2025 Finalists

Mothathe Sewelo (Winner)
Head: Trade & International Banking Sales
Absa CIB

Christine Odendaal
Head: Strategic Pricing and Product
Hollard Group Risk

Michelle Fillis
Group Specialist: Employee Experience & Lifecycle Solutions
Standard Bank

Nombuso Nyathi 
Senior Product Manager
Nedbank

Paul Ssali
Business Solutions Lead
Rand Merchant Bank

Jermaine Johnson (Winner)
Founder & Director
African Uncle

Bulelani Balabala
Founder & CEO
TEA: Township Entrepreneurs Agency

Darren Meltz
Founder & Events Director
SecretEATS

Dumisani Mahlangu
Founder & CEO
Chepa Afrika

Makungu Valoyi
Founder & CEO
Makungu Valoyi Occupational Therapy Inc.

Koketso Ranaka (Winner)
Specialist: Sustainability
BMW Group South Africa

Nadia Anjapan
Procureme
Fieldbar

Nikita Achadinha
Customer Journey Manager
BMW Group South Africa

Nkululeko Mthembu
Head of Operations
Mondi – Richard’s Bay Mill

Refuwe Makhubo
Specialist: Corporate Communication
SAAB Grintek Defence

Keagile Makgoba (Winner)
Communications – Sub-Saharan Africa
TikTok

Aalia Saib
Research and Insights Lead
Ogilvy Social Lab

Mamello Mofokeng
Senior Client Success Manager
Media North

Precious Zondi
Account Director
Publicis Groupe Africa

Skhumbuzo Tuswa
Creative Partner
Slikouronlife

Istiaan Lubbe (Winner)
Principal Mechanical Engineer
Zutari

Kiara Rampaul
Professional Town & Regional Planner
Zimanga Urban and Rural Design

Masetuka Ntsoereng
Senior Business Development Manager
DLA Piper

Tamlynn Anne Caelers-Avis
Senior Associate
WMN Attorneys Inc

Vivienne Mseka
Associate Manager
Accenture

Bonginkosi Thango (Winner)
Professor
University of Johannesburg

Dimakatso Masiteng
Chief Information Officer
National Youth Development Agency

Kgotatso Khunou
Chief Pilot
South African Police Service

Martha van Straaten
Social Worker
Giving Hope Johanna/ Die Pikkewyntjie

Walter Matli
Associate Professor in Digital Transformation
University of South Africa

Mamusa Mabodi (Winner)
Acting General Manager: Energy Projects Division
CEF Group

Brenda Matsi
SHEQS Manager
Eskom

John Phala
Area Manager: Control and Instrumentation
NATREF

Nomawethu Ndondo
Planning and Performance Management Analyst
BP Southern Africa

Pitso Sekhoto
Middle Manager
NTCSA – National Transmission Company South Africa

Stuart Blackbeard (Winner)
IT Delivery Manager
BMW Group South Africa

Deon Wolmarans
VP of Engineering
SMCS

Kaylin Phillips
Senior Product Manager
Netstar

Lubabalo Tybosch
Managing Director
Uniqova

Mpho Zim
Senior Manager: Revenue Management
MTN

Sandisiwe Thisani (Winner)
Manufacturing Manager
Tiger Brands

Katlego Mosenogi
People Director: Culinary
Tiger Brands

Laura Somwe
Group Lead: Executive Talent Acquisition
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa

Michael Baxter
IT Change, Comms & PMO Manager
Unilever

Siphathisiwe Sibanda
Operations Management Consultant
McKinsey & Company

Oupa Moagi (Winner)
Head: Health, Safety & Environment
Rio Tinto Richards Bay Minerals

Lungile Malinga-Qangule
Principal: Growth (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Exxaro Resources

Mpho Nyiko Nyarela
Superintendent: Project Procurement
Palabora Mining Company

Tiaan Nkuna
Manager: Mining MPD & MPE
Rio Tinto Richards Bay Minerals

Xoliswa Mphakati
Production Manager
Glencore

Thobile Sukazi (Winner)
Strategic Project Manager
AB InBev

Derek Kleynhans
Operations and Marketing Manager
Seven Sisters Vineyards

Mbulelo Mashilo
Brand Manager
JDE Peets

Promise Kwena Mantome
Human Resources Development Manager
SPAR Group

Yamkela Koti
Group Reporting Manager
Spur Corporation

Kutloano Modise (Winner)
Senior HSSE Manager
DP World

Amanda Shivamba
Director: Data Privacy and Compliance Programs – Sub Saharan Africa
DHL Express

Jason Mann
Project Manager
DHL Express

Kgosimang Chotetsi
Senior Manager: Rolling Stock & Electro-Mechanical
Gautrain Management Agency

Tashwell Joseph
Senior Manager: System Capacity and Planning
Gautrain Management Agency