWC9.png" alt="" class="wp-image-39576" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NWC9.png 565w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NWC9-300x259.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 565px) 100vw, 565px" /><figcaption>From left to right:&nbsp;Rachel Sibande, Arlene Mulder, Miishe Addy, Sarah Collins, Dineo Lioma, Jessica Anuna. Picture: Motlabana Monnakgotla Assistant Photographer: Gypseenia Lion</figcaption></figure></div>



He said that opportunities lie where people complain.



And these women, through their businesses, have identified just that.



Vijay Tirathrai, director of the Techstars Dubai Accelerator, shared the same sentiments with FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.



“The new wealth creators, for me, are entrepreneurs who are very conscious about finding solutions in the market place, but from a lens of having social impact or having impacted the environment,” he says.



Tirathrai believes that while servicing consumers, new wealth creators are also “making a safer and a greener planet in the process, eliminating diseases, improving health conditions and advocating for equality for women”.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Women on the African continent have been making headway as drivers of change, and in many ways, they embody new wealth.</blockquote>



They are the true wealth.



As FORBES WOMAN AFRICA, we seek to celebrate such women.



Through this list, money is no longer the central indicator of new wealth creation.



It is about job creation, contributing to healthy societies, recycling waste, giving agency to those who are financially excluded and developing solutions for some of the socio-economic problems we grapple with.



IN PICTURES | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/13/in-pictures-leading-women-summit-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Leading Women Summit 2019 (opens in a new tab)">Leading Women Summit 2019</a>



These women may all come from different places but they are bound together by one common thread, and that is the thread of new wealth creation.



This compilation is innovative, exciting, inspiring and shows what businesses of the future may look like.



Meet the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA New Wealth Creators of 2019.

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WATCH | The Making Of The New Wealth Creators Cover

The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit which was hosted the by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government took place on International Women’s Day (Friday, 08 March) at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. 



Full list of winners | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Leading Women Summit award winners (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS_Winnerboards_Twitter.pdf" target="_blank">Leading Women Summit award winners</a> 



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-1 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="533" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS16.jpg" alt="" data-id="39660" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39660" class="wp-image-39660" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS16.jpg 800w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS16-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS16-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS16-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Naomi Campbell. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="562" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS18.jpg" alt="" data-id="39661" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39661" class="wp-image-39661" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS18.jpg 800w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS18-300x211.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS18-600x422.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS18-768x540.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Saloni Wahi, Rakesh Wahi, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Roberta Naicker. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li></ul>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-3 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="600" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS11.jpg" alt="" data-id="39662" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39662" class="wp-image-39662" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS11.jpg 750w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS11-300x240.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS11-600x480.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption> Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA, Methil Renuka. Picture: GABHISATV </figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="533" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS14.jpg" alt="" data-id="39663" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39663" class="wp-image-39663" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS14.jpg 800w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS14-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS14-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS14-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption> Noëlla Coursaris Musunka. Picture: GABHISATV </figcaption></figure></li></ul>



READ MORE about the New Wealth Creators | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/11/the-businesses-of-the-future-20-new-wealth-creators-on-the-african-continent/" target="_blank">Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent</a>



The 2019 Leading Women Summit was a full-day event, with an audience of over 500 women.



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-5 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="654" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-1-1024x654.jpg" alt="" data-id="39650" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39650" class="wp-image-39650" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-1.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-1-300x192.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-1-600x383.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-1-768x491.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Award winners at the 2019 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="765" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-2-1024x765.jpg" alt="" data-id="39651" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39651" class="wp-image-39651" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-2.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-2-300x224.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-2-600x448.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-2-768x574.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Judith Kepher-Gona, Uchenna Pedro, Arlene Mulder and Nosipho Mkhupheka. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li></ul>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-7 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="690" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-3-1024x690.jpg" alt="" data-id="39652" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39652" class="wp-image-39652" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-3.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-3-300x202.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-3-600x404.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-3-768x518.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Hon Mr Sihle Zikalala, Saloni Wahi, Wendy Luhabe and Rakesh Wahi. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="711" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-4-1024x711.jpg" alt="" data-id="39653" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39653" class="wp-image-39653" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-4.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-4-300x208.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-4-600x417.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-4-768x533.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>eThekwini mayor, Zandile Gumede, congratulating an award winner. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li></ul>



The goal was to bring together leading, influential women to share their ideas that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of subjects, to foster learning, inspiration and wonder – and provoke conversations that matter. The 2019 theme for the event was the “New Wealth Creators”.



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-9 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS13-1024x682.jpg" alt="" data-id="39668" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39668" class="wp-image-39668" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS13.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS13-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS13-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS13-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Forbes Woman Africa Cover Stars &#8211; The New Wealth Creators. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="493" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS15.jpg" alt="" data-id="39669" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39669" class="wp-image-39669" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS15.jpg 800w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS15-300x185.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS15-600x370.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS15-768x473.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Panel Discussion: The Blue Economy: New Wealth From African&#8217;s Ocean. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li></ul>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-11 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="657" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS17-1024x657.jpg" alt="" data-id="39666" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39666" class="wp-image-39666" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS17.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS17-300x192.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS17-600x385.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS17-768x493.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Panel Discussion: South Africa&#8217;s Young Intellectuals. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="533" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS19.jpg" alt="" data-id="39667" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39667" class="wp-image-39667" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS19.jpg 800w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS19-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS19-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS19-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Panel Discussion: The Future Economy: How CEOs Can Lead Value Creation. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li></ul>



The <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="New Wealth Creators list (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/11/the-businesses-of-the-future-20-new-wealth-creators-on-the-african-continent/" target="_blank">New Wealth Creators list</a>, which is the first of its kind, was unveiled at the Summit. It is collection of female entrepreneurs on the African continent running businesses and social enterprises that are new, offbeat and radical. 



READ MORE | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/08/naomi-campbell-africa-is-one-of-the-leading-continents-in-the-world/" target="_blank">Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World</a>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-13 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="768" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-7.jpg" alt="" data-id="39656" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39656" class="wp-image-39656" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-7.jpg 960w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-7-300x240.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-7-600x480.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-7-768x614.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><figcaption>Sonto Mayise (KZN Convention Burea) and Roberta Naicker (MD of the ABN Group). Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="923" height="613" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS10.png" alt="" data-id="39658" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39658" class="wp-image-39658" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS10.png 923w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS10-300x199.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS10-600x398.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS10-768x510.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 923px) 100vw, 923px" /><figcaption>Renuka Methil and Salomi Wahi. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li></ul>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-15 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-61-1024x682.jpg" alt="" data-id="39671" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39671" class="wp-image-39671" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-61.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-61-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-61-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-61-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="533" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS221.jpg" alt="" data-id="39672" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39672" class="wp-image-39672" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS221.jpg 800w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS221-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS221-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS221-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure></li></ul>



READ MORE |<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" Naomi Campbell Announced As Headline Speaker For The 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/02/07/naomi-campbell-announced-as-headline-speaker-for-the-2019-forbes-woman-africa-leading-women-summit/" target="_blank"> Naomi Campbell Announced As Headline Speaker For The 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit</a>



The Summit celebrated a host of female trailblazers, game-changers and pioneers in African business and society. 



Supermodel, philanthropist and cultural innovator, Naomi Campbell was the headline speaker among other global influencers in business, sport, science, entertainment and leadership.



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-17 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="600" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS211.jpg" alt="" data-id="39674" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39674" class="wp-image-39674" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS211.jpg 750w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS211-300x240.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS211-600x480.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption>Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-51-1024x682.jpg" alt="" data-id="39675" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39675" class="wp-image-39675" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-51.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-51-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-51-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-51-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></li></ul>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-19 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="511" height="768" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-10.jpg" alt="" data-id="39664" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39664" class="wp-image-39664" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-10.jpg 511w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-10-300x451.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS-10-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 511px) 100vw, 511px" /><figcaption>Nomfundo Gumele. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="480" height="600" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS20.jpg" alt="" data-id="39665" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39665" class="wp-image-39665" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS20.jpg 480w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS20-300x375.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LWS20-240x300.jpg 240w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption>Simidele Adeagbo, Winter Olympic Athlete. Picture: GABHISATV</figcaption></figure></li></ul>

Gugu-and-Naomi

IN PICTURES | Leading Women Summit 2019

Supermodel, Philanthropist, Activist and Cultural Innovator Naomi Campbell, will headline this year’s FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, hosted by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, taking place at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on International Women’s Day &#8211; Friday, 8 March.



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“We are truly honoured to be welcoming Naomi Campbell to the fourth
annual FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit,” commented Methil Renuka,
Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA, and host of this
year’s event. “Having established herself as a global powerhouse in fashion, Naomi
Campbell has used her fame to benefit vulnerable communities, with much of her
charity work also focused on the African continent. We look forward to engaging
with her at this year’s ‘New Wealth Creators’ summit.”



British-born Naomi Campbell was one of five
original supermodels that revolutionised the fashion industry during the 1990s.
Her work on the runway has seen her grace countless magazine covers, as well as
featuring in numerous television shows, music videos and films. Naomi Campbell has used her unique
position in the spotlight to draw attention to several international charities,
among them the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Made in Africa Foundation,
amfAR, and Breast Health International. 



Her charity work started
alongside Nelson Mandela in 1993, with Madiba bestowing her the title of
‘Honorary Granddaughter’ for her ongoing activism. In 2005, Naomi Campbell established her own charity,
Fashion for Relief which has presented shows in New York, London, Cannes,
Moscow, Mumbai and Dar es Salaam, raising millions of dollars for various worthwhile
causes. 



Sihle Zikalala, the KwaZulu-Natal
Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, said: “We
extend a warm welcome to this year’s headline speaker, Naomi Campbell. We look forward to engaging with her on topics
that will extend the positive impact women in this country, and on the
continent, are having globally. Her involvement in this event indicates the
calibre of this summit, and the strides being taken by African women. We are
proud to have been selected as the host venue for the fourth FORBES WOMAN
AFRICA Leading Women Summit as this gives us an opportunity to showcase the
incredible business opportunities and inviting natural beauty of the place we
call home.”



Attendees to the summit, hosted in association with the IDC, will get
the chance to engage with a selection of the continent’s most influential women
through keynote addresses, panel discussions and personal interviews. In
addition to the daytime networking, attendees to the summit are invited to the
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards’ – a glamorous gala dinner celebrating those who
have made a remarkable impact in the business, sports, science, entertainment
and leadership categories. The gala dinner will take place at Durban’s Inkosi
Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.



Ticket sales for this dynamic day are now open and includes full access
to the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit from 7am to 4pm and the FORBES
WOMAN AFRICA Awards’ Gala Dinner. Tickets are limited so book now!



&#8211;For more information, visit <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="www.leadingwomensummit.co.za (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.cvent.com/events/invitation-2019-forbes-woman-africa-leading-women-summit-and-awards-8-march-durban/event-summary-0282df9e080844008d92cc3319de7b9f.aspx" target="_blank">www.leadingwomensummit.co.za</a> or follow <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="@LWSummit (opens in a new tab)" href="https://twitter.com/LWSummit" target="_blank">@LWSummit</a> on various social media platforms (#LWS2019KZN).



-The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit and the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards’ Gala Dinner will be produced by ABN Event Productions.



-Picture: Laspata Decaro

Tag: Leading Women Summit

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA