2026 NOMINEES

Celebrating Young Leaders

2026 NOMINEES

Participating in the Forty under 40 Awards is one of the fastest routes to wide recognition of your achievements. Finalists and winners will benefit from extensive media coverage; wide exposure in the investment community; and enhanced peer recognition.

Agriculture & Agro Processing

  1. Bokang Lehloenya (WA RONA FOOD ENTERPRISE PTY LTD)
  2. Dolce Motsepe (Brothers Farm Livestock And Crops)
  3. Kamohelo Bombe (Kamohelo Group)
  4. Mpelegeng Audrey (Lelo) Magoro (Lelos Tasty Foods)
  5. Welile Bridgete Gumede (Azowel Projects)

Authorship and Creative Writing

  1. Antonio Uqueio (TONIQUEREE)
  2. Bokamoso Edward Nkunyane
  3. Ntando Phindile Zamashandu Mbatha (NPZ Mbatha)

Banking and finance

  1. Nontokozo Setiba (Standard Bank Group)
  2. Nthabiseng Mary Nhlanhla Mamabolo (PayInc)
  3. Ofentse Tabane (Randcorp Investments)
  4. Vuyo Jacob (BCX)

Beauty and Lifestyle

  1. Anathi Boskati (NakaiBeauty)
  2. Kelotilwe Legwabe (The Sethakga Group(Sethakga Cleaning Company))
  3. Raeesa Dawood (Raeesa international hair)
  4. Refilwe Sambo (Harvest Hair)
  5. Thabang Chiloane (iTekkie)
  6.  

Community Development

  1. Avhasei Messie Raphalalani (Stopthespot Youth Organisation)
  2. Kgomotso Mphela (Kgomotso children centre)
  3. Lindokuhle Dlamini (BusaIzwe Foundation)
  4. Tinyiko Miracle Mabale (IMentorU Foundation NPC)
  5.  

Consultancy

  1. Debbie Mdlongwa (University of Pretoria)
  2. Isaac Mamorobela (Gate Invescap)
  3. Kefilwe Morobane (Giving Wings)
  4. Ntombizone Feni (21st Century)
  5. Reabetswe Mathibe (MRT MARKETING)
  6. Sibongile “Bongi” Kgeresi (Uhoeroe Group Holdings)
  7. Stabile Lunga (GEMEQUITY™)
  8. Tina Mujera (Empower’U’ Children’s Life Coaching Academy)

Education

  1. Allicia Laetitia Gözübüyükoğlu (T.A English Cape Town)
  2. Craig Strauss (Greenside High School)
  3. Laila Abramjee (Contentment_Jhb)
  4. Marco Claassens (Miner Construction)
  5. Matlhomola Innocent Moapola (Chokwe Primary School)
  6. Muhammad Ameen Khan (Saxonwold Primary School)
  7. Rashaad Sambaba (Adult Education Institute)

Energy/Oil and Gas

  1. Botlhale Mokone (FortunIQ Fuels)
  2. Mangalani Agreepa Neduvhuledza (ETHEREAL RENEWABLES)
  3. Tebogo Seloane (Aruba Oil)

Environmental & Climate Sustainability

  1. Kabelo Albina Sebiloane (Leano La Sechaba Waste Management and Consultancy)
  2. Kothasana Keitumetse Mata (Boikanyo Lesedi Environmental Waste Management)
  3. Siya Ntsumpa (Giving Them Wings Foundation NPC)

Event Management & Planning

  1. Avishek Busviah (Business Summit)
  2. Bongani Masela (House of 30)

Family business

  1. Dr Michelle von Stein (CoralBloom® Studio)
  2. Unathi Saul (Abaveleli Funeral Directors)

Fashion

  1. Ahmed Dajee (MAISON DAJEE)
  2. Hlologelo Modiane (Hlolo Collection)
  3. Lindani Ndwandwa (Lindani Styling)
  4. Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana (Thabo Makhetha)

Food, Catering & Beverage

  1. Chantelle Slabbert (Chef ChanBert)
  2. Charlotte Mankge (Afro Patissièr Bakery Pty Ltd)
  3. Jonathan Michael (Good Omens (PTY) LTD)
  4. Lebo & Tebo Ndala (WithLoveFromTheTwins)
  5. Neo Mothupi (K DIVNE PROJECTS)

Governance and Government Agencies

  1. Nozipho Booi (Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism)
  2. Plantina Tsholofelo Mokone (Department of Communication and Digital Technologies)

Health

  1. Alexander Faizi Abedian-Rawháni (Smile Worldwide Pty Ltd)
  2. Bokang Jackson Morure (The MEND Foundation/TBHIV CARE)
  3. Molatelo Sefoloshi (Molatelo Social Services (Pty) Ltd trading as Molatelo Wellness)
  4. Naadiyah Sterianos (Dr Naadiyah Sterianos Inc)
  5. Nikita Sahadew (Podmed Podiatry)
  6. Thandeka Ngcongo (Orchid medical)

Hospitality

  1. Aretha Manasoe (Incognito Spa and Events Pty Ltd)
  2. Priscilla Manganyi (Shibar boutique and spa)
  3. Sasha Leigh Small (House of Grace Hospitality)

Human Resource and development

  1. Fuziswa Moyo (Quantanite South Africa (Pty) Ltd)
  2. Marizaan Bredenkamp (Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company)
  3. Nobandla Gobodo (Sange SA)
  4. Rene Schreuder (Flink)

Insurance

  1. Masefako Masenamela (Phuti Funeral Ministry Group)

Journalism (Radio, TV, & Newspaper)

  1. Glad Zitha (Majestic Media Collective)
  2. Razeen Gutta (Scrolla Africa/Tag Cash & Carry)
  3. Shandor Potgieter (OFM)

LAW

  1. Cartier Lebatie (Supreme Queen Global Earth Africa)
  2. Farica Ewing (Farica De Bruyn Incorporated)
  3. Jadon Wolmarans (Wolmarans & Susan Inc)
  4. Neo Caroline Maroga (NEO MAROGA ATTORNEYS INCORPORATED)
  5. Refuwe Thubela (Thubela and Khumalo Attorneys Incorporated)

LOGISTICS AND SUPPLIES

  1. Mabala Kwakwa (Chillersonwheels)
  2. Thabo Mthembu (MVE Group)

MANUFACTURING

  1. Aditi Radhakrishna (Ruby Rose Feminine Hygiene SA (Pty) Ltd)
  2. Amandla Buswana (BUSWANA CREATIONS)
  3. Sejeng Noge (Seated by Jenkie)
  4. Tebello Khanya (Letzwash Laundry Service Pty (Ltd) Trading As Bonolo Scents)

Marketing & Communications

  1. Kirk Maddocks (iNCO Creative)
  2. Neo Moretlwe (Brain Engine)
  3. Rodney Naidoo (Blackbridge Holdings)
  4. Siya Ngcobo (Griot)

MEDIA (DIGITAL AND SOCIAL)

  1. Koketso Masisi (Retroviral)
  2. Mokgadi Murray (Mofenyi) Senyatsi (The BEE Group)
  3. Nick Hamman (Walk Communications (Pty) Ltd)
  4. Nonhlanhla Khumalo (Noni Khumalo)
  5. Rucien Petersen (Spottmedia (Pty) Ltd)
  6. Zintle Ramano (BAAB Media Group)

MINING AND NATURAL RESOURCES

  1. Charlotte Katlego Pfupa (Crystal Constructions Pty Ltd)
  2. Mohube Lebogang Moeng (ROTO NEXUS GROUP)
  3. Ntombikayise Mkabela (Gods1op International (Pty) Ltd)
  4. Onthatile Masire (BetterDayz)
  5. Pearl Sekwape (Got2GrowConsulting)

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

  1. Lamar Bonhomme (Skitz Films)
  2. Paul Nhlapo (CJB Jnr)
  3. Prudence Mkhize 

PHILANTHROPY AND CHARITY

  1. Ntandoyenkosi Phasha (15:27 Foundation)
  2. Ntsikelelo Colossa (We will speak out South Africa)

Professional Services

  1. Avishkar Panday (Accounting 4 Associates (Pty) Ltd, SADL Consulting Services CC, Bravosat 24 (Telkom))
  2. Bavesh Padayachy (Padayachy Advisory)
  3. David Micah Gengan (Ethos Verify (Pty) Ltd)
  4. Krishen Samuel (Equidiverse Synergy)
  5. Kume Luvhani (Vaxowave Pty Ltd)
  6. Lerato Rahlapane (Life Changing Lerato Services)
  7. Ongeziwe Nyenjana (Kuyasa Registered Auditors Incorporated)
  8. Simphiwe Artwell Malaza (Rilascan Accountants and Micro-finance)

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION

  1. Dumile Shongwe (Dragon Pride Realty)
  2. Hannah Rasethe (Peak A Site Pty Ltd)
  3. Senzy Mdluli (SENZYM PROPERTIES)

Science and Research

  1. Mahloro Hope Serepa-Dlamini (University of Johannesburg)
  2. Mpho Primus (University of Johannesburg)
  3. Nomhle Ngwenya (Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Business Forum)

Social enterprise

  1. Thembelihle Zwane (Halo Sim Labs)
  2. Tshaamano Mabuba (Buddy Learning)

Sports

  1. Bongiwe Msomi (Bongi Msomi Legacy Project)
  2. Dumisani Chauke (Dumisani Chauke Netball Foundation)
  3. Mohammed Ziyaad (Mozee) Khan (Racket Rescue)

Technology and Innovation

  1. Atenkosi Ngubevana (South African AI Awards)
  2. Boipelo Malope (BizTech Nexus)
  3. Tinyiko Simbine (GirlCode)
  4. Unathi Pretty Mbengwana (New Innovations Consulting and Projects – NICP)
  5. Zethu Lubisi (Mamlakah Holdings)

Telecom, Mobile & Software Development

  1. Edgar Mahlalela (1150 Tech Solutions)
  2. Kagisho Masae (Matric Live)
  3. Telisha van der Merwe (Flink-Rank)

Theatre and Arts

  1. Jordy Sank (Sanktuary Films)
  2. Lisa Chella (Lisa Chella Fine Art)
  3. Malusi Mthembu (IQS Mel Productions)
  4. Rorisang Motuba (Rorisang Motuba)

TRANSPORT & AUTOMOBILE

  1. Deepesh Thomas (Uber)
  2. Keotshepile Jonathan (Jonoago Group Pty Ltd)

WELLNESS

  1. Candice De Mendonca (The Fitness Hybrid)
  2. Humaira Chenia (Reform Fitness Studio)
  3. Mariam Manack (iTrain)
  4. Phathutshedzo Tshibubudze (The go down herbs)
  5. Thabang Mashigo (Altitude connection PTY LTD)

PURPOSE

To recognize and celebrate 40 emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate or impact the world personally or professionally through their exceptional leadership.

  • To identify projects and individual achievements that have enabled young leaders to be set apart from their competitors, who have produced clear and compelling value, return of investment, and other relevant results.
  • To encourage our youth to excellence and success in various industries early on in life.
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