Santam Women of the Future Awards 2025
Meet Our Winners
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The 11th annual Santam Women of the Future Awards, in association with FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE magazines, took place on Friday, 3 October at an exclusive luncheon hosted at The Venue at the Houghton Hotel, and emceed by Khutso Theledi.
The judges presiding over the awards this year were Professor Thuli Madonsela (Director of the Centre for Social Justice in the Faculty of Law and a professor of law occupying the Law Trust Research Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University), Norah Sehunoe (Santam Acting Chief Operation Officer),Dawn Nathan-Jones (business leader, social entrepreneur and CEO of Over the Rainbow), Boitumelo Ntsoane (Managing Director of On Point Healthcare and 2015 Woman of the Future), Suzy Brokensha (FAIRLADY Editor-in-Chief) and Mbali Soga (TRUELOVE Editor-in-Chief).
We are proud to announce the winners:
WOMAN OF THE FUTURE AWARD
Shannon Dougall of 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.
‘Winning the Santam Woman of the Future Award highlights that anything is possible with hard work and determination,’ Shannon says. ‘It gives me a voice and a platform to inspire women to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams and stop at nothing until those dreams are fulfilled.’
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR and READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
Caroline Peters of the 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.
‘It’s an extraordinary affirmation – for me, but also for the women, boys and communities I serve,’ Caroline says. ‘It brings visibility to grassroots feminist leadership and highlights the power of community-led models in addressing South Africa’s most urgent social issues.’
RISING STAR AWARD
Xolile Mabuza of Tendalo Trading
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.
‘Winning is the best mirror for that celebration – but, more than that, it solidifies my foundation for growth, giving other young women something to look at, stand on and use to believe in their own dreams,’ she says.
SANTAM ICON AWARD
Dr Dulcy Rakumakoe of Quadcare healthcare services
For the first time in the history of the awards, we handed out an additional honour – the Santam Icon Award, which recognises a previous Women of the Future Award winner, someone whose influence extends beyond her own business, touching communities and breaking barriers. This year, we were delighted to award 2020 Santam Woman of the Future, Dr Dulcy Rakumakoe of Quadcare, a medical doctor who advocates for affordable healthcare and the LGBTQ+ community.
Guests included businesswomen and media personalities such as Nonkululeko Gobodo, Catherine Constantinides, Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, Judi Nwokedi, Sonia Booth, former Miss South Africas Ndavi Nokeri and Tatum Keshwar, and fashion entrepreneur and writer Craig Jacobs.
The three Women of the Future winners won their share of over R1m worth of prizes. A Special thanks to: Santam, Clarins, Soectacle World, Kirsten Goss, Lithotech, Dyad, GIBS, Camelot Spa, The IV Bar, The UnLearners, Over the Rainbow and La Motte Wines.
