
Professor Thuli Madonsela
Prof Thuli Madonsela has been on the judging panel since 2015. The former Public Protector of South Africa and full-time commissioner on the South African Law Reform Commission founded the Thuma Foundation for Democracy Leadership and Literacy, and is a member of the African Academy of Sciences.

Nondumiso Mabece
Nondumiso Mabece is a distinguished business and marketing strategist with extensive experience at leading advertising agencies and corporate organisations in South Africa and across the continent. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and is currently pursuing a doctorate, combining academic excellence with real-world expertise.

Dawn Nathan-Jones
Dawn Nathan-Jones joins the panel of judges for the eighth consecutive year. Currently the CEO of Over the Rainbow – a social enterprise dedicated to strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems via training, mentorship and strategic connections – Dawn has built an impressive legacy of leadership. and support one another.

Boitumelo Ntsoane
Joining the judging panel this year is Boitumelo, winner of the 2015 Woman of the Future Award. Boitumelo is a dynamic pharmacist with more than 22 years’ experience in the healthcare sector. Her business, which is 100% black-woman-owned, is committed to providing quality and affordable preventative healthcare services to ordinary South Africans (both the insured and uninsured population) by utilising mobile clinics and strategic collaborations.

Suzy Brokensha
South Africa has seen many changes in the years that Suzy Brokensha has headed up FAIRLADY, one of the country’s most iconic magazine titles. But the one thing that has remained constant throughout, she says, is our belief in ourselves. ‘South Africans believe in our future, and we back ourselves to get there, no matter what obstacles are thrown in our way.’

Mbali Soga
Mbali Soga has expertly navigated her role as editor-in-chief of the iconic women’s magazine TRUELOVE. Following her impactful tenure as head of content at Superbalist, the country’s premier fashion e-tailer, she now also lends her vision and leadership to DRUM, yet another celebrated heritage publication.