Sarah Collins, owner of Wonderbag, was awarded the Fairlady Woman of the Future 2016 title. Collins is the producer of a revolutionary non-electric heat-retention cooker. “My heroines are African women,” she says. “I am exceptionally proud to be African. Our resilience and capacity for innovation is so inspiring.” Collins plans to spend her prize money where it counts, by putting it back into the community where she started, Wonderbag, an informal settlement outside Soweto.
The Fairlady Rising Star 2016 Award winner is Moyin Oloruntoba, owner of The A1. Oloruntoba produces online entertainment content geared towards youth culture, and the recognition and validation offered by the Rising Star award means the world to her. “I’ve put in a lot of work, and having a brand like Fairlady say, ‘This is amazing – keep going,’ is the best thing ever,’ she says. “South Africa needs young entrepreneurs for the economy of this country to do better in the long term, and it means so much to be encouraged.”
These two winners were selected from a shortlist of finalists, by a respected panel of successful business-minded and well-known South African judges, including Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela; Santam director Yegs Ramiah; media entrepreneur and international speaker Jo-Ann Strauss; TV presenter, radio host & MC Leanne Manas and Fairlady editor Suzy Brokensha.
“South Africa is an extraordinary country that produces extremely impressive entrepreneurs – some of the best of whom are women,” says Brokensha. ‘Every year, I am amazed at the ingenuity and smarts of these women. Honouring and encouraging female entrepreneurs is a cause close to the heart of Fairlady and our readers, and it’s a privilege to be part of this process.”
Guests in attendance at the luncheon included: philanthropist and author Sonia Booth; businesswoman & MC, Gerry Elsdon; model and lawyer Jena Dover; fashion designer Craig Jacobs; businesswoman and model, Shashi Naidoo; Comedian & presenter, Tumi Maroke & TV personality, Zuraida Jardine.
Fairlady Woman of the Future winner, Sarah Collins, receives R50 000 in cash, a mentoring session with one of the judges, a R3 000 shopping voucher from Queenspark, a Sony Xperia Z5 and Sony tablet, an online course from GetSmarter worth R12 500, a Bamboo Revolution watch and an Issey Miyake (L’Eau d’Issey) hamper worth R7 880.
Fairlady Rising Star winner, Moyin Oloruntoba, receives R20 000 in cash, a mentoring session with one of the judges, a R3 000 shopping voucher from Queenspark, a Sony Xperia M5 and Sony tablet, an online course from GetSmarter worth R12 500, a Bamboo Revolution watch and an Issey Miyake (L’Eau d’Issey) hamper worth R7 880.
You can read more about the winners and their awe-inspiring businesses in the latest issue of Fairlady magazine, on sale 22 August 2016.