"The entrepreneurs who entered the 2020 Santam Women of the Future Awards, in association with FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE, have once again inspired us with their entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to seeing their business ideas through and the sheer resilience and determination they have shown during this unprecedented time," says the team at the awards.

The panel of judges presiding over the awards for 2020 include:
  • Professor Thuli Madonsela: chair in social justice at Stellenbosch University, and founder of the Social Justice M-Plan and the Thuma Foundation
  • Dawn Nathan-Jones: social entrepreneur
  • Redi Tlhabi: radio and TV presenter, author, producer and facilitator
  • Enid Lizamore: executive head of human resources at Santam
  • Suzy Brokensha: FAIRLADY's editor, and
  • Mbali Soga: TRUELOVE's editor.
"This year has been an extraordinarily difficult one for business everywhere — not just in South Africa. But the nine phenomenal finalists in this year's Santam Women of the Future Awards in association with FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE are outstanding," says Suzy Brokensha, FAIRLADY's editor. 

"They have refused to be beaten down by circumstances; instead, they have powered through, often improving their businesses in the process. Reading the nearly 700 entries we received this year made me want to stand up and applaud," adds Brokensha.

"There's never been a more pressing time to assist entrepreneurs, with the COVID-19 pandemic bringing the South African economy to its knees. I am so proud that we, as brands, can collaborate to assist in these dire times, and I implore more organisations to step up and lend a hand too," says Mbali Soga, TRUELOVE's editor. 

"We could all sit in boardrooms and debate the magnitude of the situation, or we could roll up our sleeves and really help. The future of our country lies in the hands of self-made, enterprising women," adds Soga.

Through an independent survey, Santam found that the first 1 000 days of business are the hardest and that if you're still in business by day 1001, you're likely to succeed in the long term. 

The women eligible for the awards are 30 or older and have been in business for at least 1 000 days. The finalists include:
  • Catherine Clark of The Harvest Table, a health and nutrition business that specialises in supplements.
  • Luella Naidoo of Jezriel Craig Holdings, which connects graduates who have a BSc or business degree with companies in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Mmamontsheng Dulcy Rakumakoe of Quadcare Occupational Health, a network of medical centres in low- to middle-income communities.
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