Day 1 | 8 September 2026
Her Power. Africa’s Future. Amplifying Women-Led Growth
BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR WOMEN-LED GROWTH 08:00 - 09:00
Registration & Refreshments
09:00 - 09:05
Moderators Welcome | Nozipho Tshabalala, CEO, Conversation Strategists & Arabile Gumede, South African financial journalist & business anchor
09:05 - 09:10
Organisers Welcome Address | Ralf Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer, Topco Media
09:10 - 09:20
Standard Bank Address | Simone Cooper, Head, Business and Commercial Banking South Africa, Standard Bank Group
09:20 - 09:30
Telkom Gold partner Address | Nonkululeko Dlamini, Financial Officer, Telkom Group THE FOUNDATIONS OF GROWTH
09:30 - 09:40
Deputy Minister’s Address |Education And Employability: Actively Empowering The Next Generation Of Women
Presented by Hon. Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, this address explores how South Africa can better prepare young women to move from education into meaningful economic participation. It examines the gap between higher education and the changing world of work, with a focus on Work-Integrated Learning, entrepreneurship and future-focused skills. The address will also highlight opportunities in STEM, digital and green sectors, alongside the role of funding, mentorship and policy in strengthening the path from education to employment.
Key Points:
● Bridging the gap between education and employment ● Using Work-Integrated Learning to build practical skills ● Supporting young women to become entrepreneurs and job creators ● Expanding opportunities in STEM, digital and green sectors ● Strengthening the education-to-employment pipeline through policy and partnerships Speaker: Hon. Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Deputy Minister for Higher Education And Training, Republic of South Africa 09:40 - 09:50
Keynote Address |The Future We Inherit, The Future We Create - Challenging The Status Quo In Service Of Progress Dr Naledi Pandor explores the need for women to lead with intention within a global landscape that frequently imposes binary choices, forcing a perceived trade-off between professional excellence and personal satisfaction. Rather than adhering to conventional, narrow definitions of success, Dr Pandor challenges the prevailing narrative that suggests ambition must come at the cost of family, purpose, or well-being. The address delves into the strategic and internal dimensions of executive performance, looking closely at how leaders can unpack systemic pressures to foster sustainable pacing. It emphasizes that leadership is not merely a position but a continuous process of defining oneself and establishing robust support structures in both personal and professional spheres. Key Points: ● Redefining what “having it all” means ● Leading without the burden of perfectionism ● The role of support systems in sustainable success ● Choosing relationships that support growth and purpose
● Building a future through intentional decisions ● Balancing ambition with personal fulfilment ● The courage to create good trouble Speaker: Dr Naledi Pandor, Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation & Former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
09:50 - 10:30
SheNotes - An Opening Leadership Conversation | The Power of Community: Moving African Women-Led Businesses Forward Explore how collaboration, strategic partnerships and strong business communities can help women-led businesses access new markets, opportunities and relationships across Africa. The session examines how women can turn networks into practical business value through referrals, knowledge-sharing, partnerships and cross-border opportunities. It also explores the shift from mentorship to sponsorship, focusing on how leaders can use their influence to advocate for women and open doors to new opportunities.
Key Points: ● Using networks and business communities to accelerate growth ● Building partnerships that create market and cross-border opportunities ● Turning relationships into referrals, knowledge-sharing and collaboration ● Moving from individual success to stronger business ecosystems ● The role of collective action in growing women-led businesses across Africa ● Moving from mentorship to sponsorship and actively opening doors Speakers: ● Dr Shirley Zinn, Chair and Non-Executive Director of Boards ● Shiphra Chisha, Chief Executive Officer, Graça Machel Trust ● Dr Roze Phillips, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Abundance At Work ● Simone Cooper, Head, Business and Commercial Banking South Africa, Standard Bank Group
FROM OPPORTUNITY TO ENTERPRISE 10:30 - 11:10
Panel Discussion | The Network Effect: How Women Turn Connection into Opportunity and Influence
Hosted by: Telkom
Networking is more than collecting contacts, it is about building meaningful relationships that create access, opportunity, collaboration and influence. This session explores how women can strategically build and activate their networks to accelerate career growth, unlock business opportunities, find mentors and sponsors, and create opportunities for other women. Key Points ● Building a strategic network: Identifying the relationships needed to achieve your next goal. ● From connection to opportunity: Turning conversations and introductions into meaningful opportunities. ● The power of mentors and sponsors: Finding people who advise, advocate and open doors. ● Building influence: How trust, credibility and relationships translate into influence. ● Women supporting women: Using networks to champion, recommend and create opportunities for others. ● Networking with purpose: Making relationship-building an intentional part of everyday business. Panelists: ● Melody Lekota, Chief Human Resources Officer, Telkom Group ● Morwesi Ramphenyane, Group Executive: Group Procurement & Contracts Management and Chairperson of the Telkom Retirement and Telkom Pension Funds ● Misiwe Xolo, Business Development Manager, Telkom CSB ● Zanele Matome, Founder, Welo Health
11:10 - 11:35
NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK
11:35 - 12:05
Panel Discussion | From Digital Tools to Digital Growth: How Technology, and Data Are Accelerating Women-Led Businesses Across Africa
Hosted by: Ctrack
Digital transformation is about using technology to create real business value. As Africa’s economy becomes more digital, women-led businesses can use technology, data and digital platforms to improve efficiency, reach new customers and grow across regional markets. This panel explores how entrepreneurs can move beyond adopting digital tools to using them strategically to build more competitive and scalable businesses.
Key Points: ● Using technology to improve business performance ● Reaching new customers through digital platforms ● Expanding into regional and cross-border markets ● Using data to make better business decisions and access funding
Panelists: ● Natasha Gomes, Group Chief Financial Officer, Ctrack ● Rebone Mahlangu, Operations Head, Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank ● Kume Luvhani, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Vaxowave ● Emma Dicks, Co-Founder, CodeSpace Academy 12:05 - 12:35
A Top Women Table Talk with Andy Kawa, Founder and Chairperson of Kwanele Enough Foundation and Nozipho Tshabalala, Conversation Strategist, on Founder Journeys: Lessons in Scaling, Pivoting and Building Resilient Businesses.
12:35 - 13:00
PitchPower Networking PitchPower Networking is an interactive session where guests are invited to the stage to deliver
rapid two-minute lightning pitches about their business, product, or service to a room full of peers, potential partners, and investors. The high-energy format is designed to maximise exposure for entrepreneurs, spark targeted connections, and turn networking into real business opportunities. The strict time limit sharpens each pitch for clarity and impact, ensuring every idea lands powerfully. 13:00 - 14:00
NETWORKING LUNCHEON
14:00 - 14:05
KFC Africa Opening Keynote Address: Akhona Qengqe, General Manager, KFC Africa
14:05 - 14:35
Panel Discussion |From Representation to Multiplication: Creating Pathways for Women to Lead and Grow Representation is an important first step, but lasting transformation happens when organisations
Hosted By: KFC Africa
actively create opportunities for women to lead, grow and participate in their value chains. This session explores how large organisations can build stronger leadership pipelines while creating pathways for women-owned businesses to access procurement opportunities, secure larger contracts and become strategic partners. The discussion will examine the role of sponsorship, leadership development, supplier development and strategic partnerships in helping women move from participating to having a meaningful economic impact, multiplying the number of women who are equipped and empowered to lead. It will also explore what women-owned businesses need to compete at scale, navigate procurement processes and build the capabilities required for sustainable growth. Key Points: ● Creating pathways for women to progress into leadership and commercial decision-making roles ● Using sponsorship, mentorship, stretch opportunities and succession planning to develop women leaders ● Helping women-owned businesses move beyond smaller contracts and compete for larger opportunities ● Strengthening the capabilities, systems and partnerships needed to deliver at scale ● How large organisations can use procurement, supplier development and leadership programmes to create lasting opportunities for women
Panelists:
● Akhona Qengqe, General Manager, KFC Africa ● Nolo Thobejane, Chief People, Culture & Purpose Officer, KFC Africa ● Nina-Lize Theunissen, Supply Chain Executive, Digistics ● Jill Mills, Head Learning, Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank 14:35 - 15:15
Panel Discussion |Nobody Warns You What Growth Actually Costs Growth is often celebrated as the goal, but rarely is it discussed honestly. Behind every funding round, expansion, or new milestone sits a set of personal and financial
Hosted By: Vouch
costs that founders are rarely warned about in advance. This session moves past the highlight reel of scaling a business to explore what growth actually demands of the people building it, and what it takes to protect both the business and the individual behind it as ambition compounds. The discussion will unpack the overcommitment that quietly accumulates in pursuit of growth, the leadership shift founders are rarely prepared for as their businesses evolve beyond them, and the personal blind spots that go unexamined until it's too late. It will also consider what it actually means to build resilience alongside ambition, not after it. Moderator: Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, South African TV & Radio Presenter Panelists: ● Vera Nagtegaal, CEO, Vouch SA ● Reeona Chetty, Head of Advice, Vouch SA ● Aisha Mohamed, Managing Director, TimeOut South Africa
15:15 - 15:35
SheLeads Dialogue | Thrive Through Uncertainty: Protecting, Strengthening & Futureproofing Your Business Growth brings opportunity, but also new risks. This session explores practical ways women entrepreneurs can identify and manage financial, operational, cyber and market risks while protecting their businesses and preparing for disruption. The discussion will cover risk planning, insurance, cash-flow management and business continuity to help entrepreneurs build resilient businesses that can adapt and continue to grow.
Key Points: ● Identifying and managing key business risks ● Protecting assets through insurance and continuity planning ● Strengthening cash flow and financial resilience ● Preparing for disruption and unexpected challenges ● Turning resilience into a competitive advantage Panelists: ● Alvina Naidoo, Head, Product, Embedded Insurance, Standard Bank ● Nomazibulo Tshanga, Founder & CEO, Ziyana Group BUILDING LONG-TERM VALUE
15:35 - 15:50
Power Talk | Driving Growth Through Customer Success, Strategic Negotiation & High-Performing Teams
Hosted By:
Sustainable growth depends on more than gaining customers. It requires strong relationships,
Bridging &
clear value and teams that can deliver consistently. This session explores how women-led
Associates
businesses can build customer loyalty, negotiate from value and develop teams and systems that support long-term growth.
Key Points:
● Building customer loyalty and repeat business ● Communicating value without competing on price ● Negotiating stronger commercial partnerships ● Building teams and systems that reduce founder dependency ● Creating the capacity to scale sustainably Speaker: Antoinette Roberts, CEO, Bridging & Associates 15:50 - 16:20
Panel Discussion | Sustainable Growth in a Changing Economy: Building Resilient and Responsible Businesses Sustainability is no longer just an environmental or compliance issue, it is increasingly a driver of business resilience, competitiveness and long-term growth. This session explores how leaders can balance commercial performance with responsible business practices, navigate changing customer and regulatory expectations, and build organisations that are equipped for the future. The discussion will focus on practical strategies for embedding sustainability into everyday decision-making while creating meaningful business value.
Key Points:
● Building resilience in a changing and uncertain economy ● Balancing growth, profitability and responsible business ● Sustainability as a business strategy, not simply a compliance exercise ● How large organisations are adapting to changing customer, investor and regulatory expectations ● The role of innovation and operational efficiency in sustainable growth ● What women-led businesses can practically do to become more resilient and competitive
Panelists: ● Belinda Carreira, CEO, SustainableDNA ● Praisy Dlamini, General Manager & Winemaker, HER Wine Collection ● Melanie van Straaten, General Manager – Southern Africa (SA & SADC) Castrol ● Boitumelo Sethlatswe, Head Sustainability, Standard Bank Group 16:20 - 16:55
Panel Discussion |Creative Capital: Transforming African Talent into Thriving Enterprises
Africa’s creative economy is creating jobs, driving innovation and shaping global culture. This session explores how creative entrepreneurs can turn their talent and ideas into sustainable businesses through funding, IP protection, digital platforms and access to new markets.
Key Points:
● Turning creative talent and IP into viable businesses ● Protecting and monetising intellectual property ● Exploring funding options for creative businesses ● Using digital platforms and partnerships to reach new markets ● Scaling African creative businesses across regional and global markets
Panelists: ● Pearl Munonde, Chairperson, Sisters Working In Film and Television (SWIFT) ● Keitumetse Lebaka, Chief Executive Officer, Gauteng Film Commission ● Ayanda MaNgubane Borotho, Actress ● Dr Same Mdluli, Senior Curator and Manager, Standard Bank Galleries LEARNING FROM THE JOURNEY 16:55 - 17:15
SheLeadsDialogue | The Enduring Legacy of Empowerment: Celebrating A Decade of Excellence Former Standard Bank Top Women Entrepreneur award winners reflect on what happened after recognition. They share how they navigated growth, setbacks, changing markets and new opportunities, and the lessons they learned along the way. As part of the decade celebration, the discussion explores how recognition, visibility and networks have influenced their journeys, offering practical insights for today’s women entrepreneurs. Key Points:
● Lessons from a decade of Top Women entrepreneurs ● Navigating growth, setbacks and changing markets ● The impact of recognition, visibility and networks ● What worked, what didn’t and what they would do differently ● Turning experience into practical lessons for future growth Speakers: ● Dr Lynnette Magasa, Chief Executive Officer, Boniswa Corporate Solutions ● Zeenat Ghoor, Director, Aspire Consulting Engineering 17:15
MODERATOR’S CLOSING REMARKS |Nozipho Tshabalala, CEO, Conversation Strategists & Arabile Gumede, South African financial journalist & business anchor
Day 2 | 9 September 2026
Her Power. Africa’s Future. Amplifying Women-Led Growth
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WOMEN-LED GROWTH 08:00 - 09:00 09:00 - 09:05
Registration & Refreshments Moderators Welcome | Nozipho Tshabalala, Conversation Strategist LEADING CHANGE AT SCALE
09:05 - 09:15
Opening Keynote Address |Progress With Purpose: Insights From the HIV Response on Leading Through Change and Resilience Presented by Anne Githuku-Shongwe, this keynote draws lessons from the global HIV/AIDS response to explore how collective leadership can drive meaningful change. It examines how shared purpose, partnerships, community mobilisation and accountability can create progress in complex environments. The keynote challenges the idea that change depends on individual heroes, showing instead how strong coalitions and inclusive leadership can build lasting impact across business, government and society. Key Points:
● Lessons from the HIV response on collective leadership ● Building partnerships around shared purpose ● Leading and collaborating through complexity ● Mobilising communities to drive change
● Turning purpose into sustained action and impact Speaker: Anne Githuku-Shongwe, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, UNAIDS 09:15 - 09:50
Panel Discussion |Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Women's Entry-Level Work in South Africa Women make up a significant share of the workforce in many administrative, support and other entry-level roles that are increasingly being reshaped by AI and automation. As these roles change, an important question emerges: what happens to women's access to the first rung of the career ladder? This discussion explores how employers, educators and skills-development institutions can embrace technological innovation while creating new pathways for women to enter, remain and progress in the workforce. Beyond the jobs themselves, the conversation considers what work means for economic participation, independence, dignity and social inclusion and how South Africa can ensure that technological progress expands opportunity rather than narrowing the pathways into it.
Key Points:
● Understanding the gendered impact of AI on entry-level and support roles ● Rethinking pathways into work as traditional first-job opportunities change ● Equipping women with the skills, experience and confidence to participate in an AI-enabled economy ● Balancing productivity and automation with inclusive access to employment
Panelists: ● Nothando Magagula, Head Artificial Intelligence, Standard Bank
● Auguste (Gusti) Coetzer, Founder and CEO, People Power Placements ● Summer Clifford Kotze, Director & Head of Brand Marketing, Jenna Clifford
09:50 - 10:10
SheLeadsDialogue |Beyond Representation: Building Safer, More Inclusive Workplaces for Women Gender inclusion goes far beyond increasing the number of women in the workplace. Creating environments where women can thrive requires organisations to address the cultural, systemic and safety barriers that continue to impact women’s experiences at work. Key points: ● Moving beyond representation towards genuine inclusion and belonging ● Addressing workplace cultures that enable harassment, discrimination and GBV ● Building safer workplaces through prevention, education and accountability ● The role of leadership and male allies in driving cultural change ● Lessons from mining that can be applied across South Africa’s business landscape Panelists: ● Fatima Collins, Regional Manager for Women in Mining, Sibanye-Stillwater ● Ifeoma Agu, Head of Culture, Influencers & Advocacy Diageo South, West & Central Africa
10:10 - 10:50
NETWORKING REFRESHMENTS BREAK BACKING THE FUTURE
10:50 - 11:30
Panel Discussion |Backing the Builders: Women-led Innovation And The Future Of Africa’s Creative Economy
Hosted By:
This panel brings together women entrepreneurs supported by the MultiChoice Innovation Fund
Multichoice
(MIF) to explore what happens when ideas receive access to funding, mentorship and business support. Through real founder experiences, the discussion will look at how support translates into growth, innovation and job creation, as well as the challenges entrepreneurs face after funding.
It will also explore what women-led businesses need to scale sustainably and contribute to Africa’s creative and digital economy. Key Points:
● Turning ideas into viable businesses through funding and support ● What comes after funding: challenges and lessons from the growth journey ● Using support to drive innovation, jobs and business growth ● Navigating challenges as businesses scale ● Moving from funded businesses to sustainable enterprises Panelists: ● Itumeleng Thulare, Head of Corporate Affairs, MultiChoice ● Takalani Leago, Founder, Luvhone ● Fazila Bismilla, Founder, FazMedia ● Sphumelele Sibeko, Co-Founder, LimuLab 11:30 - 12:10
Panel Discussion | Inclusive Leadership: Turning Diversity into a Competitive Advantage Sustainability is increasingly shaped by how organisations manage their people, communities
Hosted By: Harmony Gold
and long-term impact. This session explores how inclusive leadership can strengthen both business performance and sustainable growth by ensuring diverse perspectives inform decisions, innovation and problem-solving. The discussion will examine how leaders can build inclusive workplaces that support employee engagement, resilience, responsible decision-making and stronger relationships with the communities in which businesses operate.
Key Points:
● Moving from representation to meaningful influence in business decision-making ● Embedding inclusion into everyday leadership and organisational culture
● Using diverse perspective ● s to strengthen innovation, resilience and problem-solving ● Connecting inclusive leadership to responsible business and long-term sustainability ● Building workplaces and community relationships that support sustainable growth Panelists: ● Dr Urishanie Govender, Chief Sustainability Officer. Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited ● Parmi Natesan, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Directors in South Africa 12:10 - 12:25
SheLeadsDialogue | Powering the Next Generation: Women, Leadership and the Future Economy
Hosted By
As Africa's economy and workforce evolve, women require intentionally structured pathways
bp
into leadership and the opportunities shaping the future economy. This conversation explores how businesses can develop women for senior decision-making positions, prepare them for an evolving world of work and create opportunities for the next generation. Drawing on her leadership journey, the speaker will share practical lessons on leading with purpose and creating lasting economic impact.
Key Points: ● Building pathways for women into senior leadership and decision-making ● Preparing women for an evolving world of work ● The role of business in developing and sponsoring the next generation ● Leading with purpose to drive transformation and economic impact
Speaker: Taelo Mojapelo, CEO, bp Southern Africa
12:25 - 13:05
Panel Discussion | Lead with Heart, Deliver with Impact: Women, Trust & the Future of People-First Leadership In a world demanding faster results and greater accountability, the most enduring competitive
Hosted by Sanofi
advantage isn't technology or strategy — it's trust. Rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu — "I am because we are" — this panel explores how women leaders are uniquely positioned to build the high-trust, people-first cultures that drive innovation, engagement, and long-term enterprise success. From the boardroom to the frontline, our panelists will share candid insights on leading with empathy and accountability, navigating the tension between performance and care, and creating organizations where every person knows their work matters — to the team, to the business, and to the patients and communities they serve.
Panelists: ● Lenisha Maharaj, General Manager, Pharma (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana) Sanofi ● Mandisa Seloane, Founder, iKamva Solutions 13:05 - 14:00
NETWORKING LUNCHEON OWNING YOUR VALUE
14:00 - 14:20
SheLeadsDialogue | The womENS Premium
Women first entered the South African legal profession in 1923, yet it took 89 years before a woman led a major corporate law firm. Today, women make up 57% of new entrants to the profession but hold only 28% of executive leadership. In this candid conversation, two executives from Africa's largest law firm explore the distinctly human qualities that women bring to high-stakes practice and leadership. Drawing on lessons from dispute resolution and the realities of executive leadership, the discussion examines why women continue to undervalue
what they bring, how the shift to hybrid work creates both opportunity and risk for women's advancement, and what it takes to own — and charge for — the women premium.
Key Points:
•
Capabilities that cannot be automated, outsourced or replaced
•
Dispute resolution lessons that transfer to every boardroom
•
Hybrid work as an executive responsibility, not a personal perk
Panelists: ● Esti Brand, Executive at ENS in the Dispute Resolution practice ● Tumi Modubu, Executive at ENS in the Dispute Resolution practice 14:20 - 14:50
Panel Discussion |Women in Sport: Building Powerful Brands and Creating Commercial Value Beyond the Game Women in sport are using their platforms to build powerful brands, attract partnerships and create new revenue streams. This session explores how athletes, sports leaders and content creators can turn visibility and influence into long-term commercial value. The discussion will cover personal branding, intellectual property, sponsorships and the transition from sport into entrepreneurship and business leadership.
Key Points:
● Building a personal brand beyond athletic performance ● Protecting your image, narrative and intellectual property ● Understanding what sponsors look for in partnerships ● Turning influence and expertise into new revenue streams
● Preparing for life beyond sport through entrepreneurship and leadership Panelists: ● Akhona Zennith Makalima, Pioneering FIFA/CAF Referee, Founder of Sheref Her Legacy Foundation ● Muditambi Ravele, Chairperson, South African Women and Sports Foundation ● Sinenjabulo Zungu-Ntuli, Chief Executive Officer, AmaZulu Football Club ● Desiree Ellis, Coach, Banyana Banyana FROM ACCESS TO ACTION 14:50 - 15:10
PitchPower Networking PitchPower Networking is an interactive session where guests are invited to the stage to deliver rapid two-minute lightning pitches about their business, product, or service to a room full of peers, potential partners, and investors. The high-energy format is designed to maximise exposure for entrepreneurs, spark targeted connections, and turn networking into real business opportunities. The strict time limit sharpens each pitch for clarity and impact, ensuring every idea lands powerfully.
15:10 - 15:40
The Pitching Den | The Grand Finale Of The EmpowHER Summit The Pitching Den is the final stage for the three EmpowHER Summit 2026 winners, offering a high-stakes opportunity to compete for the Top Women EmpowHER Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a prestigious recognition of their entrepreneurial journey.
Pitching den finalists: ● Cape Town EmpowHER winner: Lesego Seloane, Chief Executive Officer, Ronewa Creations (Pty) Ltd ● KZN EmpowHER winner: Kiki Sepuru, Managing Director, Afrique360 Solutions (Pty) Ltd ● Gauteng EmpowHER winner: Refilwe Moreno Barahona, Chief Executive Officer,
Tsogomath Pty Ltd 15:40 16:00 - 18:00
MODERATOR’S CLOSING REMARKS | Nozipho Tshabalala, Conversation Strategist Networking Cocktail Function