Top 10 Trailblazing Women in SA
South Africa’s business landscape has been shaped by remarkable women who have broken barriers and pioneered change across industries. From corporate boardrooms to entrepreneurial ventures, these women have made their mark.
And continue to pave the way for future generations, influencing industries from finance and technology to healthcare and entrepreneurship.
Here’s a look at some of the key figures driving change and progress in South African business. Bianca Mashao compiled this list of 10fierce women.
Dr Patience Mpofu
Dr Patience Mpofu is a distinguished executive and sustainability thought leader in the mining sector, boasting over twenty years of senior leadership experience that encompasses various facets of the mining value chain. She serves as the CEO of Insight Mining Experts, a consultancy dedicated to advancing critical mineral strategies for a sustainable mining future. Patience is also a sought-after speaker at major mining conferences worldwide. The author of Unleashing my Super Powers began her career as a metallurgist and has since held prominent roles in strategy, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and sustainability, including serving as Vice President for an Australian mining company. Patience has now turned her 25-year trailblazing career in mining into empowering and paving the way for other women coming up against the same barriers she experienced on her way to success. In 2020, she won the CEO Global continental award for the mining sector in Africa.
Dr Sizakele Marutlulle
Sizakele boasts a robust career in marketing and leadership, having held significant roles such as Chief Marketing Officer at Barclays Africa, CEO of Grey South Africa, and COO at SA Tourism. With a proven track record in establishing and leading various advertising agencies and transforming businesses at critical junctures, she demonstrates a exceptional capability in driving growth and innovation across diverse sectors. She is founder and leader of a Pan-African brand advisory firm.
She has over two decades of experience in business development, brand strategy, leadership, and entrepreneurship. She leads an Africa-anchored, global creative practice that is deeply intentional about its work. Recognised on Mail & Guardian’s 2018 Women Changing South Africa List, she wears many hats, including published columnist, advisor, facilitator, public speaker and investor. When she is not solving for businesses, she invests much time mentoring and coaching the future-wave of female leaders.
Ntombenhle Khathwane
Ntombenhle went into business without any business background, but she was in a government job that was promising nothing empowering. Although in management at the time she paid her grandmother a visit in Swaziland, her discovery of her granny’s hair secrets could not keep her in the job. Learning from her grandmother her mission was to be part of cultural preservation, and established a hair and beauty brand. AfroBotanics was born. In 2012 I was in the first cohort of the Goldman Sachs-GIBS 10,000 Women.
Programme and I got a business management certificate. She I also did a course with the Branson Centre For Entrepreneurship. She was named Destiny Magazine 40 Trailblazers in 2011. In 2014 she was accepted into the Archbishop Tutu-Oxford University Leadership Fellowship.
Admittedly getting her products was a mission that many of her peers also faced; this took her four years. Game gave her a chance and it has been 10 years since. Other retailers followed suit after that.
Charmagne Mazhindu
The dynamic Charmagne is an award-winning integrated marketing and brand specialist with over a decade of experience. She was recently announced as the marketing strategy and operations director for Aleph, an ecosystem of global digital experts and technology-driven solutions that enables the growth of digital marketing. Charmagne's extensive expertise across multiple marketing disciplines empowers her to craft and implement effective global strategies, ensuring seamless campaign creation and execution. Her proficiency in digital marketing, PR, and communications enhances brand visibility and customer engagement, while her focus on customer experience fosters lasting relationships and drives business growth. Her career spans several industries, such as Automotive, Advertising, and Consulting, This diverse background has sharpened her ability to interpret customer needs and craft impactful solutions that deliver value to both consumers and enterprise clients across Africa and Europe.
Sylvia Maseko
Sylvia Maseko is a Chief Operations Officer at Medical Events and Managing Director at Daisy Lee Events. She is the Founder and CEO of African Health Excellence Awards, an NPO that aims to recognize and celebrate remarkable achievements and contributions of Healthcare Professionals and Organizations across the African continent and the global African diaspora. She is a remarkable entrepreneur, seasoned event planner and designer, dietician by profession, accredited training provider and brand influencer. She is an expert in designing, planning and managing medical and corporate events of different sizes. She was born and raised in Boschfontein which is one of the rural areas in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Sylvia is a member of KLCBT (Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism) and SACBW (South African Council for Business Women), where she received a rookie award. Nominated for the 2023 Founder of the Year awards in Africa, she holds a Masters in Business Administration and a certificate in Project Management.
Veronica Motloutsi
Veronica is a force to reckon with and a distinguished figure in the field of digital transformation. She is the founder and CEO of digital start-up SmartDigital Solutions and the author of Africa Lead with Digital. Veronica's exceptional ability to navigate the complexities of digital transformation has established her as a prominent leader, influencing initiatives that drive technological advancement and innovation throughout South Africa and the African continent, making significant strides toward a more digitally integrated future. Veronica founded the company in 2017 to help organisations and homes transform into the digital age and its services include fiber to the home connectivity and remote security surveillance for homes. Over 25 years in ICT, with a prosperous career spanning diverse sectors, including ICT, Energy, Health, Mining, Retail, Financial Services, and Logistics, she has emerged as a trailblazer in the dynamic world of digital innovation. SmartDigital Solution is a 100% Black female-owned digital transformation company positioned to harness the opportunities brought by 4IR.
Relebogile Mabotja
Relebogile has firmly established herself as one of the most dedicated talents in the South African entertainment industry. With nearly 20 years of diverse experience, her impressive skill set spans radio, voice-over work, acting, presenting, and production. As the founder and managing director of Lebotja Media, along with her role as a director and shareholder at Black Swan Media, she has led successful initiatives like Raising Babies 101 and The Single Wives SA.
A strong advocate for women's empowerment, Relebogile mentors aspiring young women and actively works to challenge gender norms within this male-dominated field. Her exceptional contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including Best News Reader for a Commercial Station at the 2020 South African Radio Awards and the Woman in Stature Awards.
In 2023, she celebrated a significant milestone by winning her first South African Film and Television Award for Best Entertainment Programme as Executive Producer for Miss South Africa 2022 with Black Swan Media. She has qualifications in Entertainment Law.
Mashudu Makwarela
Mashudu founded her agency in 2015. The qualified chartered accountant wanted to bring more personalised services that are tech-centric to the industry. After serving her articles at KPMG in the financial services industry, she started consulting for the Department of Public Works and City of Johannesburg. Subsequent to that she joined the private sector where she gained extensive experience as a financial accountant in the medical aid industry. With a focus on innovative solutions, her firm aims to elevate standards of compliance and consultancy in South Africa, ensuring businesses and government entities can navigate the complex regulatory landscape with confidence and efficiency. Her approach is defined by a hands-on engagement with our diverse client portfolio, ensuring tailored solutions that address unique compliance challenges. Leading with innovation, she says her company leverages cutting-edge technology to streamline financial processes, providing real-time insights that empower clients.
Bojane Segooa
As one of only seven black female non-executive directors of a JSE listed company 35 years old and under, Bojane Segooa, is well on her way to establishing herself as a young business leader. Bojane is committed to using technology to ensure that the fourth UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of quality education is met. Her innovative spirit led to the establishment of her company Innovation Africa Holdings and its leading product, Levelsapp, an educational app that allows learners to find South African universities and explore the degrees on offer, and it gives them career guidance. The application led to her being selected as a finalist for the Southern African Start-Up Awards in the National Edutech Category. This dynamic business woman has received a number of accolades for her work in academia and business. These include the Department of Science and Technology’s Innovation Support Programme Research Award and being a finalist at the Southern African Startup Awards in the Edutech Startup category. Bojane sits on the board of RH Bophelo Ltd.
Mimi Kalinda
Mimi Kalinda is the Group CEO and co-founder of Africa Communications Media Group (ACG), an organization that exemplifies her extensive expertise and leadership in reputation management and communications across the African continent and beyond. With an impressive 26 years of experience, she has established herself as a multi-award-winning creative professional, recognized for her strategic vision and ability to drive business growth in diverse global markets.
Mimi's leadership is characterized by a results-driven approach that integrates innovative business development strategies designed to create both fiscal success and positive social impact. Under her guidance, ACG has developed pioneering solutions across various sectors, including strategic communications, media, executive professional development, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Mimi is a passionate writer and coach.
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