The
FWA Leading Women Summit has announced that the theme of the 2020 event will be 'The Ceiling Crashers 2.0: Power with Purpose'. The summit, hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal government and presented by Mastercard, will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC Complex in Durban on Friday, 6 March.
"Using the format of panel discussions and 'In the Spotlight' talks, attendees of the summit will have a unique opportunity to hear from the continent's most influential female leaders," says Renuka Methil, managing editor of
FWA.
"As a wholly inclusive event, the programme welcomes a really dynamic cross-section of speakers — from iconic musicians and sportswomen through to tech CEOs and financial experts. This showcases the advancement of women in every aspect of society," adds Methil.
2020's '#LWS2020KZN' will host the following speakers:
Leila Lopes: Angolan supermodel and Miss Universe 2011Leila Lopes, a black woman who aims to embrace her beauty and heritage, is striving to break traditional concepts of beauty, while positioning herself as an advocate for African women globally.
As a humanitarian and entrepreneur, Lopes is developing a socially-conscious brand of sanitary products, with all proceeds invested in developing health and education. The president of amnesty international for London Metropolitan University, Lopes is furthering her own education, currently studying international relations and politics.
"I feel like I'm still struggling to find the perfect words to describe how grateful I am to have been offered the opportunity to be a part of such an impactful and unforgettable moment — not just from a professional standpoint but a personal one as well," says Lopes.
"I will be sharing the panel with other amazing women whom I admire and, together, we will empower many others. I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences, biggest achievements, flaws, as well as my future goals and how I'm working towards them," adds Lopes.
Nyekachi Douglas: Miss World Africa and Miss World Top ModelThe 21-year-old Nigerian model has made an impact on the international fashion industry, modelling alongside supermodels including Naomi Campbell and Liya Kebi for designers David Tlale, Lanre Da Silva and Tiffany Amber.
Having featured in British
Vogue and
Models dot, this public health major is "passionate about the dynamic opportunities offered by this diverse and inspiring industry".
Bonang Matheba: South African television personality, philanthropist and businesspersonMatheba has become an entrepreneurial powerhouse at home and abroad. In 2011, she became the first South African to launch an online reality show (
B*Dazzled), after which she became the first international ambassador for Revlon outside of the United States.
She was the first South African to host the
MTV Europe Music Awards and first African to get an
E! News Special — Africa on E!. She has since released her book,
From A to B and premiered her reality show
Being Bonang.
Lira: International singer, songwriter, actress, model, author, performer and entrepreneurIn her 15-year career, Lira has amassed multiple accomplishments, including:
- seven studio albums
- three live DVDs
- an autobiography
- a seven-part documentary series (Lira: Dreamchaser), and
- a full-feature movie.
Lira is instantly recognisable from her role as a judge on
The Voice South Africa and is an international judge on the television show
The World’s Best. Lira has earned her place as one of the youngest and most celebrated African icons of the modern age.
"I'm looking forward to the networking opportunity this will offer and all that I will learn from the women attending and the other speakers. Having been an accidental entrepreneur, I am looking to share my journey of how I started my business and managed to sustain my career for as long as I have. I believe true success starts within," says Lira.
Dr Judy Dlamini: Co-Founder and executive chairperson of Mbekani GroupA medical doctor turned entrepreneur, author and philanthropist, Dr Dlamini has received several business awards and honorary doctorates in her 24-year business career.
After practising medicine, Dr Dlamini used her MBA qualification from Wits University to change careers, moving over to HSBC Investment Bank before growing the Mbekani Group.
She authored the bestseller
Equal but Different, followed by
The Other Story. She is a non-executive director of SA SME Fund, an initiative partnering government, labour and the private sector to create jobs and grow an inclusive economy.
Dr Dlamini is also currently the chairperson of Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and the Chancellor of Wits University.
Rebecca Enonchong: Founder and CEO of AppsTech, CameroonEnonchong is a multi-award-winning businesswoman and founded AppsTech, a leading global provider of enterprise application solutions in 50 countries. Enonchong is the board chair of Afrilabs, a Pan-African network supporting more than 500 000 entrepreneurs in Africa.
Enonchong is also chairing ActivSpaces (African Center for Technology Innovation and Ventures), which supports entrepreneurs in Cameroon. Additionally, she is on the board of:
- Venture Capital for Africa (VC4Africa)
- Digital Africa
- the African Media Initiative
- Eneza Education
- Suguba, and
- iamtheCODE.
She is also co-founder of I / O Spaces; Cameroon Angels Network and African Business Angels Network.
Ibukun Awosika: Chairperson of First Bank NigeriaAlongside chairing Nigeria's most valuable banking brand, Ibukun is founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Groupm which is centred on manufacturing, retail and bank-way security systems services.
Awosika chairs a number of organisations, including House of Tara International and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, which addresses youth employment in Nigeria.
Her interest in female issues has seen her co-found and chair Women in Business, Management and Public Service, as well as be president of International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge.
An ordained pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, Ibukun works with faith-based organisations to provide medical, educational and other supplies. She is multiple award-winning entrepreneur and the first Nigerian recipient of the
International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge Award as a nominee of the Unites States Department of State in 2008.
The full speaker line-up for '#LWS2020KZN; includes:
- Graça Machel — founder of the Graça Machel Trust
- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma — South African minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, and former AU commission chairperson
- Judy Dlamini — co-founder and executive chairperson of Mbekani Group
- Naledi Pandor — South African minister of international relations and cooperation
- Aisha Pandor — CEO and co-founder of SweepSouth
- Nomusa Dube Ncube
- Mxolisi Kaunda
- Leila Lopes — Angolan supermodel and Miss Universe 2011
- Lira — South African singer, songwriter, actress, model, author and entrepreneur
- Bisila Bokoko — United States-based Beninese-Spanish wine entrepreneur
- Malaika Uwamahoro — Rwandan poet and theatre personality
- Kargbo — entrepreneur and activist from Sierra Leone
- Jaishree Naidoo — Durban-based paediatrician
- Ela Gandhi — Durban-based activist and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi
- Lebohang Lebogo — South Africa's first female drone pilot
- Nozuko Teto — opera singer from Durban
- Caitlin Rooskrantz — 17-year-old South African gymnast
- Leleti Khumalo —South African Actress, star of Sarafina
- Salah Goss — head of the Mastercard Lab for Financial Inclusion
- Ndiweni — director at PwC
- Renuka David — India-based doctor and entrepreneur, MD of Radiant Medical Services
- Toyin Sanni — group CEO of United Capital, Nigeria
- Enonchong — Cameroon-based tech entrepreneur and CEO of AppsTech
- Elizabeth Moreno — Ghana-based managing director of HP
- Ibukun Awosika — chair of First Bank of Nigeria
- Mafahle Mareletse — group vice president TMEA and general manager at Avon
- Ebehijie Momoh — senior vice president, general manager, West Africa, Mastercard
- Suzanne Morel — country manager, Mastercard South Africa
- Bafana Khumalo — Sonke Gender Justice
- Glenda Gray — president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council
- DJ Zinhle — musician
- Bogolo Kenewendo — economist and politician in Botswana
- Irene Charnley — founder and deputy chairperson of Smile Telecoms
- Botsang Morobe — associate principal at the Public Investment Corporation
- Charmaine Mabuza — co-founder and group CEO of Zamani Holdings
- Pinkie Kekana — South African deputy minister of communications
- Nyekachi Douglas — Miss World Africa and Miss World Top Model
- Bonang Matheba — South African television personality, philanthropist and businesswoman
- S'onqoba Vuba — managing director of Perpetu8
- Olojumole Adenowo — African architect, founder of AD Consulting in Nigeria
- Nkiru Olumide-Ojo — financial services executive, author and founder of the Lighthouse Women's Network.
- Renuka Methil, managing editor, Forbes Africa and FWA.
These speakers form part of the 2020 summit, which will be followed by the
FWA and gala dinner, celebrating Africa's most influential female 'ceiling crashers'.
Limited spaces are available for the event, therefore, interested parties are encouraged to book early at
www.webtickets.co.za.
For more information, visit
www.Leadingwomensummit.co.za. You can also follow the
FWA Leading Women Summit on
Facebook or on
Twitter.