I am deeply humbled and thrilled to share that I have been named one of four winners in the Arts, Film & Media category of the 2025 Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards. This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of everyone who has supported and believed in the vision of inclusive storytelling.
From being shortlisted to becoming a finalist, and now a winner, this journey has been both challenging and rewarding. It underscores the importance of perseverance, passion, and the unwavering belief in one’s mission.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the awards function on Thursday, as I was in the midst of filming my short film that week. While I couldn’t be there in person, my gratitude and excitement are boundless.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Mail & Guardian for this esteemed recognition, and to my nominators and supporters for their trust and encouragement. This award fuels my commitment to continue advocating for authentic representation and to create spaces where every voice is heard and valued.
Thank you for joining me on this remarkable journey. Here’s to more stories, more voices, and more change.
*
Read my profile here.
*
This week, the Mail & Guardian includes a special supplement featuring all the winners of the Power of Women Awards. You can purchase a copy of the newspaper to read more about the remarkable women who were recognized, including my bio, and learn about the journeys and achievements of the other winners in the Arts, Film & Media category.
The power is in the right hands
FOREWORD FROM THE EDITOR
You are holding in your hands one of the most exciting projects the Mail & Guardian is proud to produce each year. This project, driven by our editorial team, has been running for almost two decades now. And each year, the quantity of entries and the quality of nominees has far exceeded our expectations. From over 1200 entries, it was an arduous task to whittle the entries down to the finalists you see here.
The M&G Power Of Women is a special moment for us to reflect, recognise and celebrate the phenomenal women in our country, who are doing amazing work in every sector they occupy.
In many ways, this project serves as a reminder to us all of the power South African women wield in each and every space they occupy- and against all odds- as they emulate those that came before them, and inspire those that will come after them.
From the struggle days to the freedom days, this country has never been short of phenomenal women. From Charlotte Maxeke, Lilian Ngoyi, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Ruth First, Albertina Sisulu, Miriam Makeba, Helen Suzman, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Dr Naledi Pandor, Wendy Ackerman, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Gill Marcus, Wendy Luhabe, Helen Zille, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Ferial Haffajee, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabebengwa, to young lions such as Pumeza Matshikiza, Nozipho Tshabalala, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Simpiwe Dana, Caster Semenya and the late Tshidi Madia, their names inspire generations.
Our country has been blessed with distinguished women who have all been torch bearers in their fields and in communities. This space here is not enough to profile all of them, but we hope that this project is a major step in appreciating them and celebrating their achievements.
This year we have a record 12 categories spread across key sectors of the economy, from agriculture, the arts, banking and finance, health, education, mining to justice, politics and government. There are gems in every category, top women doing unbelievably great transformative work that keeps South Africa working despite the plethora of challenges the country faces. In their own way, and collectively, they are leading the charge towards economic prosperity and unapologetically pushing the agenda towards gender equality.
The finalists featured in this edition are a reflection of the quality of leadership we have in our country, ambitious, tenacious and driven by their desire to make South Africa a better place for all its citizens.
This is a clear sign, to us, that our country is endowed with quality women leaders who have the power to uplift communities, lead society and inspire generations.
These are women our editorial panel found to be assertive and setting the pace for leadership, excelling in mentorship and ensuring diversity and transformation in the workplace and in communities where they work.
To our sponsors, a heartfelt thank you for doing this with us. Your incredible support in honouring and celebrating these amazing women has seen this project grow and get better each year.
To all the nominees we couldn.t include in these top 100, please be assured that your work is recognised and that we are proud of you. Your turn shall come.
To the finalists, I wish to thank you all, on behalf of my editorial team and the panel that makes this possible each year. Without you, this project wouldn.t be possible.
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Japhet Ncube
*
View the photos from the event here.
