The finalists for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award 2026 have been revealed, marking the fifth iteration of this program in South Africa. This award continues its mission to honor women who are transforming entire industries, showcasing the dynamic nature of African entrepreneurship—characterized by vision, global awareness, community focus, and strong ambition.
Категории награждения
The initiative recognizes two distinct groups: the Bold Woman Award, which is designated for established entrepreneurs who have been operating for over five years, and the Bold Future Award, intended to spotlight emerging founders running high-impact businesses that are less than five years old. Organizers noted that the current group of participants exemplifies a new wave of African enterprise defined by social influence, global competitiveness, and drive.
Финалисты Bold Woman Award
Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa, the founder of Lindiwe Sanitary Pads, has successfully established Africa's first large-scale manufacturing facility for women-owned sanitary pads. Since its founding in 2018, the company produces sanitary products compliant with SABS standards at scale and supplies South Africa’s National Sanitary Dignity Programme. Furthermore, in 2026, the company distributed complimentary products to over 100,000 schoolgirls, growing the business into a multi-million-rand operation after securing necessary funding without requiring collateral.
Sonto Pooe, who founded Nativechild, created a line of plant-based hair and body care products stemming from her personal experiences with hair damage. What started as a small, home-based venture has expanded into a significant retail brand available across the nation and exported to other African regions and the United States. Nativechild is recognized as a prominent Black-owned natural haircare brand within South Africa.
Xolile Mabuza, founder of Tendalo Trading, transformed her post-stroke recovery into a sustainable business model. Her company repurposes discarded rubber tubes into unique, handcrafted fashion accessories, thereby preventing an estimated 1.2 million tubes from entering landfills every month. Her innovative work has attracted international notice, including interactions with global leaders regarding sustainable fashion advancements.
Финалисты Bold Future Award
Maambele Khosa, founder of SheCab, launched a women-operated transportation platform in 2021, prioritizing both safety and empowerment. This ride-hailing service facilitates connections between female drivers and female passengers, evolving from initial WhatsApp bookings into a comprehensive platform supporting mobility and economic empowerment.
Pretty Kubyane, serving as co-founder and tech lead of eFama App, is working to digitize agricultural supply chains by developing an AI-powered marketplace that links farmers directly with buyers. Despite facing initial skepticism, she has cultivated a strong technical leadership profile, bolstered by global certifications and collaborations with major technology corporations.
Tshaamano Mabuba, founder of Buddy Learning, developed BuddyAI, a tutoring platform accessible via WhatsApp that supports multiple languages and is specifically designed for areas with limited data connectivity. This platform has provided educational support to more than 10,000 families, offering accessible learning resources to students throughout Southern Africa.
Дальнейшие планы
The recipients of the 2026 Bold Woman and Bold Future Awards are scheduled to be announced on July 15th. All winners will subsequently become part of the global Bold by Veuve Clicquot network, an organization that has spent over five decades acknowledging women who are redefining leadership and innovation around the world.