She Can, She Will, She’s Next Competition crowns winners
Christine Masaiti, founder of Grandstage Trading, was named the 2025 winner of the She Can, She Will, She’s Next Competition, walking away with R450 000.
In a celebration of innovation, resilience, and the power of women-led businesses, Christine Masaiti, founder and CEO of Grandstage Trading, emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 She Can, She Will, She’s Next Competition. The programme by Visa, in partnership with Absa, is aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across Africa.
Held at The Forum in Hyde Park on September 23, the event brought together finalists from across South Africa, showcasing their businesses and sharing their visions for impactful growth.
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Masaiti received R450 000 in funding to grow her business. An amount that, she says, will transform the lives of the smallholder farmers she serves.
Masaiti’s winning pitch focused on Avopap, a modular, solar-powered mobile processing unit that helps avocado farmers turn surplus and waste into high-value avocado oil and by-products, right at the farm gate.
“Tandi, a small avocado farmer I met, lost five tonnes of produce, worth R70 000, because she couldn’t access a processing facility. Her story inspired me to build Avopap, not just to process avocados, but to restore dignity, income, and opportunity to women like her.” said Masaiti during her presentation.
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Each Avopap unit processes avocados on-site, drastically reducing waste and increasing farmers’ income by up to 40%, while being 30% more cost-effective than traditional fixed processing plants. “It’s more than oil; it’s prosperity, empowerment, and climate action.”
Zimkhitha Duze, founder of Uuka Bricks, was awarded R270 000 for second place, and an additional R100 000 for the Social Impact Award. Uuka Bricks produces eco-friendly, energy-efficient bricks using minimal water and recycled materials, a major contribution to South Africa’s green building revolution. “We’re not just making bricks; we’re building futures,” said Duze. “This funding will help us scale up production and create more jobs, especially for women in rural communities.”
Third place went to Tebogo Molotsi, founder of Stitches and Uniforms, who received R150 000. Her business provides custom uniforms for schools and organisations, supporting local tailors and seamstresses, particularly single mothers. “Every stitch tells a story of empowerment, of pride, of South African excellence,” said Molotsi. “This award is a reminder that our work matters.”
Head of corporate citizenship at Absa Group Mpho Nhlabathi highlighted the importance of consistency in building a successful business. “Success doesn’t come from doing something occasionally; it comes from doing it consistently. Christina, Zimkhitha, Tebogo… You’ve shown that consistency in action. To all 1 000 women who entered, you are all winners. We are proud to walk this journey with you.”
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