Johannesburg, 26 August 2025- The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), in partnership with sponsors, AMKA, Danone, Kellanova, KFC, Kit Kat, Mars and SAB will convene its flagship 2025 Women Colloquy on 27 August 2025 in Johannesburg. This high-level gathering will bring together female executives, thought leaders, and changemakers to explore the evolving role of women in South Africa’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector and the broader economy.
Under the theme “Empowering Women, Empowering the Future: Uniting in Solidarity, Advancing Equality, and Sustainable Change,” the colloquy will spotlight the indispensable contributions of women in shaping a more just, equitable, and resilient society. The theme also resonates with the core principles of the G20 Summit 2025, reinforcing the global imperative for solidarity, gender parity, and sustainability.
“This year’s colloquy is more than a convening, it’s a catalyst for transformation,” says Zinhle Tyikwe, CEO of CGCSA. “We are proud to host a platform that champions gender equality, celebrates leadership, and accelerates sustainable progress across one of South Africa’s most dynamic sectors.”
Representing over 9,000 industry members, CGCSA is a leading voice in the consumer goods, retail, and services ecosystem. The FMCG sector remains one of the country’s largest employers, with an estimated 3.5 million South Africans contributing to its growth and innovation.
The colloquy will feature strategic dialogues on leadership, resilience, and inclusive transformation, offering delegates a space to exchange insights and co-create solutions. It will also serve as a showcase of CGCSA’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development and institutional reform.
“While the FMCG sector has made commendable strides in transformation, the pace of change must now match the urgency of our national and global aspirations,” says Zinhle Tyikwe, CEO of CGCSA. “As one of South Africa’s largest employers and most visible economic engines, the sector carries a profound responsibility to lead by example. We must dismantle systemic barriers to women’s advancement and embed a culture of equity, opportunity, and accountability across every level of our value chain.”
Tyikwe emphasises that this leadership imperative cannot be fulfilled in isolation. “It demands bold, coordinated action, where government, business, and civil society converge to accelerate inclusive growth. Together, we must champion the advancement of women and the girl child, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5, and ensure that transformation is not just aspirational, but operational.
The 2025 Women Colloquy is expected to yield a shared vision for gender transformation in the FMCG sector, with actionable insights on policy reform, inclusive leadership, and mentorship. CGCSA will use the platform to reaffirm its commitment to driving sustainable and measurable change, advancing
institutional reform, investing in skills development and transparent reporting. Through its advocacy role, CGCSA will mobilise its industry members to engender equity into their operational and governance frameworks, setting a new benchmark for sectoral leadership.
Media enquiries : Sure Kamhunga 083 601-6990 or Neo Momodu 079 462-5081
