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Speaker
Dr Sibongile Vilakazi
Keynote dialogue on executive leadership transformation, institutional governance, and empowering the next generation of women leaders.
EmpowaHer™ Leadership Summit 202629–31 October 2026
EmpowaHer™ Leadership SummitThe Future Is Female™
THE FUTURE
IS FEMALE™
A Three-Day Leadership Experience for Africa's Next Generation of Women Leaders (18–35)
EmpowaWorx House, Randburg, Johannesburg
EmpowaHer™ is a three-day leadership experience designed to prepare Africa’s next generation of women leaders to compete, lead and succeed across business, government, entrepreneurship and the boardroom.
Live Summit Countdown
Road to EmpowaHer™ 2026
29–31 October 2026•EmpowaWorx House, Randburg
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Latest News
EmpowaHer™ Leadership Summit 2026 Opens Nominations to Accelerate Africa's Next Generation of Women Leaders
Nominations are now open for a three-day, continent-wide executive leadership experience. 200 exceptional women aged 18–35 will be selected from across South Africa and the African continent.
Read the Full Press Release
ABOUT US
Women Lead What Comes Next.
“Africa’s future will be shaped by the women who are equipped, connected and empowered to lead it.”
Simphiwe Masiza
Founder, EmpowaWorx™
PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE IN ACTION
EmpowaWomen™
Highlight Reel.
Witness the scale, production excellence, and transformative convening power of our leadership-platform architecture in action across Africa.
Click to Play Broadcast Reel
10th Annual EmpowaWomen Leadership Summit
01 — Multi-Sector Convening
Cabinet, Corporate & Global Icons
A verified stage uniting high-calibre women leaders with ministers, enterprise founders, and multinational board chairs.
02 — Broadcast-Calibre Infrastructure
High-Impact Experiential Design
World-class production, curated masterclass studios, and immersive media delivery that amplifies participant influence.
03 — Pan-African Pipeline
200 Emerging Leaders (18–35)
A rigorous, measurable talent springboard accelerating exceptional young women into boardrooms and commercial leadership.
SPEAKER & NOMINEE VIDEO GALLERY
Voices of Leadership & Impact
Watch keynote addresses, candidate leader perspectives, strategic partner alignments, and exclusive executive interviews documenting Africa’s premier women empowerment accelerator.
Keynote SpeakerYouTube HD
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Speaker
Louisa Zondo
Reflections on civic courage, ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and transformative governance in Africa.
Keynote SpeakerYouTube HD
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Speaker
Zizipho Mqwala Nyanga
Masterclass insights on executive readiness, board capability, personal transformation, and commercial leadership.
Emerging Leader NomineeYouTube HD
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Nominee
Bomibakhe Mbolekwa
Candidate leader perspective on high-impact enterprise, innovation, and breaking barriers across South African industry.
Keynote SpeakerYouTube HD
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Speaker
Tseliso Mohlomi
Strategic perspectives on digital innovation, enterprise capability, and career acceleration for emerging executives.
Keynote SpeakerYouTube HD
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Speaker
Nomonde White-Ndlovu
Technology and digital leadership address on unlocking AI, career growth, and shaping Africa’s next knowledge economy.
SUMMIT FACULTY & KEYNOTE LUMINARIES
Confirmed Speakers & Mentors.
An elite assembly of corporate board chairpersons, C-suite executives, public policy leaders, financial wellness pioneers, and enterprise founders convening to mentor Africa’s next generation of 200 women leaders.
12 Confirmed Luminaries
Entrepreneurship
Amanda Dambuza
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Uyandiswa
Leadership
Dr Sibongile Vilakazi (MA, PHD, CCXP)
Award-Winning Future Leader; Organisational Developer; Best-Selling Author; Lecturer; Independent Non-Executive Director, Kalagadi Manganese Mining Co.
Personal Finance & Wealth Creation
Itumeleng Nkadimeng
Partner and First Black Female Head of Corporate Tax: KPMG South Africa
Health
Khanyi Mlambo
Managing Director: Lighthouse Leadership Advisory
Personal Leadership & Career Transformation
Luthando Mzilikazi
Regional Head of Inland Sales: Nedgroup Investments
Leadership
Simphiwe Masiza
Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer: EmpowaWorx
Digital Leadership
Nozipho Tshabalala
Chief Executive Officer: Conversation Strategists
Citizenship & Social Impact
Nhlanhla Mjoli-Mncube
Lead Independent Director, ABSA | CEO, Mjoli Development Co
Personal Finance & Wealth Creation
Samke Mhlongo
Founder & Principal Strategist, The Next Chapter Global
Leadership
Sindi Mabaso-Koyana
Chairperson, MTN South Africa | Independent Non-Executive Director, MTN Group | Managing Partner, AIH Capital Private Equity Fund
Rights
Yanga Mputa
Tax Ombud: Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO), South Africa
Entrepreneurship
Zizipho Mqwala Nyanga
South African Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), Banking Executive and Social Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship
Amanda Dambuza
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Uyandiswa
Leadership
Dr Sibongile Vilakazi (MA, PHD, CCXP)
Award-Winning Future Leader; Organisational Developer; Best-Selling Author; Lecturer; Independent Non-Executive Director, Kalagadi Manganese Mining Co.
Personal Finance & Wealth Creation
Itumeleng Nkadimeng
Partner and First Black Female Head of Corporate Tax: KPMG South Africa
Health
Khanyi Mlambo
Managing Director: Lighthouse Leadership Advisory
Personal Leadership & Career Transformation
Luthando Mzilikazi
Regional Head of Inland Sales: Nedgroup Investments
Leadership
Simphiwe Masiza
Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer: EmpowaWorx
Digital Leadership
Nozipho Tshabalala
Chief Executive Officer: Conversation Strategists
Citizenship & Social Impact
Nhlanhla Mjoli-Mncube
Lead Independent Director, ABSA | CEO, Mjoli Development Co
Personal Finance & Wealth Creation
Samke Mhlongo
Founder & Principal Strategist, The Next Chapter Global
Leadership
Sindi Mabaso-Koyana
Chairperson, MTN South Africa | Independent Non-Executive Director, MTN Group | Managing Partner, AIH Capital Private Equity Fund
Rights
Yanga Mputa
Tax Ombud: Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO), South Africa
Entrepreneurship
Zizipho Mqwala Nyanga
South African Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), Banking Executive and Social Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship
Amanda Dambuza
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Uyandiswa
Leadership
Dr Sibongile Vilakazi (MA, PHD, CCXP)
Award-Winning Future Leader; Organisational Developer; Best-Selling Author; Lecturer; Independent Non-Executive Director, Kalagadi Manganese Mining Co.
Personal Finance & Wealth Creation
Itumeleng Nkadimeng
Partner and First Black Female Head of Corporate Tax: KPMG South Africa
Health
Khanyi Mlambo
Managing Director: Lighthouse Leadership Advisory
Personal Leadership & Career Transformation
Luthando Mzilikazi
Regional Head of Inland Sales: Nedgroup Investments
Leadership
Simphiwe Masiza
Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer: EmpowaWorx
Digital Leadership
Nozipho Tshabalala
Chief Executive Officer: Conversation Strategists
Citizenship & Social Impact
Nhlanhla Mjoli-Mncube
Lead Independent Director, ABSA | CEO, Mjoli Development Co
Personal Finance & Wealth Creation
Samke Mhlongo
Founder & Principal Strategist, The Next Chapter Global
Leadership
Sindi Mabaso-Koyana
Chairperson, MTN South Africa | Independent Non-Executive Director, MTN Group | Managing Partner, AIH Capital Private Equity Fund
Rights
Yanga Mputa
Tax Ombud: Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO), South Africa
Entrepreneurship
Zizipho Mqwala Nyanga
South African Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), Banking Executive and Social Entrepreneur
MEET OUR FACULTY IN THE ROOM
Learn Directly From Africa’s Most Accomplished Women Leaders.
EmpowaHer™ is an invitation-led, three-day accelerator providing 200 young women leaders (aged 18–35) with unfettered boardroom mentorship, masterclasses, and executive sponsorship.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Accelerating Africa’s Female Talent
EmpowaHer™ convenes ambitious women, senior leaders and purpose-led organisations around the practical pathways that turn potential into lasting influence.
View Full Programme & ScheduleLEADERSHIP IN ACTION
A focused three-day experience spanning capability, confidence, connection and commercial opportunity.
A CURATED COHORT
200 high-potential women leaders connected to the people, platforms and pathways that move Africa forward.
EmpowaHer™ 2026
200Leaders
9Tracks
3Days
Official 2026 Programme Itinerary
Download The Complete 3-Day Summit Programme
Comprehensive breakdown of opening plenaries, 9 executive tracks, speakers faculty, and graduation ceremonies.
ON THE AIRWAVES • PODCASTS & BROADCASTS
Voices of
Leadership.
Listen to flagship national radio broadcasts, executive dialogues, and podcast features unpacking the EmpowaHer™ Leadership Summit 2026, female economic inclusion, and the next generation of African women leaders.
METRO FM07:27 min
Best Mornings with DJ Sabby
EmpowaHer Summit 2026 – The Future Is Female
Featuring: DJ Sabby, Kandis Kardash, Owen Hannie & Zandile Hopa
RADIO 200012:06 min
#TheBigBreakfast Show with DJ Sbu
BigStories: EmpowaWorx and EmpowaWomen Key Initiatives
Featuring: Simphiwe Masiza with DJ Sbu & Nathi Ndamase
SONKE RADIO53.15 MB • Master Audio
EmpowaHer Strategic Mission Series
Sonke Radio Feature Interview & Leadership Archive
Featuring: EmpowaHer Leadership Delegation
OFFICIAL MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT • 8 SEPTEMBER 2026
EmpowaHer Opens Nominations for 200 of Africa’s Next Generation of Women Leaders
Official announcement detailing the opening of continent-wide nominations for young women aged 18–35 to participate in the flagship 2026 executive leadership experience at EmpowaWorx House.
NOMINATIONS
Nominate a Leader
Nominate a woman whose ambition is matched by evidence of influence, initiative and a desire to advance others.
- 01Recognise leadership beyond the title.
- 02Help build Africa’s next generation of leaders.
- 03Women aged 18–35 from across South Africa and the African continent.
PARTNER VISIBILITY & COALITION
EmpowaHer™ Is Brought To You By
Explore Strategic PartnershipsInaugural 2026 Leadership Coalition
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Partner With Purpose.
Partner with EmpowaHer™ to create meaningful access to the women shaping Africa’s future.
Become A Strategic PartnerTALENT PIPELINE
Meet a credible, curated network of emerging women leaders ready for what comes next.
VISIBLE IMPACT
Turn commitments to women into an experience with clear, measurable outcomes.
SHARED PLATFORM
Shape the conversations, skills and opportunities that will define Africa’s next economy.
Ready to collaborate on executive sponsorship, bursaries, or plenary tracks?
Explore Strategic PartnershipsFOR PROSPECTIVE FUNDERS & CORPORATE SPONSORSInvest In Africa’s
Invest In Africa’s
Next Generation Of Leaders.
Align institutional capital with measurable female leadership advancement. Partner across Title & Plenary sponsorships, executive track ownership, and fully funded cohort bursaries.
Download The Complete Partnership Proposal & Prospectus
Access detailed investment tiers, corporate benefits, demographic data, and strategic activation models.
EMPOWAHER™ LEADERSHIP TEAM
Meet The Team.
The leaders shaping the strategy, execution, and storytelling behind Africa’s premier women leadership platform.
Simphiwe Masiza
Founder & Executive Producer, EmpowaHer™
Simphiwe Masiza is the founder and driving force behind EmpowaWomen™, providing strategic vision, ecosystem leadership, stakeholder engagement, and platform growth. He leads the development of transformative experiences, strategic partnerships, and high-impact platforms that position women at the centre of leadership, investment, innovation, governance, and economic advancement.
Bonnie Maponya
Chief of Staff
Bonnie Maponya provides executive leadership across the EmpowaWomen™ ecosystem, ensuring world-class delivery, operational excellence, governance, stakeholder value, and programme execution.
Sechaba Motsieloa
Managing Executive
Sechaba Motsieloa is a seasoned executive with deep expertise in organisational strategy and transformational leadership. His track record spans multiple industries, where he has consistently delivered measurable outcomes and built high-performing teams.
Boitumelo Mmakou
Digital Social Media and PR Specialist
Boitumelo drives the firm’s digital presence and brand storytelling across social and media channels. She ensures the firm’s work reaches the clients and audiences who need it most.
PRODUCED BY EMPOWAWORX
EmpowaWorx™
About
EmpowaWorx™ builds platforms that develop people, connect possibility and move inclusive growth from intention to action.
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