This year’s GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards, themed “The Game Changers Edition,” honoured 12 extraordinary women who are trailblazers in their fields. After a two-year hiatus, the event returned on Saturday, November 19.
The crème de la crème of the social scene and VVIPs attended the pink carpet event, which was held at the lovely Boschendal Wine Estate.
“With WOTY we are honouring and highlighting phenomenal women who are leaders in their chosen fields. These women are game-changers and deserve to be celebrated as outstanding individuals who are changing the narrative and pushing boundaries when it comes to the way they work, and this is the essence of the GLAMOUR brand,” says GLAMOUR’s Editor-In-Chief, Nontando Mposo.
See the list of winners below:
International Gamechanger
Peace Hyde
Peace is the creator and executive producer of Netflix’s first African reality TV series Young, Famous & African, as well as the Head of digital media and partnership and the West African Correspondent at Forbes Africa. She is the founder of Aim Higher Africa, a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of education in impoverished communities across Africa. Her list of accolades includes being shortlisted amongst 200 leaders as part of the Obama Foundation Africa Leaders program and the African Social Impact Award at the House of Parliament, House of Commons in the UK in 2019.
Gamechanging Actress
Thuso Mbedu
The KZN born actress is making waves in Hollywood. She’s managed to capture the attention of global audiences with her range and work ethic. Her list of accolades includes a SAFTA for best actress in a TV Drama in 2018, a Hollywood Critics Association Award for TV Breakout Star in 2021, a Gotham Award for Outstanding Performance in New Series in the same year, as well as an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in New Scripted Series in 2022. Her most recent role in The Woman King alongside Viola Davis has also been critically acclaimed.
Gamechanging Entrepreneur
Siba Mtongana
The multi-award-winning, internationally acclaimed Celebrity Chef, author and founder of the Siba Company. She’s also the owner of Siba Restaurant which offers an iconic 5-star dining experience in the heart of Cape Town. Her list of achievements includes being hand-picked by the presidency to culinary direct and curate the VIP menu for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration, international awards for her book My Table as well as five 5 US Film and Television Awards, and four local awards for her TV shows.
Tech Gamechanger
Tashline Jooste
Chief Executive Officer for the Innovator Trust, created to support the growth of small black-owned Information and Communications Technology (ICT) businesses in South Africa. Her approach to social impact positions her as a trailblazer in the tech space. Tashline is an advocate for female entrepreneurship with extensive business experience and has done extraordinary work in terms of visibility for women in tech.
Beauty Gamechanger
Dr Vanessa Lapiner
Specialist Dermatologist and founder of root4 skincare, TASH360 and AD&L. Rooted in her integrative dermatology approach, her inclusive range is disrupting the skincare industry through cutting-edge technology and scientifically proven powerful active ingredients that benefit the skin’s health.
Mental Health Gamechanger
Shudufhadzo Musiḓa
Published Author and Mental Health Advocate. Shudu used her platform as Miss SA 2020 to launch her platform MindfulMondays in partnership with SADAG to raise awareness around mental health and continues to elevate the conversation. She has also been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Global Surgery Foundation.
Sustainability Gamechanger
Jackie May
Founder & Editor of Twyg she is championing sustainability through her NPO. Twyg promotes sustainable, circular, regenerative, caring and ethical living. The content she publishes on the platform is a commitment to exploring ways we can live well now while ensuring a kinder, inclusive, nature-friendly future for all. When she’s not producing content for her site, she works with Refashion Lab exploring inclusive and repurposed fashion.
Fashion Gamechanger
Yoliswa Mqoco
The award-winning social media influencer, stylist and digital creator has positioned herself as a game changer in the design and fashion spaces. As a plus-size model, she continues to elevate the conversation around representation through her beautifully curated content on Instagram and the liberatory practice of expressing yourself. Yoliswa wears confidence and self-love and encourages curvy women to have just as much fun dressing up as everybody else.
Gamechanger in Music
DBN Gogo
DJ and producer Mandisa Radebe, popularly known as DBN Gogo, has cemented herself as an influential figure on the SA music scene. The ‘Khuza Gogo’ hitmaker is at the peak of her career and has helped shape the amapiano wave. Her music has taken on a unique form, and her hit songs feature on playlists across the country as a DJ, and she dominates the charts.
Sports Gamechanger
Janine van Wyk
Not only is she the captain of the Women’s National Football team but she plays for her own club, JVW. She is the highest-capped player in South Africa with 180 appearances and the highest-capped female in CAF. During her tenure as captain, Banyana Banyana has done exceptionally well. Led by Coach Desiree Ellis, the team was also crowned the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Icon Award
Anele Mdoda
The award-winning broadcaster has a long-standing career in radio and TV which spans over 17 years. Her show The 947 Breakfast Club with Anele is one of the most popular radio shows. The 947 radio host speaks with lots of passion and her longevity can be attributed to her infectious personality and take on current affairs, parenting and lifestyle-related topics. Anele is also an award-winning television presenter hosting various shows including SA’s Got Talent, and Miss SA and winning a SAFTA for her talk show Real Talk with Anele.
Next Gen Gamechanger
Rabia Ghoor
Swiitch Beauty is one of South Africa’s most popular beauty brands. Rhabia started her makeup range Swiitch Beauty at just 14 years old. Seven years later Swiitch Beauty has grown into the innovative digital makeup brand we know and love. Rhabia created an affordable local beauty brand for South Africans that has the same variety and quality as other countries. The range features 20 products including cosmetics, skincare and sunscreen and has recently expanded to the retail space at We Are Egg in Cavendish Square.
Toyosi Etim-Effiong, the wife of Nigerian actor Daniel Etim-Effiong, recently stirred reactions by admitting that she does not completely trust her husband, even after seven years of marriage.
During the latest episode of her podcast, The Toyosi Podcast, where Daniel was invited as a guest, he directly asked her, “Do you trust me 100 percent after seven years of marriage?”
After carefully considering the question, Toyosi responded with a firm “No.” She emphasised that, although she trusts Daniel to remain committed to his vows, she also acknowledges that life is full of uncertainties and unpredictable circumstances.
Toyosi Etim-Effiong explained,
“Do I trust you a hundred percent? No, but I trust that you will always keep me in the loop. Maybe not ‘keep me in the loop. I’ve spent these years with you, I know you to a large extent and I’m getting to know you better. I think that you will do your absolute best to honour your vows and honour what we have. But I’m also aware that, I don’t want to say anything can happen, but things happen more or less. And I feel like if anything ever happens, I would know.”
The clip from the episode quickly went viral, sparking diverse reactions from social media users. Some viewers agreed, saying they understood Toyosi’s perspective, while others criticised the couple for sharing such a private moment online.
An Instagram user voiced her understanding, saying, “Her response in the interview is deep. Her emotions, facial expressions, and thoughtful pauses, coupled with her careful choice of words, speak volumes. I sincerely wish them all the best.”
“You can never trust someone 💯, you can lie to yourself that you do but it’s not possible, if 💯 trust is attainable, there won’t be jealousy, there won’t be fear of losing that person… as long as you married someone with value, someone you know that other people would do anything to have because they are good both financially and character wise, you will always have that fear of losing them and that fear is as a result of lacking trust and it’s normal… you just have to control your fear and trust them at least 75% for the sake of your inner peace,” said another person.
Another person voiced their disapproval of the content: “There’s no reason why this should be content. I’m very much against this sort of marital content. You’ll harm yourselves but to each their own.”
“U want to make content and hustle with sensitive private content creation that could spin off and probably mess you up if care is not taken..a good discussion but strictly away from public eye….lets be calming down,” another person warned.
Popular Nigerian comedian Bovi openly shared his views on Nigeria’s restrictive dating culture, highlighting its impact on relationships and marriages in adulthood.
During a recent interview on The Honest Bunch Podcast, Bovi explained his perspective in detail. He said,
“Most parents don’t want to hear that their children have boyfriends but when they get to a certain age, they start asking them to bring their husbands home. From where? Children aren’t even allowed to date!
He added, “I said something one day on a TV and people were coming for me for saying that young children should be able to go on dates and all.”
The comedian explained how strict upbringings in many Nigerian households often prevent young people from experiencing the normal stages of dating.
He explained,
“Our parents didn’t encourage that behaviour so we used to hide our boyfriends and girlfriends from them. Do you know how many stages you jumped? You didn’t go to the cinema to see a movie harmlessly; you didn’t stroll on walks and write letters.”
Bovi humorously highlighted how parents tended to overreact to even the smallest signs of romance, saying, “If they saw us with love letters back then, they’d shout at us, and you’d wonder what you did because they raised an alarm.”
“We criminalise the dating culture for too long in Nigeria and now we’re complaining that marriages are breaking. Marriages are breaking because people have unfulfilled dreams of dating. There is the extent to which you’d date people, as a single man, that when you marry, you know you’re not missing anything because you’ve done it all,” he concluded.
Nollywood actress and media personality Nancy Isime celebrated her 33rd birthday in grand style, using the occasion to reflect on her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to fulfilling her dreams.
On her birthday, Nancy shared stunning photos of her new home, which she acquired in 2023, with her Instagram followers.
In a heartfelt caption, she detailed her journey, recalling how she once lived in an unfinished house and worked tirelessly to eventually own her dream home.
She wrote,
“This is 33!🥹
“Which of the Lord’s blessings can I deny? None!
“I remember so clearly, I was about 13, sitting in what was going to be our new home – an uncompleted building, the only windows and doors were those protecting the rooms we would sleep in. Everywhere else was pure carcass! No flooring, No ceilings, No doors, No windows, No running water- just our beloved well, which provided us water to do everything including drink.”
Isime shared how she vowed to change her family’s story and purchase her father’s dream home, despite the challenging circumstances.
“I remember sitting there and one day I said… I’m going to own a Good home! But before I buy even a tiny piece of land, I’m going to help Daddy achieve his lifelong dream of owning a fully completed furnished house,” said the actress.
“Quietly while everyone was celebrating this new feat, in passing, I said “God, I don do wetin you say make I do oh, abeg help me run my own, but no rush, at your own time” December 15, 2023, I received the keys and papers to my dream home, after making my first initial payment just a few days prior (Slide 4&5)” she added in part.