Santam Women of the Future Awards (South Africa)

For more than a decade, the Santam Women of the Future Awards in association with FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE has been a powerful platform, celebrating the bold, innovative and resilient women shaping South Africa’s business landscape. As they enter their 11th year, they’re more committed than ever to recognising and empowering the women who dare to dream – and make their dreams a reality.

Whether you’ve just launched your business, are making a difference in the community or have been steering your own enterprise for years, this is your moment. They believe that women-led businesses have the power to transform their economy and redefine the future, and they want to celebrate you!

Winning one of the three awards is more than an accolade – it’s a game-changer with cash prizes to fuel your business growth, mentorship from an esteemed judge of your choice, gifts from their prize partners and powerful media exposure from FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE.

Award Categories

• The Santam Woman of the Future Title:
  • 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:
  • Awarded to an entrepreneur between 16 and 35 years old who is still within her first 1 000 days but whose business, their judges believe, will flourish way beyond them.
• The Santam Social Entrepreneur Title:
  • 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.

Funding Information

• 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 full-page advertisement in FAIRLADY or TRUELOVE to promote your business, social enterprise or NPO
• A FAIRLADY or TRUELOVE digitorial to promote your business, social enterprise or NPO
• An invaluable mentorship session with one of their judges
• A Clarins hamper valued at R10,000
• A voucher from Spectacle World worth R7 500
• A Kirsten Goss Orb Cuff worth R5 990, a pair of Citronnade earrings worth R5 490 or a limited edition boa necklace worth R5 990
• Business printing worth R5 000 from Lithotech
• An online masterclass from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) worth R4 650
• Spa vouchers from Camelot Spa worth R5 000
• A hamper from The IV Bar worth R5 000
• A tote bag, card holder and bag charm from Dyad worth R5 010

Eligibility Criteria

• Santam Woman of the Future:
  • The entrant must be a successful entrepreneur whose business has been around for 1000 days or more.
  • 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. She must be the majority shareholder of the business.
  • Entrepreneurs who were finalists between 2015 and 2024 and have been previously featured in FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE are eligible for entry.
• Santam Rising Star:
  • The entrant must be between the ages of 16 and 35 years old.
  • The entrant’s business must be between 6 months and 3 years old.
  • 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. She must be the majority shareholder of the business.
  • Entrepreneurs who were finalists between 2015 and 2024 and have been previously featured in FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE are eligible for entry.
• Santam Social Entrepreneur:
  • The entrant must be a successful NGO, NPO, social enterprise or company whose business has been around for 1000 days or more.
  • 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. She must be the majority shareholder of the business if it is not a NGO, NPO or Social Enterprise.
  • Entrepreneurs who were finalists between 2015 and 2024 and have been previously featured in FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE are eligible for entry.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Staff members of Media24, the sponsors and their immediate family members may not enter.

For more information, visit SANTAM.