MEET THE SANTAM WOMEN OF THE FUTURE 2025

On Friday, 3 October 2025, the 11th annual Santam Women of the Future Awards, in association with FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE magazines, celebrated South Africa’s most inspiring entrepreneurs at an exclusive luncheon at The Venue at the Houghton Hotel, hosted by Khutso Theledi.

The event brought together trailblazing businesswomen and influential leaders all gathered to honour women who are shaping South Africa’s future through innovation, resilience, vision, and leadership.
After a rigorous judging process by a distinguished panel including Professor Thuli Madonsela, Norah Sehunoe, Dawn Nathan-Jones, Boitumelo Ntsoane, Suzy Brokensha, and Mbali Soga, we are proud to announce this year’s exceptional winners:

🏆 SANTAM WOMAN OF THE FUTURE AWARD
Shannon Dougall – SKIN Functional
Shannon launched a results-driven skincare brand after overcoming her own skin challenges through cosmetic science. Today, SKIN functional is recognised for its data-backed formulas, transparency and commitment to customer education. With global expansion firmly on the horizon, SKIN functional is poised to become an international household name.

🏆 SANTAM SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARD & READERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Caroline Peters – Callas Foundation
As a survivor of gender-based violence herself, Caroline has built a feminist organisation that supports survivors navigating the justice system, mentors boys in gender equity and builds food security through a network of community kitchens. Winning these awards is both recognition and fuel for what’s to come.

🏆 SANTAM RISING STAR AWARD
Xolile Mabuza – Tendalo Bags
After surviving a stroke that left her having to relearn everything, Xolile began creating bags from discarded rubber, turning trauma into triumph. Now a national brand that recycles hundreds of tubes a month, Tendalo is building a factory and focusing on sustainable, youth-led design. Xolile is finalising an e-commerce site and developing a premium product line.

🏆 SANTAM ICON AWARD
Dr Dulcy Rakumakoe – 2020 Woman of the Future
Dr Dulcy Rakumakoe of Quadcare is a medical doctor who advocates for affordable healthcare and the LGBTQ+ community.

Congratulations to our winners and every finalist. Our country is in good hands.

Visit santam.co.za or call 0860 444 444.

Santam is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 3416), a licensed non-life insurer and controlling company for its group companies.

There are 3 categories:

The Santam Woman of the Future Title
Awarded to an entrepreneur whose business is older than 1 000 days and who is well on her way to establishing an extensive enterprise.

The Santam Rising Star Title
Awarded to an entrepreneur between 16 and 35 years old who is still within her first 1 000 days but whose business, our judges believe, will flourish way beyond them.

The Santam Social Entrepreneur Title
Awarded to an NPO/social enterprise or entrepreneur who is making a real difference in her community. Her business/NPO/social enterprise has survived the first 1 000 days.

The prizes awarded to the winners

• R125 000 in cash to the Woman of the Future from Santam
• R75 000 in cash each to the Rising Star and the Social Entrepreneur from Santam 
• A full-page advertisement in FAIRLADY or TRUELOVE to promote your business, social enterprise or NPO 
• A digitorial on fairlady.com or truelove.co.za to promote your business, social enterprise or NPO  
• An invaluable mentorship session with one of our judges 
• A Clarins hamper valued at R10,000
• A voucher from Spectacle World worth R7 500
• A Kirsten Goss Orb Cuff worth R5 990, a pair of Citronnade earrings worth R5 490 or a limited edition boa necklace worth R5 990
• Business printing worth R5 000 from Lithotech 
• An online masterclass from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) worth R4 650 
• Spa vouchers from Camelot Spa worth R5 000 
• A hamper from The IV Bar worth R5 000 
• A tote bag, card holder and bag charm from Dyad worth R5 010
• The UnLearners’ flagship workshop, UnLearn & ReLearn: Re-imagining Success in Times of Change worth R75 500