Sharney Blackway shines as shero winner at Queenpreneur awards

Boksburg’s own Sharney Blackway, the founder and director of the Sharney Blackway Foundation, has made history after being crowned winner of the shero category at the Queenpreneur Awards, recently hosted by the MAPW3 Movement in Woodmead.

The shero category recognises social entrepreneurs making a profound impact through wellness-focused businesses. The term shero celebrates women who act as heroes in their communities, bravely transforming lives through their ventures.

The MAPW3 Movement, dedicated to empowering African women through wellness, wisdom, and wealth, honours women who embody resilience, leadership, and transformation in their communities. The awards feature four categories: grow & scale, shero, start-up, and ideation.
Sharney’s path to this recognition is as inspiring as it is determinedly persued.

“As small businesses, we are constantly looking for ways to fund our businesses so that we can access grants and grow while continuing to make an impact
“I saw the post on Instagram about the awards, which had prizes of up to R1m, and I applied. There were 250 applications, and I was honoured to be in the top 25,” she explained.

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The competition was intense, with finalists required to pitch their businesses and showcase their impact through a set of customised questions. Judges looked beyond innovative ideas, focusing on tangible and measurable contributions to society.

From these contenders, Sharney rose to the top, winning the shero category. Her prize package included customised training, development, and coaching worth R5 000, enrolment in the Social Entrepreneurship Programme at GIBS valued at R35 000, and a cash prize of R12 500.

According to Sharney, her foundation is rooted in compassion and empowerment, dedicated to uplifting people from all walks of life, raising awareness of critical health challenges, and building a global community centred on resilience, healing, and hope.

Her initiatives, particularly in supporting cancer patients and their families, have already earned her recognition for combining practical support with emotional care.

Winning the shero award has only strengthened her resolve. “This recognition is not just for me but for every person who has walked a journey of pain and transformation. It’s about creating spaces where women and communities can thrive,” she said.

The Queenpreneur Awards reflect the heart of the MAPW3 Movement’s vision of celebrating women who are rewriting narratives, driving innovation, and uplifting others while staying grounded in wellness, wisdom, and wealth.

Also Read: Sharney launches foundation to uplift cancer patients