About
The Mail & Guardian’s Power of Women is an annual showcase of South Africa’s women frontrunners that has become a hallmark on our calendar. The initiative is not just a celebration of women’s achievements, but a testament to their resilience and determination. These are stories that often go unseen but are truly empowering and uplifting.
This year, we proudly celebrate the 19th anniversary of the Mail & Guardian’s annual flagship event, Power of Women. This milestone marks nearly two decades of recognising and celebrating the immense contributions made by South African women. In the spirit of Women 20 (W20), this year we are celebrating women who turn the impossible into unstoppable.
We pay tribute to the women who challenge limitations, shift narratives and lead with a purpose. Stay tuned for exciting updates and special features as we celebrate this significant milestone.
The final 100 Powerful Women chosen this year represent a diverse range of sectors and communities. They work in science, social justice, the arts, education, entrepreneurship or beyond. This initiative is a celebration of women’s resilience and determination, stories that often go unseen but are truly empowering and uplifting.
HOW WE CHOOSE THE WINNERS
You will not find conventional celebrities among the 100 women recognised by the Mail & Guardian’s Power of Women. Our criteria are broad and encompass individual accomplishments, the nominee’s ability to take a leading role in their field, peer and public recognition, and a willingness to give back to society. Every year, we empower the public by opening the nominations process through our website, mg.co.za/powerofwomen, making them an integral part of the program. This year, we received hundreds of nominations from the public. Once nominations close, we go through the list and shortlist potential finalists for each category based on the motivations submitted by the nominees. The finalists are sent questions and the profiles are written based on their answers. Keep your ears to the ground and eyes open for the new crop of upcoming talent in the class of 2026 and be sure to nominate them.
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