WomenIN Festival 2025: celebrating empowerment and leadership

The WomenIN Festival 2025 wrapped up a powerful two-day celebration at Newlands Cricket Ground recently, fostered by the theme “Limitless: No Labels. No Limits. No Apologies.” This groundbreaking event attracted hundreds of women from across South Africa, uniting them in a dynamic programme focused on empowerment, leadership development, well-being, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, creativity, and social impact.

Under the vibrant guidance of acclaimed Radio & TV Presenter Leigh-Anne Williams, who served as the MC, the festival created a lively atmosphere brimming with energy and unity. With her dynamic delivery and warm connection with attendees, Williams anchored the festival’s flow, ensuring that the two-day experience was both impactful and memorable.

The programme was carefully curated to include panel discussions, interactive dialogues, wellness conversations, and financial literacy masterclasses, each themed around identity, leadership, resilience, innovation, and holistic well-being. With the event strategically timed during South Africa’s national Entrepreneurship Month, it placed a strong emphasis on business and economic empowerment, equipping women with practical tools for launching and scaling businesses, understanding financial behaviours, and navigating the often-challenging entrepreneurial landscape.

Nicole Sykes, Head of Women in Business at a well-known bank, highlighted the festival’s transformative impact.

“WomenIN brings together courage, collaboration and practical tools in a way that genuinely empowers women. The women who attended left with financial knowledge, business skills, emotional resilience, and personal safety strategies that will continue to uplift them long after these two days.”

One of the highlights was the session led by Raksha Naidoo, Chair of Women in Mining South Africa, who discussed the need for structural changes and decisive leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries. Her insights illuminated the paths through which women can exert real influence across sectors.

Thando Hopa, a cultural leader and lawyer, enriched the festival further by exploring representation and identity amidst her roles as a fashion model and UN Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion. She stressed the necessity of understanding how culture, policy, and media shape societal perceptions of women.

As part of the festival, the women in sport panel showcased Babalwa Latsha, highlighting the emergence of women’s rugby and the tenacity of female athletes challenging cultural perceptions. Latsha spoke candidly about investment gaps and the significance of paving pathways for young women to pursue sport as a respected career.

Wellness was another critical theme, with Dr. Kate Klaasen and Dr. Simone Silver addressing burnout in their Wellness Resolution session. They advocated for an integrated approach encompassing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being, aiming to arm women with tools for holistic health.

Additionally, the festival featured a vital gender-based violence session titled “Breaking the Silence, Rebuilding Lives.” Moderated by GBV Advocate Merlize Jogiat, this discussion aimed to amplify survivor voices and advocate for systemic change, providing attendees with paths toward healing and safety.

The festival also showcased an engaging marketplace filled with women-owned brands, offering an array of products from beauty and wellness to homeware and food. This lively space allowed entrepreneurs to share their stories while connecting directly with customers, enhancing WomenIN’s commitment to uplifting women economically.

The festival concluded with a session from Fight Back SA, providing practical awareness tools aligned with a broader mission to empower women across various dimensions. Nazlee Fredericks-Maharaj, the Festival Founder and Founding Portfolio Director of WomenIN, encapsulated the essence of the gathering by stating, “This year reminded us of the power that unfolds when women gather with purpose and without apology. In 2026, it’s coming back louder, bolder and more unapologetic than ever.”

The event concluded with the prestigious 2025 Good Hope FM Warrior Women Awards, which honoured women whose leadership and impact continue to influence industries, communities, and national narratives.

WomenIN (WiN) is a vital women’s empowerment initiative within the VUKA Group, dedicated to inspiring and uplifting women across sectors through connection, collaboration, and capacity-building. Events like the WomenIN Festival demonstrate a commitment to fostering lasting impacts for women from all backgrounds.