The winners of the inaugural Good Hope FM ‘Warrior Woman Awards’ were announced during a glitzy gala event at the picturesque Zevenwacht Wine Estate this morning.
The ‘Warrior Woman Awards’ is a prestigious annual event that recognises and celebrates South African women from all walks of life - women who have achieved greatness through making a positive impact and inspiring people around them.
The event saw Good Hope FM’s ‘The Morning Show’ with Leigh-Anne Williams, Sandra Rosenberg and Delucia Daniels broadcasting live from the venue, with 36 finalists across 12 categories – all formidable, impactful women, dressed to the tee – supporting each other and keenly anticipating the results.
The station called for nominations at the beginning of September 2024 and was overwhelmed by hundreds of women being nominated for the various categories - Social Impact Champion, Innovation and Technology Pioneer, Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Community SHERO, Visionary Leader, Empowerment Advocate, Excellence in Arts, Trail Blazer of the Year, Young Achiever, Sport Achievement and Lifetime Achievement.
After a meticulous selection process, 3 finalists were announced per category, followed by a week of public voting, where thousands of votes were cast, and ultimately our internal judges’ selection of the winners.
These winners are:
- Social Impact Champion: Lucinda Evans, from Lavender Hill
- Innovation and Technology Pioneer: Natasha Ross from Soneike, Kuilsrivier
- Excellence In Entrepreneurship: Merecia Smith from Idas Valley, Stellenbosch
- Women in Business: Shirley Zinn rom Fish Hoek
- Community SHERO: Janine Fabe from Mitchell’s Plain, Westridge
- Visionary Leader: Zeenat Isaacs, Mitchell’s Plain
- Empowerment Advocate: Naz Fredericks-Maharaj from the Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
- Excellence in Arts: Kiara Ramklass from Claremont
- Trailblazer of the Year: Mishquah Achmat from Wetton
- Young Achiever: Brittany Smith from Kuilsriver
- Sport Achievement: Elvina 'Vee' da Silva from Landsdowne
- Lifetime Achievement: Janine Myburgh from Parow
Good Hope FM and 5FM PCS Combo Business Manager, Masixole Mdingane, says, “We wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every woman who was nominated, made the group of finalists and, of course, our winners. It’s simply astounding to see and feel the reach and impact of truly golden hearts, minds and hands like theirs. They are prime examples of how South African women don’t shy away from any challenge or let a single opportunity to do good go by. These women are architects of greatness, no matter where they find themselves, and it is our absolute privilege to honour them. It has us looking forward in keen anticipation to next year’s awards.”
Tune in to Good Hope FM, visit www.goodhopefm.co.za, follow Good Hope FM on social media or download the Good Hope FM app for iOS and Android for more.
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NOTE TO EDITORS – QUOTES, MORE ABOUT EACH CATEGORY AND MORE ABOUT EACH WINNER:
QUOTES FROM LEIGH-ANNE WILLIAMS, SANDRA ROSENBERG AND DELUCIA DANIELS FROM ‘THE MORNING SHOW’:
Leigh-Anne Williams
"After a six-year journey with the Warrior Woman feature, it's so wonderful to see the Warrior Woman Awards coming to life and celebrating the incredible women of Cape Town. I am blown away and so inspired by the women we have met along this incredible journey, and I am looking forward to growing this awards platform into something even bigger and far-reaching than this year."
Sandra Rosenberg
"The inaugural Warrior Women Awards was a truly inspiring celebration of incredible women who are breaking barriers and leading with purpose across industries and communities. It was such an honour to recognise their strength, resilience, and vision. These women are not just shaping the future; they are actively creating it, and their achievements will inspire generations to come. We’re exceptionally proud to have had the opportunity to shine a spotlight on their remarkable contributions."
Delucia Daniels
"These awards have given women the flowers they truly deserve, opening the door for every woman, from all walks of life, to be recognised for their contributions to society. What makes it very special for me is that it reflects who we are as The Morning Show team - not only in our beautiful friendship and avid support of one another, but also to see how it's extended to our incredible radio family has been invaluable. Seeing the event come to life has been a dream come true, and we can’t wait to do it again next year!"
INFO ABOUT EACH CATEGORY:
Category 1 - Social Impact Champion Award
This award will give recognition to a woman who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on society through her work, advocacy, humanitarian efforts, creating positive change in her community and beyond. Nominate a woman whose ventures deliver positive social/environmental change as their core mission. A woman who has made a major contribution to community and social life, empowering and uplifting others; having made a positive and meaningful impact in their communities.
Category 2 - Innovation and Technology Pioneer Award
This award will celebrate a woman who has made significant contributions to innovation, technology, or scientific advancement, demonstrating a commitment to pushing boundaries and driving progress in her field. Nominate a woman whose innovations have had a meaningful impact on their industry and community. How have their projects influenced others, changed paradigms, and led to tangible improvements, knowing that the nominee’s project disrupted the status quo and pushed boundaries. This woman has an innovative project that addresses significant challenges and unmet needs, and the nominee has fostered collaboration, empowered others, and promoted inclusivity in the innovation process.
Category 3 - Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award
This award will celebrate a woman who has shown outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and business acumen, making a significant impact in her industry. Nominate a woman in various field like emerging entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, technology entrepreneur, and more. This can be an individual who has demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, innovation, and impact in the field of entrepreneurship, contributing to the growth and development of the business landscape.
Category 4 - Women in Business Award
This award will be presented to a women run business or women in business, who can showcase outstanding achievement and success, from profitability to customer service, strong growth to innovation. Nominate a woman who has shown exceptional business acumen and brilliance, leading her company or enterprise with creativity and innovation. A woman who has empowered others along the way, through creating jobs, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, or championing causes that uplift women in the business world, and who has made a positive impact in her community through her business endeavours.
Category 5 - Community SHERO Award
This award will acknowledge a woman who is making outstanding contributions in her community. A community hero demonstrating how passion and determination can use her life to make a difference in her community. Nominate a woman in the community, whose contributions are considered to have had an impact in the community. A woman who demonstrates an exemplary level of leadership and community engagement to positively impact the quality of life of people. A woman with formal and informal roles, including appointed, elected, or volunteer positions within a community.
Category 6 - Visionary Leader Award
This award will give recognition to a woman who has demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, and innovation in her industry, inspiring others to follow her lead. Nominate a woman who leads, innovates, and inspires other with her leadership.
Category 7 - Empowerment Advocate Award
This award will recognize a woman who has dedicated herself to empowering and uplifting others, advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in her industry, and will acknowledge the significant contributions to empowering and advocating for women. Nominate a woman who made efforts to promote women’s leadership, education, economic independence, and social justice.
Category 8 - Excellence in Arts Award
This award will honour a woman who has demonstrated exceptional creativity, artistic talent, and cultural impact in the arts and entertainment industry. Nominate a woman who has an artistic discipline whether it’s visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, film, or any other form of artistic expression. A woman whose artistic discipline has inspired, challenged, and contributed to the cultural landscape and resonated with audiences or had a broader societal impact.
Category 9 - Trail Blazer of the Year Award
This award will honour a woman who has fearlessly forged new paths and shattered glass ceilings in her industry, leading the way for others to follow. Nominate a woman who has made a mark in a predominantly male dominated industry.
Category 10 - Young Achiever Award
This award will go to a young woman or teen who has shown outstanding talent in any field, ranging from innovation, sports, acting, music, and meritorious acts of bravery against all odds. Nominate a young woman who has an outstanding ability in any field, has an outstanding career achievement, shows innovation and has an inspiring story.
Category 11 - Sport Achievement Award
This award will recognize a woman who has achieved excellence in sports and serves as an inspiration to others. Nominate a woman in any sporting field with an outstanding achievement and performance in her respective sport, including notable victories, records, rankings, or exceptional skill and athleticism.
Category 12 - Lifetime Achievement Award
This award will honour a woman with a long-standing and influential career, recognizing her sustained impact and contributions. Nominate a woman who has longevity and Impact; a woman who has sustained, and made significant contributions to her field or industry over the course of her career. Bearing in mind her body of work, accomplishments, and the enduring impact of her contributions.
INFO ABOUT EACH WINNER:
Social Impact Champion
Lucinda Evans
Lucinda Evans is a KhoiSan woman, feminist activist, and human rights defender. Lucinda has been committed to social justice and the protection of women and children and the elderly since her youth. In 2008, she started her NGO Philisa Abafazi Bethu (PAB). Over the years, PAB has rapidly grown into a Women and Family Center, where Lucinda offers multiple programmes for survivors of abuse, protecting children, and protecting the LGTBQIA community. She also speaks out on safety issues including community safety. Beyond her work at PAB, she is also the coordinator for One Billion Rising South Africa.
Innovation and Technology Pioneer
Dr Natasha Ross
Dr. Natasha Ross is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape, where she’s leading innovations in eco-friendly energy conversion, sustainable storage systems, and nanosensor technology. At just 26, she became the first in her family to earn a PhD in 2013. Dr. Ross is driven by her belief in chemistry’s power to change the world. Her groundbreaking work in biodegradable batteries is paving the way for a future less reliant on fossil fuels. Beyond the lab, she is a passionate mentor, inspiring the next generation of scientists—particularly women—to push boundaries in green technologies and address global sustainability challenges.
Excellence in Entrepreneurship
Merecia Smith
Merecia Smith started in 1998 as a general worker at a wine factory. Thereafter, she was promoted to an assistant wine lab job at Spier wine farm, where she worked her way up to a Supervisor. In 2018, Spier appointed her as their Wine Lab Manager. In 2019m Merecia started her own Wine Lab business (Wine Analytical Services) which is also part of the enterprise development at Spier. In 2023, her wine lab achieved 3rd place at the SAWLA competition which makes them the 3rd best winery currently in South Africa.
Women in Business
Dr Shirley Zinn
Dr. Shirley Zinn is a prominent human resources leader, previously being the Group Head at Woolworths Holdings and HR Head at Standard Bank and Nedbank. She has served as a professor at the University of Pretoria and the University of Cape Town. Currently, she is an independent director on several JSE-listed boards, including Sanlam and MTN-SA, and chairs the V&A Waterfront and WESGRO. In 2015, she published her bestselling autobiography, *Swimming Upstream*. Dr. Zinn holds multiple degrees, including an Ed.D. from Harvard, and has received numerous awards, including the Inspirational Leader Award for 2024. She is a mentor to young women and an accomplished marathon runner.
Community SHERO
Janine Fabe
Janine Fabe worked in corporate for 20 years and is now living her passion by working and caring for babies who are in need of care and protection under her NPO, Hannahs place of Safety. Her aim is that the babies are restored and healed before they move onto their next phase, which is either reunification to biological family or foster care or adoption (should that option be available for the baby). The NPO ensures that the babies have proper Medical care, occupational therapy and water therapy. Holistic care is very important for Janine and her team, and they care for each one of them as if they were their own.
Visionary Leader
Zeenat Isaacs
Zeenat is a multidisciplinary artist, community transformer, who runs free accredited education and skills, arts training to those in need. She is a project and production manager, delivering masterclasses across various art form. Through her organisation, Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art she assists those from under resourced, marginalized areas to study abroad and get first time work experience. She runs many after-school programmes, various upliftment campaigns as well as empowerment sessions and workshops in many informal settlements and impoverished communities in Cape Town. Zeenat teaches the unemployed how to set up and run businesses to generate income. She also plays a vital role in making sure that primary needs of the less advantage are provided for.
Empowerment Advocate
Naz Fredericks- Maharaj
Naz Fredericks- Maharaj is passionate about empowering and driving transformative change for women. She is the Portfolio Director of WomenIN (WiN), creating platforms where women can grow and connect holistically, developing both hard and soft skills. WiN, unites women, fostering collaboration, leadership, and lasting change across all sectors.
Excellence in Arts
Kiara Ramklass
Kiara Ramklass started Marimba Jam while she was in Grade 11. Marimba Jam initially started as an outreach holiday program which has since grown under the leadership of Kiara to be recognised as the Number one Youth-Owned Business in the Western Cape (WCERA 2019). In 2012, Kiara was short-listed and went on to win the Amy Biehl Spirit of Youth Award. She was also recognized as one of News24’s ‘100 Young Mandelas of the Future’ as well as a Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African.
Trailblazer of the Year
Mishquah Achmat
Mishquah has a BCom in Information Systems, Honours graduate, with a passion for operational excellence. Throughout her career, she has been involved in all aspects of operations, leading cross-functional teams and streamlining business processes to ensure seamless delivery. She is the head of operations (COO) at Bilionetworks, a firm believer in empowering others to reach their full potential while continuously pushing the boundaries of operational excellence
Young Achiever
Brittany Smith
Brittany Smith’s debut solo singing role was as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro in 2016, followed by Adele in AGL Opera's production of Die Fledermaus. Brittany has also recently worked alongside theater dame Sandra Prinsloo in the famous Terrence McNally play, and David Kramer to name a few. In 2022, she was also awarded the Mail & Guardian 200 Young Influential People for her role in the classical arts industry. Brittany has recently been working on The Sound of Music.
Sport Achievement
Elvina 'Vee' da Silva
Elvina is a passionate advocate for change, dedicated to transforming the lives of students through dance. As the only qualified Olympic female break dancing judge on the continent, she proudly represents her country on the global stage. Since 2008, Vee has immersed herself in the roots of Hip Hop, learning from its originators both locally as well as in New York.
Lifetime Achievement
Janine Myburgh
Janine is actively involved in various organizations. She has served on numerous non-profit organizations, boards and has been dedicated to the advancement of underprivileged individuals. Amongst many, Janine’s awards include the Woman of Wonder (WOW) award SA, the International Visionary Women of Wonder award in Dubai, Mauritius, Qatar and the United Kingdom andThe COVID-19 Legal Eagle award. She has been recognized by the WOZA awards for her leadership and mentorship role. Janine was awarded Honorary United Nations status for her role in society. Janine has also been recognized by the Panache Publication as one of the Top 30 Inspiring Global Icons in Mauritius. She is the former President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, making history as the first and only woman, to hold this position in 219 years. Janine has served as the National Chairperson of the Council for Business Women in South Africa. She currently serves on the Chief Justice of SA’s National Efficiency Enhancement Committee.