Honouring female entrepreneurs
JOBURG – Winners of the Fairlady Women of the Future 2015 Awards were announced at The Maslow in Sandton.
Fairlady magazine, in partnership with insurance company Santam, searched the country for the top and most deserving women entrepreneurs.
Boitumelo Ntsoane, managing director of Afrilink HealthCare was awarded the Fairlady Women of the Future 2015 title. Ntsoane, who owns a primary health care service, said the win reinforced the feeling that she was on the right track to expand her business empire.
“It is an affirmation that I am stepping into my purpose, and that I should just keep going,” added Ntsoane.
“I feel that I don’t just have a job, but that I am living my purpose.”
The Fairlady Rising Star 2015 Award winner was Amy de Castro, owner of Bamboo Revolution, a producer of unique bamboo and leather wristwatches. “Hopefully I can inspire young entrepreneurs, particularly women, that there’s so much opportunity out there and you just have to grab hold of it,” said De Castro.
The two winners were selected from an inspiring pool of entries by a respected panel of successful and pioneering judges. The panel included Public Protector Thuli Madonsela; Santam executive head of Brand, Yegs Ramiah; author, motivational speaker and former personal assistant to Nelson Mandela, Zelda La Grange; TV presenter, master of ceremonies and businesswoman Gerry Rantseli Elsdon, and Fairlady editor, Suzy Brokensha.
“Being on the judging panel for the Fairlady Women of the Future Awards was really rewarding,” said Brokensha.
“South Africa produces formidable entrepreneurs, but these women were in a league of their own.”
Ramiah added, “They were all deserving of their spot in this competition, but unfortunately there could only be two winners. The high calibre of their business ethics and quality of their operations has earned our winners their titles.”
Some of the guests who attended the awards ceremony included former Miss South Africa, Claudia Henkel; Miss South Africa, Liesl Laurie; CliffCentral.com personality and TV presenter, Jen Su; and sports media personality and businesswoman, Kass Naidoo.
Details: @FairladyMag
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