Now in its fifth year in South Africa, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award celebrates women transforming industries through fearless leadership, innovation and lasting impact. Inspired by the legacy of Madame Clicquot, who took over the House at just 27 and redefined the champagne industry, the award honours leaders who challenge convention and build businesses shaping the future.
The programme recognises established entrepreneurs through the Bold Woman Award and rising leaders through the Bold Future Award. This year’s finalists span manufacturing, beauty, sustainability, mobility, agri-tech and education, reflecting the breadth and ambition of African entrepreneurship.
Bold Woman Award Finalists
Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa – Founder & CEO, Lindiwe Sanitary Pads
Founder of Africa’s first industrial-scale sanitary pad factory owned and operated entirely by women, Lindiwe has built a business combining manufacturing excellence with economic empowerment. Today, her company supplies South Africa’s National Sanitary Dignity Programme while creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the continent.
Sonto Pooe – Founder & CEO, Nativechild
What began as a single product mixed in her kitchen has grown into one of South Africa’s leading Black-owned natural hair and body care brands. Stocked by major retailers and expanding internationally, Nativechild continues championing authentic African beauty.
Xolile Mabuza – Founder & CEO, Tendalo Trading
Following a stroke in her early twenties, Xolile transformed discarded rubber tubes into premium fashion accessories. Tendalo Trading now diverts approximately 1.2 million rubber tubes from landfill every month while proving sustainability and luxury can coexist.
Bold Future Award Finalists
Maambele Khosa – Founder & CEO, SheCab
Founded in response to rising concerns around women’s safety, SheCab is a women-led transport platform connecting female passengers with professional female drivers while creating meaningful employment opportunities.
Pretty Kubyane – Co-Founder & Tech Lead, eFama App
Pretty is using AI and digital infrastructure to modernise agricultural supply chains through eFama, a platform connecting thousands of farmers with buyers. Her work is helping reshape the future of African agriculture.
Tshaamano Mabuba – Founder & CTO, Buddy Learning
At just 22, Tshaamano has built Buddy Learning into an AI-powered education platform supporting over 10,000 families. Through WhatsApp, BuddyAI delivers multilingual, accessible tutoring for low-data environments across Southern Africa.
The winners will be announced on 15 July, joining the global Bold by Veuve Clicquot network, which has celebrated women redefining leadership for more than 50 years. This year’s finalists demonstrate that boldness can transform industries, create opportunity and inspire lasting change for future generations.
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