This award aims to shine a spotlight on KZN women’s excellence, talent, ability and direct impact on the province of KZN in 2025 in corporate endeavours. While women may follow very different paths to climb the corporate ladder, the common characteristics of nominees in this category will be delivering real and measurable business impact, tackling business problems and obstacles with determination, creativity, applying innovative thinking to push boundaries and find new and better ways to do things in their organisations including mentoring and inspiring others striving for success.

This award aims to shine a spotlight on KZN women’s excellence, talent, ability and direct impact on the province of KZN in 2025 – 2026 in the small business or enterprise sector.  A nominee in this category will typically be a very imaginative and courageous visionary utilising their business acumen to bring new products or services to market and creating employment opportunities for others in the process. The characteristics of a classic nominee will be a high level of self-belief to rise above the challenges of entrepreneurship and reach her goals, consistently demonstrated exceptional and progressive leadership of her team (no matter how small), sound financial management and acumen and a commitment to growing people.

This award aims to shine a spotlight on KZN women’s excellence, talent, ability and direct impact on the province of KZN in 2025 in social entrepreneurship. This entrepreneur will use her business acumen and leverage her networks and expertise to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges faced by KZN communities. Her project will be innovative in its problem-solving approach and sustainable in its outlook and business model design. It will also utilize business methods and practices to generate impact, regardless of whether it is for-profit or non-profit.

This award aims to shine a spotlight on KZN women’s excellence, talent, ability and direct impact on the province of KZN in 2025 in education. It will recognize and celebrate excellence in education delivery, be it pedagogic or administrative. The spotlight will shine on exceptional teachers, lecturers, head-teachers and teaching assistants who help students aim high and achieve their potential, often meeting and overcoming considerable challenges along the way.

This award aims to shine a spotlight on KZN women’s excellence, talent, ability and direct impact on the province of KZN in 2025 in public service. It aims to recognize and honour those women in public service who put service to others at the heart of their work. A typical nominee in this category will be at the helm of an organization or department of any size (from a huge civil service department to a small district council). Focus is on highlighting progress and innovation in every different area of public service. Judges will be looking for clear evidence of teamwork, commitment that goes beyond the day job, and demonstrable impact.

This award aims to shine a spotlight on KZN women’s excellence, talent, ability and direct impact on the province of KZN in 2025 in community leadership. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in leadership through deep local understanding and outstanding initiative. The awards are designed to advance community-driven, innovative and sustainable solutions to critical issues facing KZN in particular. Traditional leaders, spiritual leaders and community organizers are all eligible for this award.

This award aims to shine a spotlight on a KZN woman whose excellence, talent and ability have directly impacted on raising the visibility and profile of KZN in 2025 outside the borders of the province. She has to be an individual that has made outstanding contributions to enhance KZN’s image as a leading global city, creative hub and international tourist destination.