In a room filled with warmth, wisdom, and unwavering purpose, the CGCSA Women Colloquy unfolded on the 27th of August 2025 in Johannesburg under the banner “Empowering Women, Empowering the Future” a gathering that celebrated solidarity, advanced equality, and called for sustainable change. Hosted by Neo Momodu, Executive Legal, Regulatory, and Stakeholder Engagement at GS1 South Africa, the event opened with a heartfelt reminder: “Take two girls under your mentorship and remember the people who brought you where you are.” This spirit of upliftment was embodied by the presence of TechnoGirl CGCSA Foundation bursary beneficiaries—living proof of what intentional support can achieve.
The panel conversation between Zinhle Tyikwe, CEO of GS1 South Africa, and Ms Sibongile Mkhabela, Chief Executive Director of the Barloworld Empowerment Foundation, emphasized the importance of knowing the people you work with and nurturing Ubuntu in the workplace. Their dialogue echoed a shared belief: that leadership is not just about strategy, but about humanity.
Tom Mkhwanazi, CEO of W&R SETA, brought the power of partnerships into sharp focus. With 60% of his office made up of women and over 14,000 bursaries awarded—many to women who had not studied in years—his message was clear: collaboration is strength. W&R SETA’s support of TechnoGirl, sparked by this very event, has already impacted 69 women, 46 of whom are youth.
Lehlogonolo Thobejane, Chief of People, Culture, and Purpose Officer at KFC Africa, shared her journey from flipping burgers in Hammanskraal to leading one of the continent’s most recognizable brands. Her story was a testament to belief, grit, and the power of doing what you love—and getting paid for it. Through initiatives like Women on the Move, Streetwise Academy, and the R2 donation campaign (now South Africa’s largest feeding scheme after government), she illustrated how corporate ecosystems can become engines of empowerment. She closed with a resonant quote: “Lift as we climb, one woman at a time.”
Leanne Martin, Vice President of Insights and Innovation at SAB, took the audience on a journey of self-belief and reclamation. From ballet to advertising, with no formal FMCG background, her story was a masterclass in owning your narrative. Through themes like #Own it, #Claim it, and #Lead it, she reminded us that leadership begins with self-recognition: “Walk into the room as if they already said yes.”
The CGCSA Women Colloquy was more than an event—it was a movement. A reminder that empowerment is not a moment, but a mindset. And that when women unite, mentor, and lead with empathy, they don’t just change their own lives—they shape the future.
