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Pictures: Tebogo Letsie
The month of August has seen an amazing collection of awards functions aimed at the celebration of women and all that they have and continue to achieve.
Friday afternoon was no exception, when the second annual Women of the Future Awards was hosted by Fairlady magazine, in partnership with Santam.
Issey Miyake and Queenspark were the sponsors of the event, and the bash was held at the glamorous Summer Place in Sandton, Jozi.
Synonymous with splendour, the venue did not disappoint. A scrumptious three-course luncheon was served to the 100 guests who, as the glistening chandeliers reflected the rays of late winter sunshine, were serenaded by the soothing sounds of an accomplished saxophonist.
Among the finalists and guests were some of the country’s most formidable women, including outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who also served on the panel of judges for the awards. Accompanying her on the panel was emcee, businesswoman and Top Billing presenter Jo-Ann Strauss, Morning Live’s Leanne Manas, Fairlady editor Suzy Brokensha and Santam director Yegs Ramiah.
Other familiar faces at the event included comedian Tumi Morake, fashion designer Craig Jacobs, and model and entrepreneur Shashi Naidoo.
Even though the event was graced by celebrities from across the nation and was a glamorous affair, it held a much deeper meaning, focusing on the accomplishments of ordinary women who had ventured out to start their own businesses and build them into booming enterprises.
“I am here in the spirit of entrepreneurship,” Strauss told the audience, as she praised the women who were nominated for the awards. The finalists were eventually narrowed down in both the Rising Star and the Woman of the Future categories.
In order to be short-listed, recipients had to have businesses which had been operating for fewer than three years and the judges felt would have the potential to prosper. Sarah Collins of Wonderbags walked away with the Woman of the Future award. Her business’ purpose is to “restore the dignity of women across the globe” by allowing women to feed their families by making use of a non-electric thermal cooker.
As she accepted her award, she told the audience that it was “really for women all over the world”.
An incredulous Moyin Oloruntoba of The A1 scooped the Rising Star award for her online channel, which provides inspirational video
content focusing on celebrity interviews and event coverage.
The event was a celebration of all that women achieve and their allure. It was certainly about both brains and beauty.
