A few weeks ago, I attended the annual Standard Bank Top Women Virtual Conference which showcased phenomenal women doing amazing work in various fields, from commerce, corporates, NGOs, media and entertainment to small businesses and start-ups.

On the 10th of November 2022, the Standard Bank Top Women Awards 2022 took place at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. The awards had over 700 attendees and a combination of over 30 phenomenal women across Africa and organisations advocating for gender equality and women empowerment. The Standard Bank Top Women Awards 2022 is the fastest growing gender-empowered awards platform, with the theme of “Rise Above the Noise“, the programme was aimed at uplifting and celebrating companies and women that continue to do great work in their respective fields.

The awards come after a two-day virtual conference that was filled with insights, panel discussions and fire-side chats, as well as the EmpowHer masterclass of women who were also among the list of women nominated for the awards. Having received thousands of entries, the judges were tasked with a challenging job. Split into two, the Organisation Awards celebrate and recognise the achievements of organisations striving to make the workplace supportive of women, while the Individual Awards recognise the achievements of individuals for the past 18 months of individual female entrepreneurs, executives, employees, as well as men driving gender empowerment.

Topco Media CEO Ralf Fletcher noted: “I am honoured to lead an organisation that prioritises female empowerment and celebrates those working toward the fifth UN Sustainable Development Goal, which is achieving gender equality by 2030. However, it goes without saying that this programme wouldn’t have been an achievement without the support of our partner, Standard Bank and sponsors who are also playing their part in uplifting African women.”

The esteemed list of category winners included:

Top Women Entrepreneur of the year 2022 Sponsored by Standard Bank

Nomazibulo Tshanga – Ziyana Business Consulting & Training

Top Women Young Achiever 2022 Sponsored by Standard Bank

Precious Nala – Afrika Tikkun

Top Women EmpowHER Entrepreneur 2022 Sponsored by Standard Bank

Khayelitsha Cookies (Pty) Ltd

Top Women Business Leader of the year 2022 Sponsored by Standard Bank

Celiwe Ross – Old Mutual

Standard Bank Employee Top Women Award 2022

Rose Kamene Gichuki, Standard Bank, Kenya

Top Women in Public Sector Lifetime Achiever 2022 Sponsored by Standard Bank

Grace Naledi Pandor, Minister in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation

Top Women in Business Lifetime Achiever 2022 Sponsored by Standard Bank

Gloria Tomatoe Serobe, Founding Member and Executive Director of WIPHOLD and Chief Executive Officer of Wipcapital.

Top Women Leader in STEM 2022

Seline van der Wat – hearX SA (Pty) Ltd

Top Women Leader in Property 2022

Idwala Property Group – Nondumiso Mthwa

Top Women Leader in Professional & Support Services 2022

BDO South Africa – Thuto Masasa

Top Male Leader Driving Gender Empowerment 2022 Sponsored by MSC Cruises

Abdul Majeed Dawood – Caltex Gateway

Top Women Business in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2022 Sponsored by Kia South Africa

ICAS

Top Women Owned Business SMME 2022 Sponsored by Uber

Ziyana Business Consulting and Training

Top Women Business of the Year 2022

Nestlé

Top Women Business in Skills Development 2022 Sponsored by Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

WeThinkCode_

Top Women Business in Resources, Construction & Infrastructure Development 2022 Sponsored by Harmony Gold

Quantum Leap Investments

Top Women Business in Corporate Citizenship 2022 Sponsored by Organon

Takealot Group

Top Women Business in Health & Pharmaceuticals 2022

Clicks Group Ltd

Top Women Business in Youth Development 2022

Nestlé

Top Women Business in Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Management 2022 Sponsored by SANBI

Nsovo

Top Women Business in Retail & E-Commerce 2022

Trade Intelligence

Top Women In Sport 2022 Sponsored by Mpumalanga Department of Sport & Recreation (For Team)

Banyana Banyana

Top Women Leader In Sport 2022 Sponsored by Mpumalanga Department of Sport & Recreation (Individual)

Desiree Ellis, Coach, Banyana Banyana

Top Women Media Personality 2022

Bonang Matheba

Top Women Leader in Public Sector 2022

Dr. Nthabiseng Maude Mthethwa – The dtic

Top Women Business in Public Service 2022

FoodBev Seta

Top Women Leader in Transformation 2022 Sponsored by FSTC

Jade Wright-Komal – Unilever

Top Women Business Icons 2022 – An Honorary Legends of Empowerment and Transformation Award

WINNERS:

●        Webber Wentzel

●        Deloitte

●        Fasset

●        University of Mpumalanga

●        Johnson & Johnson

●        Accenture

Background to Top Women:

Since 2003, Top Women has been South Africa’s leading gender empowerment brand; celebrating visionary organisations that prioritise gender empowerment as integral to their strategy for growth and success. The brand, along with its valued partners, is dedicated to showcasing these organisations as leaders by example to be emulated across the economy – in a country where less than 50% of the population are men. Our well-established platform – comprising publication, digital, awards and conference – drives awareness locally and internationally around the value and impact of women in leadership.

Over 13 000 delegates registered for the conference, and those in attendance included the Former Executive Director, UN Women and Former Deputy President, South Africa – Current Chancellor for the University of Johannesburg, 2021 Top Women Lifetime Achievement Awards Winner, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Miss SA and Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, and General Manager, UberEats Kenya, Kui Wangui. Mlambo delivered a keynote speech which was moderated by Leanne Manas, South African Award-winning Journalist and TV Presenter. The panels consisted of Jeanette Englund, Group Executive for Risk and Sustainability, Aspen Pharmacare, Lauren Rota, Vice President: Group Environmental, Social & Governance, Imperial, Jabulile Kubheka, Africa Talent Leader, EY, Malcolm Larsen, Company Secretary, Business Engage Association NPC, and Naledzani Mosomane, Head: Enterprise Development, Standard Bank.