Tana Malinga

The room was dressed in elegance, but the real glamour of the evening was found in the stories of women who have dared to rise, reinvent themselves and create meaningful change.

The 3rd annual WomenCan A Night of Mystery Gala and WomenCan Awards brought together an influential mix of women, leaders, entrepreneurs, changemakers, partners and allies for an evening dedicated to achievement, connection and transformation.

Under the powerful theme “Rebirth and Reinvention,” the gala celebrated women who have not only built successful careers and organisations, but have also used their journeys to open doors for others.

And among the evening’s remarkable stories was that of Relebohile Msiza, founder of the Lethabo Foundation and recipient of the Cornerstone Award , a woman whose personal journey carries a message far greater than an award.

A SURVIVOR. A FOUNDER. A BEACON OF HOPE.
For Msiza, the spotlight was not simply about recognition. It was a celebration of resilience.

As a cancer survivor, her journey stands as a powerful reminder that life can test even the strongest among us, but adversity does not have to write the final chapter.

Her story gives deeper meaning to the evening’s theme of rebirth and reinvention. Surviving cancer and continuing to build a foundation dedicated to making a difference reflects the kind of courage that cannot be measured by titles or trophies.

Her recognition as the Cornerstone Award recipient therefore carried a special emotional weight, celebrating a woman whose own experience of overcoming adversity has become part of the strength she brings to others.

Msiza’s journey is a message of hope: you can go through the storm and still find the strength to rebuild, serve and inspire.

WOMEN WHO ARE CHANGING THE ROOM
That spirit of transformation echoed throughout the evening.

Delivering the keynote address, Ayanda Mafuleka CA (SA), CEO of FASSET, challenged women to move beyond simply occupying seats at decision-making tables.

She emphasised that true representation must come with influence, ethical leadership and the power to shape decisions.
Her message was clear, women should not merely be present when important decisions are made, they must help shape the agenda, direct capital, make decisions, govern ethically and create pathways for the women coming behind them.

It was a fitting message for a room filled with women who are already doing exactly that.

THE WOMENCAN CLASS OF 2026
The 2026 honourees represented different industries, passions and forms of leadership, each bringing a distinctive story to the WomenCan platform.

The Powerhouse Award went to Sandi Mazibuko, founder of House of Fabrosanz, while Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Vice-Chancellor at Unisa, received the Beacon of Hope Award.

Palisa Jobela, founder of ME 2 (YOU)TH, received the Mind Builder Award, while Mbali Ntuli, founder of Ground Work Collective, was honoured with the Voice Award.
The Butterfly Award went to Babalwa Mbuku, founder of Ntombam Sanitary Towels, while Dr Lethabo Machaba, founder of Business Side of Medicine, received the Heart & Soul Award.

The evening also celebrated Marlene Coetzee-George, CEO of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation SA, with the SheCan Award.

Entrepreneur Ayanda Mhlongo received the Sky Award, while Charlotte du Plessis, founder of Woman of Stature, was honoured with the Founder Award.

Together, the recipients represented leadership in business, education, entrepreneurship, social development, health and community empowerment.

MORE THAN AN AWARDS NIGHT
While the trophies created the headline moments, the deeper purpose of the evening was connection.
WomenCan’s celebration was built around the belief that empowerment becomes stronger when women connect, collaborate and create opportunities for one another.
The gala blended recognition with entertainment, empowerment and celebration, creating an atmosphere where influential women and their allies could meet, exchange ideas and build meaningful relationships.

For WomenCan founder Tumi Mthemb, the honourees embody different dimensions of leadership, purpose, innovation and impact.
Their journeys demonstrate what women can accomplish when courage meets opportunity and when success becomes something to share rather than simply something to possess.

REBIRTH. REINVENTION. RISING AGAIN.
Perhaps the strongest message from the evening was that success does not always arrive in a straight line.
Sometimes it comes after failure.
Sometimes after loss.
Sometimes after a life-changing battle.
And sometimes it begins when a woman decides that her past will not determine her future.

That is why Relebohile Msiza’s story resonates so strongly with the spirit of WomenCan.
Her journey from cancer survivor to foundation founder and award recipient is a powerful reminder that survival can become purpose, pain can become strength, and a difficult chapter can become the beginning of something extraordinary.
The WomenCan Awards did more than celebrate accomplished women.

They celebrated women who continue to rise, rebuild, reinvent and reach back to lift others.
And on a night wrapped in mystery and elegance, that may have been the most beautiful statement of all.

A woman can be tested by life without being defeated by it. She can begin again. She can reinvent herself. She can rise and help others rise with her.

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