Telecoms & Networks News South Africa

15 women selected for 2018 Entrepreneurial Winning Women programme

EY Africa has selected 15 women to take part in the 2018 EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women Southern Africa programme.

The 2018 class consists of women, who were selected for their readiness to grow their businesses and develop or expand their local footprints, into the next high-growth companies.

These women own companies across a wide variety of industry sectors including, recruitment, communications, legal, consumer products as well as financial services and IT.

Azim Omar, growth markets leader for EY Africa, says, “The response has once again indicated the great business women we have in South Africa. We are proud to work alongside these women in expanding and strengthening their enterprises.”

Azim Omar, growth markets leader for EY Africa
Azim Omar, growth markets leader for EY Africa

“Unlike many programmes, which are focused on helping women start a business, EY’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women is focused on supporting women in their growth journey beyond start-up businesses. A critical part of the programme is providing the women with access to successful role models and business-building networks.”

Class of 2018

The women and their businesses are listed in alphabetical order (according to business names):

  • Mmabatho Hlabangane - ANH Investments Holdings
  • Cloe Dennis - Bee Recruitment
  • Yvonne Wakefield - Caveat Legal
  • Phindile Mahlalola - Equitable Proxies Co
  • Tiffany Turkington-Palmer - Flow Communications (Pty) Ltd
  • Thavamoney (Ruby) Moodley - IT Networks
  • Marylou Kneale - Livingfacts
  • Manisha Dass - MFT Executive Advisory Service
  • Phindile Msomi - Olwazini Consulting Service (Pty) Ltd
  • Samantha Skyring - Oryx Dessert Salt (PTY) Ltd
  • Zaida Enver - Pure Grit Project and Exhibitions
  • Phillipa Geard - RecruitMyMom (PTY) Ltd
  • Melisa Evans - Step Ahead Staffing
  • Raksha Mahabeer - Summer Time Creatives CC
  • Mpopi Khupe - Zevoli 351 (Pty) Ltd


The women will join an elite business network of the country’s best high-growth companies and participate in year-round activities designed to:

  • Expand their knowledge with the latest information, research and executive dialogues about business strategies and practices
  • Identify potential partners, strategic alliances, customers and suppliers as well as prospective sources of private capital
  • Provide access to informal, one-to-one guidance and support
  • Strengthen their executive leadership and business skills and identify opportunities to grow through meetings with senior advisors and seasoned entrepreneurs
  • Increase national and regional visibility for themselves and their company among corporate executives, investors and the media

“Our investment in the Entrepreneurial Winning Women programme is a source of great pride for EY, and seeing them grow as founders and business leaders is an inspiration.

The programme has seen over 70 women grow and develop their businesses since its inception in South Africa in 2013. We are looking forward to seeing the strides the class of 2018 will make,” concludes Omar.

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