AWCA Celebrates Trailblazing Woman of Substance

The African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) hosted its Annual Banquet at The Forum, Hyde Park in Johannesburg under the theme “Pioneering Excellence: Passion, Power and Mastery in Motion to honour and recognise South Africa’s most exceptional women and industry leaders, whilst also raising funds to facilitate access to the profession and contribute to AWCA’s mission of accelerating the advancement of Black Female Chartered Accountants.

“The AWCA Woman of Substance honours influential groundbreaking females who have not only geared change in their respective fields, but also for women on the continent in general. This is just one of the many ways we aim to recognise accomplished female leaders; and encourage and inspire young women to believe it is possible,” says AWCA President, Pumla Molope.

The evening kicked off with the Recognition Awards honouring individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields whilst driving positive change in their organisations.  The following phenomenal women were recognised:

• Public Sector CFO - Andile Mbatha
• Private Sector CEO - Jennifer Reddy
• Private Sector CFO - Nqobile Khumalo
• Tax Partner - Anthea Scholtz
• Audit Partner - Gail Moshoeshoe
• Academic trailblazer - Dr Joyce-Mina Wa Kalonji 
• Leading Entrepreneur - Shiluba Mawela

These awards are crucial in building solidarity amongst women and helping to highlight the importance of fostering a sustainable pipeline of professional African Women Chartered Accountants. 

Celebrating a trailblazer - Dr Sharmla Chetty was recognised as the 2025 AWCA Woman of Substance for her significant role in redefining leadership and actively championing the empowerment of women in general, as well as in different sectors of business.

During her acceptance speech, Dr Chetty said “ To be recognised by an organisation that does so much work in uplifting communities and women is a huge achievement. This award is a tribute to the many women that walked before me – especially our grandmothers, mothers, mentees and mentors, whose quiet strength and leadership I stand on today and it reaffirms my commitment to use education as a force for good.”

“Dr Chetty embodies the AWCA’s mission to identify, nurture and lead. Her achievements reflect the broader impact of the AWCA in driving excellence and change within the profession and society at large,” adds Molope.

Previous Woman of Substance recipients include Funeka Montjane, Wendy Luhabe, Futhi Mtoba, Brigalia Bam, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Dr Judy Dlamini, Irene Charnley and the late Dr Thandi Ndlovu. Awardee's and sponsors play a significant role in raising funds for the AWCA Bursary Fund, which provides financial support to female tertiary students who aspire to be chartered accountants (CAs). 

In addition, the bursary fund helps to address the shortage of qualified African women CAs by providing critical funding for postgraduate studies, enabling students to complete training contracts, board exams and achieve the CA(SA) qualification.