Award celebrates bold women driving change in SA

What does bold business look like in 2025? For South African entrepreneurs Phindile Cebekhulu-Msomi and Retang Phaahla, it means building companies that are deeply personal, community-focused, and culturally rooted, while solving real-world challenges.

That spirit was front and centre on the evening of July 16 at Hyde Park Corner, as Veuve Clicquot announced its 2025 Bold Woman Award winners.

More than a celebration of business success; the annual awards honour women who lead with vision, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to their communities.

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Cebekhulu-Msomi, founder and CEO of Hazile Group, was presented with the Bold Future Award for her leadership in climate-resilient solutions in rural areas. Her company focuses on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and water access, empowering communities often left behind by mainstream innovation. “This award validates that innovation doesn’t have to be flashy to be bold. It can look like compost, solar pumps, or water tanks in a forgotten village. Being bold is building, even when the odds are stacked against you, and rising anyway, not just for yourself, but for the generation of women behind you.”

Phaahla, founder of Setšong Tea Crafters, claimed the Bold Woman Award for her mission to uplift Limpopo’s rural economy by transforming indigenous knowledge into a thriving, eco-conscious tea brand. “Our ancestors passed down stories through the land and through plants. I’m honoured to carry those stories forward through Setšong. This award tells us there’s space for heritage in modern entrepreneurship. Boldness is choosing to lead with purpose, even when the path is uncharted.”

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Now in its fourth year in South Africa, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards are inspired by Madame Clicquot herself, a 19th-century innovator who reshaped the champagne industry with audacity and intellect.

The judging panel, featuring past winners Amanda Dambuza and Morongwe Mokone, alongside experts Erik Kruger, Happy Ralinala, and Timothy Maurice Webster, praised the winners for leading with impact and authenticity. “These women remind us that boldness doesn’t always mean being the loudest in the room; it means doing the right thing with consistency and clarity,” said Mokone.

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