Meet the 2024 Santam Women of the Future finalists

Social Entrepreneur

These three entrepreneurs have non-profits that have survived the first 1,000 days, and are making a real difference in their communities.

• Candice Potgieter of The Unlimited Child
  This non-profit company addresses early childhood development (ECD) interventions. By training ECD practitioners and supporting ECD centres, the organisation empowers women to run viable micro-enterprises and ensures that children in their care are school-ready. The Unlimited Child now aids more than two million children and 5,000 micro-enterprises across South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Yemen.
  
• Lamise Inglis of iKasi Creative
  Public benefit organisation iKasi Creative addresses the underrepresentation of marginalised voices in the media industry. With offices in Thembalethu, George and Bellville, and recently expanding into the Eastern Cape, iKasi Creative prepares young people for careers in digital media through comprehensive training programmes.
  
• Nombuyiselo Jongqo of Cooktastic
  Established in 2019, this non-profit organisation is a hospitality hub for disadvantaged youth in Cape Town. The organisation aims to bridge the gap between the high demand for skilled culinary professionals and the limited opportunities available to marginalised young people by offering a comprehensive culinary training programme that also focuses on personal development and job placement in the hospitality industry.

Rising Star

These entrepreneurs are aged 35 or younger and their businesses have passed the six-month milestone. Our judges believe they will flourish beyond the critical first 1,000-day period

• Mpho Hlongwane of MH Automotive Engineering
  The industrial engineer, MBA graduate and PhD candidate is the founder and managing director of MH Automotive Engineering, which assembles and sequences automotive components for high-profile clients such as Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok. MH Automotive Engineering has created jobs for more than 70 young people in Mamelodi and the surrounding area.
  
• Selanei Doorasamy of Vestara
  Prompted by her journey navigating professional challenges, Selanei founded Vestara, a platform dedicated to connecting women with remote-work opportunities as virtual assistants. Vestara has assisted several women from diverse backgrounds, offering them opportunities to thrive, despite challenging circumstances.
  
• Zanele Njapha of The UnLearners
  Zanele, a former teacher turned CEO, specialises in helping organisations build cultures of learning, unlearning and relearning. Through facilitation and workshops, Zanele and her team empower companies to dismantle obsolete practices and adopt innovative strategies. They’ve delivered 200 keynote presentations and supported the unlearning journeys of more than 100,000 people.

"The thing that struck me about this year’s entrants was that South African women are increasingly becoming a part of every facet of the South African economy, from STEM, education and heavy industry to the creative and marketing sectors. It makes me so proud ... and very optimistic about our future!" – Suzy Brokensha, Fairlady editor-in-chief

"It is an honour to engage with a platform that not only celebrates but also rewards the remarkable efforts of female entrepreneurs in South Africa. I was amazed at the inventive ways in which the finalists are creating wealth – it was eye-opening. I am looking forward to meeting all the participants and experiencing first-hand the profound impact that they have had on their communities." – Mbali Soga, Truelove editor-in-chief

The winners will be revealed at a glittering gala luncheon in October in Johannesburg. This year, the winners will take home their share of more than R692,000 in prizes! They also stand a chance of unlocking the 105-year-old business expertise of Santam, and the networking reach of Fairlady and Truelove, all of which will elevate a business to greater heights.

The prizes

• R125,000 in cash to the Woman of the Future and R75,000 in cash each to the Rising Star and the Social Entrepreneur from Santam
  
• A luxury beauty hamper worth R10,000 from our beauty partner, Lancôme
  
• A full-page advertisement in Fairlady or Truelove to promote the business, social enterprise or NPO
  
• Invaluable mentorship with one of the judges
  
• An online masterclass worth R4,100 from the Gordon Institute of Business Science
  
• A hamper from the IV Bar, including a Jetfuel drip, worth R7,330
  
• A women’s dress watch from Seiko worth R7,000
  
• Business printing worth R5,000 from Lithotech
  
• A STACKD spinner and Weekender cosmetic case worth a total of R6 498 from Samsonite
  
• A spa voucher worth R5,000 from Camelot Spa

Lancôme, our official beauty partner, shares our commitment to empowering women and recognises the importance of acknowledging their accomplishments.

Once again, we are opening voting for the Readers’ Choice Award. To cast your vote, visit www.womenofthefuture.co.za or SMS the name Candice, Glynn, Lamise, Lilian, Mpho, Nombuyiselo, Selanei, Shantelle or Zanele to 35409. SMSes cost R1.50.

For awards updates, follow #SantamWOTF on social media and the following platforms:
Santam: www.facebook.com/SantamInsurance on Facebook; @SantamForBiz on LinkedIn; and @SantamInsurance on Instagram
Fairlady: www.facebook.com/fairladymag on Facebook; @FairladyMag on Twitter; and @Fairlady_Magazine on Instagram
Truelove: www.facebook.com/TrueLoveMag on Facebook; @TrueLoveMag on Twitter; and @truelovemagazine on Instagram
Lancôme: https://www.facebook.com/LancomeSouthAfrica on Facebook; @lancomeofficial on Instagram or follow #LancomeAfrica

Contact details

For interviews and campaign-related queries, please contact Roxanne Kreutle at moc.42aidem@eltuerK.ennaxoR or on WhatsApp at 084 852 1447.