The Sebenza Women Awards, a yearly event focused on commemorating and empowering women will once again be launching this August for the third time in a row.

May is recognized as Africa Month and to honor African Women, Sebenza Awards have opened nominee application lines, introducing three new categories: Women in Fashion, Leading Women and a Covid Shero, aiming to reach and empower even more women.

The Sebenza Awards which first launched in August 2019 have picked up traction and became popular in KwaZulu Natal. “This year marks our third anniversary and we are coming on stronger, bigger and better”, says Kini Shandu, the founder.

Women in South Africa have been side-lined, marginalized, and still face gender-based violence daily. To fight this challenge, the awards brings about equality by identifying stars doing exceptional, extra ordinary work in various sectors to better South African societies. We shine the spotlight on women, their contributions, and position them in areas that create opportunities for them to excel even more.

Sanele Mbatha attended the award ceremony for the first time last year. "The event was classy and beautiful. I was inspired by young women like me going against all odds to make it in the business world. I cheer others to attend this year, not only for fun but for exposure, inspiration and networking" Mbatha encourages.

Bright Ngcobo, owner of @brightbeads, a company that sells and hire Imvunulo is one of the women who were recognized last year for the Emerging Entrepreneur Category. “Being part of the Sebenza Women Awards was overwhelming and unexpected, given that my business had just taken off during Covid. The nominations gave me a boost, people trust my business much more than before. I am now recognized as the ‘award winning businesswoman’ and that has strengthened me not to lose hope.

“It is always an honor to be part of any project that seeks to promote and reward women who are doing well in their respective fields’ says Themba Mthembu, an executive of the Sebenza Awards.

The 2020 event was planned during a Covid19 restriction period and that presented many challenges. Securing sponsorship was not easy plus there were no ticket sales to cover costs. However, despite all the challenges, the organizing team still managed to execute the event successfully. We hope that restrictions will be eased so that more people can attend this year.

This year, we are planning a 3-day event:

Friday 6 August 2021:  Sebenza Fashion Show
Sat 7 August 2021:  Women’s Golf Day
Monday 9 August 2021:  Final Awards Ceremony

There will be limited ticket sales for the Fashion Show and the Golf Day will be attended strictly by invite.

We have extended the awards so that more women can participate. Applications are now open and we encourage all women to send their profiles to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before they close.

“Women go through a lot, the best thing we can do is to uplift and show them exactly how much we appreciate and value them. It is within our power to drive positive change to move South Africa forward and therefor at Sebenza Awards, we continue to work hard to create opportunities for women to be involved in all industrial and economic activities,” Shandu concluded.

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For more information Contact:
Kini Shandu
+27 84 952 9265
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Founder of Sebenza Awards