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 2011
Leila 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 Model
The 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 businessperson
Matheba 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 entrepreneur
In 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 Group
A 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, Cameroon
Enonchong 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 Nigeria
Alongside 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:

  1. Graça Machel — founder of the Graça Machel Trust
  2. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma — South African minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, and former AU commission chairperson
  3. Judy Dlamini — co-founder and executive chairperson of Mbekani Group
  4. Naledi Pandor — South African minister of international relations and cooperation
  5. Aisha Pandor — CEO and co-founder of SweepSouth
  6. Nomusa Dube Ncube
  7. Mxolisi Kaunda
  8. Leila Lopes — Angolan supermodel and Miss Universe 2011
  9. Lira — South African singer, songwriter, actress, model, author and entrepreneur
  10. Bisila Bokoko — United States-based Beninese-Spanish wine entrepreneur
  11. Malaika Uwamahoro — Rwandan poet and theatre personality
  12. Kargbo — entrepreneur and activist from Sierra Leone
  13. Jaishree Naidoo — Durban-based paediatrician
  14. Ela Gandhi — Durban-based activist and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi
  15. Lebohang Lebogo — South Africa's first female drone pilot
  16. Nozuko Teto — opera singer from Durban
  17. Caitlin Rooskrantz — 17-year-old South African gymnast
  18. Leleti Khumalo —South African Actress, star of Sarafina
  19. Salah Goss — head of the Mastercard Lab for Financial Inclusion
  20. Ndiweni — director at PwC
  21. Renuka David — India-based doctor and entrepreneur, MD of Radiant Medical Services
  22. Toyin Sanni — group CEO of United Capital, Nigeria
  23. Enonchong — Cameroon-based tech entrepreneur and CEO of AppsTech
  24. Elizabeth Moreno — Ghana-based managing director of HP
  25. Ibukun Awosika — chair of First Bank of Nigeria
  26. Mafahle Mareletse — group vice president TMEA and general manager at Avon
  27. Ebehijie Momoh — senior vice president, general manager, West Africa, Mastercard
  28. Suzanne Morel — country manager, Mastercard South Africa
  29. Bafana Khumalo — Sonke Gender Justice
  30. Glenda Gray — president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council
  31. DJ Zinhle — musician
  32. Bogolo Kenewendo — economist and politician in Botswana
  33. Irene Charnley — founder and deputy chairperson of Smile Telecoms
  34. Botsang Morobe — associate principal at the Public Investment Corporation
  35. Charmaine Mabuza — co-founder and group CEO of Zamani Holdings
  36. Pinkie Kekana — South African deputy minister of communications
  37. Nyekachi Douglas — Miss World Africa and Miss World Top Model
  38. Bonang Matheba — South African television personality, philanthropist and businesswoman
  39. S'onqoba Vuba — managing director of Perpetu8
  40. Olojumole Adenowo — African architect, founder of AD Consulting in Nigeria
  41. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo — financial services executive, author and founder of the Lighthouse Women's Network.
  42. 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.