We catch up with last year’s winners of the Santam Women of the Future Awards – and invite women entrepreneurs to submit their entries for the 2021 competition
WE CAUGHT UP WITH LAST YEAR’S WINNERS OF THE SANTAM WOMEN OF THE FUTURE AWARDS IN ASSOCIATION WITH FAIRLADY AND TRUELOVE.
WOMAN OF THE FUTURE 2020 Dr Mmamontsheng ‘Dulcy’ Rakumakoe, CEO at Quadcare Occupational Health
‘The Women of the Future competition has really shown me the incredible impact women in business are making in their communities. It’s an inspiration,’ says Dr Mmamontsheng ‘Dulcy’
Rakumakoe, found e u adcare, which operates a ne t o f primary healthcare clinics acro uteng and an occupational he entre in Turffontein, Johanne
‘I’m so inspired by w h men are involved in, the busines y own, and how they’re driven b and passion for their communitie Knowing that I now have a network
in business fro arts of South Africa who are doing amazing things… It’s just incredible.’
As a child, witnessing her grandmother’s struggle to access basic healthcare and medication, Dulcy was inspired not only to become a doctor but also to provide safe, accessible and quality healthcare to those who need it most. Quadcare’s focus is on occupational health, ensuring that members of the workforce have access to specialised healthcare and medical examinations.
‘The Women of the Future competition has given us at Quadcare a unique opportunity to showcase what we do,’ Dulcy says. Ith as been a real privilege to re
gnition. We’ rep
WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
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about what we do, so winning the competition was very rewarding.’
The competition has opened doors for future collaborative efforts, she says. ‘I really marvel at the amazing things these women are doing. Knowing that many of us will find ways to collaborate and make the country better is just such an exciting prospect. The possibilities are endless.
‘Covid-19 has put it on hold for now, but I also look forward to the mentorship session with the HR director from Santam, which was part of my prize package. I’m always interested in learning and sharing in knowledge. The whole experience has been wonderful!’
RISING STAR 2020 Welile Gumede, director at Azowel Projects
‘I’m happy to report that since winning the competition we have expanded our production!’ says Welile Gumede, who launched Azowel Projects as a frustrated young chemical engineering graduate unable to find employment. She saw the immediate needs in her community of iLembe, KwaZulu-Natal, and identified possibilities with unused farmland in the area, which sparked the idea to plant and distribute crops.
‘We started out with 10 tunnels and now occupy 20,’ she says. ‘We’re also in the early development stages of growing crops other than tomatoes and peppers.’
Since Welile was named the Rising Star 2020, Azowel Projects has been presented with a number of investment opportunities, much to her delight. ‘I’ve been approached by investors… A lot of people are confident that I’ll make this venture work, and that feels really validating.
‘An award like this is encouragement to go out and do more. It’s such an honour and inspires me to keep going. The award not only afforded me invaluable exposure, but I was also able to use the prize money to pay my staff salaries at a time when it was needed most. It’s just an incredible opportunity.’
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR 2020 Dr Carolyn Hancock, chairperson at Thembelihle School and Angels’ Care, and director at The DNA Project
When Dr Carolyn Hancock came across a group of 120 learners and their teacher in a dilapidated classroom, she was galvanised into launching a project aimed at providing a safe, productive learning environment. In 2011 she opened the doors of Thembelihle Primary School in Howick, KZN, to 400 local boys and girls. In 2013 she also became the chairperson of Angels’ Care, which focuses on children’s education and nutrition, and support for victims of gender-based violence.
‘For NPOs such as ours, it’s all about sustainability and service delivery – that’s what sets us apart from any normal business model,’ Carolyn says. ‘When I entered the competition, it was about being able to get our work “out there” so people would know more about our organisations.
‘I’m happy to report that we were able to pay our staff throughout the pandemic, and we’ll be able to continue doing so this year. Overall, I think we were able to make a significant impact on our 400 children. We are truly grateful for the opportunities arising from this competition.’ ❖