2026 Finalists

Sibongakonke Kheswa (Winner)
Corporate Financier
PSG Capital

Dharmeeth Mohan
Global Sales Manager
TransUnion

Rebone Masemola
Content Strategist & Content Writer
Momentum Corporate MMH Group

Tandiswa Hlomela
Retail Operations Manager
Sanlam Investments

Vuyo Nkadimeng
Senior Full Stack Development Manager
Alpha Pty Ltd

Cheryl-Lynn Freeman (Winner)
Founder & CEO
Mzansi Business Services

Banele Rewo
Founder
We Are Squad

Botlhale Mokone
Founder & Managing Director
FortunIQ Fuels

Eugene Nagel
Founder & CEO
ChilliPix

Savannah Cozzi
Co-Founder & CEO
Socially Gathering

Zandile Monaisa (Winner)
Senior Manager: Finance
Rand Refinery Pty Ltd

Duduzile Mabaso
Government Affairs Professional
Siemens Energy

Refilwe Ramatlhodi Ndhlovu
Communications Professional
Toyota SA

Suwayfa Abdul Karrim
Finance Specialist
BMW Group SA

Kuveshen Naidoo
Executive Manager: Project Management
Saab Grintek Defence

Charmaine Ncube (Winner)
Senior Strategist
Razor PR

Jayed-Leigh Paulse
Senior TV News Reporter
SABC

Sbongiseni Blessing Mkhize
Producer
SABC

Zemvelo Ndlovu
Head of Marketing & Research
Brandscapers Africa

Yasheen Harrielall (Winner)
Director: Strategic Growth & Partnerships
Zutari

Andile Maphumulo
Associate Social Sustainability
Zutari

Nicole Naicker
Talent Acquisition Manager
Minopex

Olga Swanepoel
OE, Learning & Capability Manager
Bowmans

Tamlynn Caelers-Avis
Senior Associate
Lnp Beyond Legal

Shaun Burger-Smal (Winner)
Executive: Actuarial & Data Analytics
Bestmed Medical Scheme

Lebalang Molobele
Head: Skills & People Development
National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers

Lubabalo Saba
Faculty Operations Manager
Nelson Mandela University

Moleboheng Mokhele
Senior Lecturer
University

Thobile Dlamini
Director
University of Cape Town

Stefan Links (Winner)
Research & Protection Manager
Forestry South Africa

JT Moorosi
Senior Project Manager
Emergent Energy

Mbusiswa Nyuswa
Chief Information Officer
Abacus Insurance

Nqobile Gumbi
Senior Advisor Planning & Scheduling (Grid Planning and Development)
National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA)

Olebogeng Rapudi
Automation & Integration Platform Specialist
Sasol

Tracy Mulwela (Winner)
Principal Product & Segment Lead
Vodacom

Elizma Els
Head of Human Capital / Acting COO
Boxfusion

Lize-Mari de Wet
Inland Planning Manager
Vumatel

Malcolm Mpedzisi
Sales Director
Vumatel

Kirsty Varejes
Chief Financial Officer
CYNK Africa

Thabang Modiba (Winner)
Brand Manager, Cadbury Dairy Milk
Mondelez International

Camille Petersen
People Lead, Talent & Enabling Functions
Mondelez International

Nothile Khoza
Plant Manager
Unilever South Africa

Lance Geswind
Regulatory Affairs Manager: IP & Dossier Management
Pharmacare Limited

Riley Somiah
Process Optimisation Engineer
Tiger Brands

Thabang Thlaku (Winner)
Executive Investor Relations & New Business
African Rainbow Minerals

Carlyn Manchest
Principal Technical Assistant to the CEO
Valterra Platinum

Mxolisi Guliwe
Production Manager
Glencore Operations South Africa

Sinethemba Ndende
Business Information Specialist
African Rainbow Minerals

Yashoda Jangooraj
Superintendent Wellness
Assmang Khumani Iron Ore Mine

Valentine Mabaso (Winner)
Director
Taonga Business Group

Dr Lihle Nkomo
Senior Manager Strategy & Enablement
Massmart Walmart

Maxine Marescia
Graphic Designer
Spur Corporation

Stefano Comninos
Head of Demand Planning
Food Lovers Market

Thatohatsi Siyangaphi
Finance Manager (Operations & SC)
Clicks Group

Nandipha Ngcobo (Winner)
Acting Regional Enterprise Development Hub Manager
Transnet

Liebe Spies
Senior Manager: IT Delivery
ZEDA Limited

Michelle Meiburg
Country Director
Ceva Logistics

Noxolo Msiya
SHEQ Specialist: Environment & Sustainability
Vopak

Thandiswa Ndawonde
Strategy Sourcing Analyst
Transnet Port Terminal