Open Call: Santam Women of the Future Awards – South Africa

Over the past decade, the Santam Women of the Future Awards has showcased the success, innovation and resilience of South African women who have dared to dream big. In celebration of a remarkable 10 years, they aim to be even more impactful as they continue to celebrate the brilliance of women in business. So, whether you recently started a new business, or you’ve been running your own enterprise for a while, they want to hear from you! They believe women who run their own businesses can change the economy – and the future – of the country.

Winning one of the three Santam Women of the Future Awards is a game-changer: the winners will benefit from cash prize money; mentorship from the judge of their choice; luxury products from Lancôme, the beauty partner; and many other fabulous prizes. On top of that, the winning business owners will get an enormous publicity boost from FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE.

Santam understands that the first 1 001 days of running a business are the hardest. If you’re still in business by day 1 001, they believe you’re in it for the long haul. Santam’s on-going commitment to supporting women in business has given them real insight into the potential pitfalls of any entrepreneurial journey.

Categories

There are 3 categories:

• The Santam Woman of the Future Title
  • Is awarded to an entrepreneur whose business is older than 1 000 days and who is well on her way to establishing an extensive enterprise.
• The Santam Rising Star Title
  • Is awarded to an entrepreneur between 16 and 35 years old who is still within her first 1 000 days but whose business, the judges believe, will flourish way beyond them.
• The Santam Social Entrepreneur Title
  • Is awarded to an NPO/social enterprise or entrepreneur who is making a real difference in her community. Her business/NPO/social enterprise has survived the first 1 000 days.

The prizes awarded to the winners

• R125 000 in cash to the Woman of the Future from Santam
• R75 000 in cash each to the Rising Star and the Social Entrepreneur from Santam
• A luxurious beauty hamper from beauty partner Lancôme, worth R10 000
• A full-page advertisement in FAIRLADY or TRUELOVE to promote your business, social enterprise or NPO
• An invaluable mentorship session with one of the judges
• Business printing worth R5 000 from Lithotech
• A STACKD spinner and Weekender cosmetic case worth R6 498 from Samsonite
• An online masterclass from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) worth R4 000
• Spa vouchers from Camelot Spa worth R5 000
• A hamper from The IV Bar, including a Jetfuel drip worth R7 330
• A Seiko ladies’ dress watch worth R7 000

Eligibility Criteria

• The entrant must be a female resident of South Africa.
• The entrant is to supply her full name, contact details (including email) and date of birth.
• The entrant must upload a recent photograph of herself.
• The entrant must answer the questions relating to her business.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Entrepreneurs who were finalists between 2015 and 2023 and have been previously featured in FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE are eligible for entry.
• If chosen as a finalist, the entrant must make herself available for the awards ceremony that will take place in Johannesburg on Friday, 11 October 2024. Flights will be provided for finalists not residing in Gauteng.
• Staff members of Media24, the sponsors and their immediate family members may not enter.

For more information, visit SANTAM Women of The Future.