A gathering of ‘Fair’ ladies

There is nothing as liberating as sitting in room full of wisdom and potential. This room is even better, if filled with women ready to share and celebrate each others initiatives. FAIRLADY Women of the Future Awards, in partnership with Santam, took place at an exclusive VIP luncheon at Summer Place in Hyde Park on Friday.

It was there that two women received awesome awards that not only illustrate that they are celebrated but further helps them advance their entrepreneurship journeys.

These two inspiring winners were selected from an incredible shortlist of finalists, by a respected panel of successful business-minded and well-known South African judges, including Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela; Santam director Yegs Ramiah; media entrepreneur and international speaker Jo-Ann Strauss; TV presenter, radio host & MC Leanne Manas and FAIRLADY editor Suzy Brokensha.

Sarah Collins, owner of Wonderbag, was awarded the FAIRLADY Woman of the Future 2016 title. Sarah is the producer of a revolutionary non-electric heat-retention cooker. `My heroines are African women,' she says. "I am exceptionally proud to be African. Our resilience and capacity for innovation is so inspiring!"

Sarah plans to spend her prize money where it counts, by putting it back into the community where she started the extraordinarily successful Wonderbag - an informal settlement outside Soweto.

While the FAIRLADY Rising Star 2016 Award winner Moyin Oloruntoba, owner of The A1 was overwhelmed with joy at the announcement of her name. After accepting her award, Joanne Strauss joked that Oloruntoba is probably going to Snapchat to share the news.

Moyin produces online entertainment content geared towards youth culture, and the recognition and validation offered by the Rising Star award means the world to her. 'I've put in a lot of work, and having a brand like FAIRLADY say, "This is amazing - keep going," is the best thing ever,' she says. 'South Africa needs young entrepreneurs for the economy of this country to do better in the long term, and it means so much to be encouraged.'

FAIRLADY Woman of the Future 2016 winner, Sarah Collins, receives R50 000 in cash, a mentoring session with one of the judges, a R3 000 shopping voucher from Queenspark, a Sony Xperia Z5 and Sony tablet, an online course from GetSmarter worth R12 500, a Bamboo Revolution watch and an Issey Miyake (L'Eau d'Issey) hamper worth R7 880.

While FAIRLADY Rising Star 2015 winner, Moyin Oloruntoba, receives R20 000 in cash, a mentoring session with one of the judges, a R3 000 shopping voucher from Queenspark, a Sony Xperia M5 and Sony tablet, an online course from GetSmarter worth R12 500, a Bamboo Revolution watch and an Issey Miyake (L'Eau d'Issey) hamper worth R7 880.

Guests in attendance at the luncheon today included: philanthropist and author Sonia Booth; businesswoman & MC, Gerry Elsdon; model and lawyer Jena Dover; fashion designer Craig Jacobs; businesswoman and model, Shashi Naidoo; Comedian & presenter, Tumi Maroke & TV personality, Zuraida Jardine.

IOL and press release