Women Power Awards honour 40 business trailblazers
The annual event highlights entrepreneurs and community leaders who have built businesses, created opportunities and inspired others to pursue their ambitions.
The fifth annual Women Power Awards recognised 40 women whose determination and leadership are making a difference across the region.
The Region C GBV Forum, in collaboration with Westgate Shopping Centre, hosted the awards on August 27 to celebrate women making a meaningful impact in the business sector.
Celebrating women who take the lead
The event recognised women across categories including Emerging Entrepreneur, Enterprise Excellence, Community Impact and Innovative Entrepreneur.
According to forum member Vathiswa Nkuzo, the awards shine a light on women who have gone above and beyond to build businesses from the ground up.
“Some of them started their business during the Covid-19 period, plagued by a high unemployment rate, but they decided not to sit back,” she said.
Nkuzo said nominees are put forward by their communities before the forum reviews the nominations and selects women who excel in their respective fields.
“Overall, these awards serve as motivation for women to show they can do more,” said Nkuzo.
“In the olden days, women were limited to the kitchen, but now we are saying women are standing up. It is also to encourage those who have not started but wish to start.”
Business partners also receive recognition
Westgate also honoured its business partners during the ceremony.
Awards were presented in categories including People’s Choice, Financial Excellence, Problem Solver of the Year and Best Client Relations.
The recognition highlighted the contribution of businesses and individuals supporting the centre and its wider business community.
Recycling entrepreneur takes the spotlight
Among the award recipients was Dobsonville-based Busisiwe Nkwanyana, who received the Agro-processing Excellence Award.
Nkwanyana told the Roodepoort Record that she was both proud and surprised by the recognition.
“I am into recycling and visit schools to educate learners about recycling candle wax or leftover soap into new products,” said Nkwanyana.
She said the recognition left her feeling excited and proud. “I’m very excited and proud of myself.”
The ceremony concluded with guests enjoying food and refreshments.
