Young Leaders Connect (YLC) will host its sixth annual IDEAL Leadership Summit and Awards in Johannesburg on 21 August 2026, gathering some of South Africa’s most influential women leaders and rising talent for a day of frank conversation, learning and practical collaboration.
This year’s theme, Impact That Transforms, challenges leaders to move past inspiration and towards action that changes organisations, communities and lives. With artificial intelligence reshaping industries and the world of work, the Summit will put one question to every delegate: in the AI era, will human qualities such as empathy, courage and judgement become the ultimate competitive advantage?
The question sits at the centre of the day’s flagship debate and runs through a programme of keynote addresses, TED-style talks and panel discussions on leadership under pressure, mentorship, sponsorship and the realities women carry in leadership. The day also pays tribute to the women who went first, the pioneers who broke barriers and widened the path for the generation now coming through, and closes with the IDEAL Awards Gala, which honours exceptional young women across several categories. The full programme accompanies this release.
The 2026 Summit also marks the start of a new chapter for the organisation. Vision 2030: Harnessing Collective Power launches at this year’s event, following the conclusion of Vision 2025: Empowering the Future. The shift is deliberate. Where Vision 2025 set out to ignite potential, Vision 2030 aims to mobilise collective leadership that delivers measurable outcomes and lasting change.
Since its relaunch in August 2020, YLC has mentored over 550 young women, equipped more than 250 with governance training and supported over 200 entrepreneurs through skills and business development workshops, while establishing five tertiary student chapters across the country. A detailed impact overview accompanies this release.
Kagiso Mavuka, Co-Chair of YLC, says the Summit is built around one conviction. “At YLC, we believe your exposure shapes your possibilities. When people are exposed to new ideas, courageous leaders and different perspectives, they start to imagine a different future for themselves and for others. Our hope is that every delegate leaves not only inspired, but equipped to create real change in their organisations, their communities and wherever they hold influence.”
Her fellow Co-Chair, Katekani Hlaise, adds: “This is not a standard networking event. We have designed a space for honest engagement and real learning, because we believe meaningful conversations should lead to meaningful action. In the end, leadership is measured by the transformation that follows.”
The event is supported by Standard Bank Private, whose sponsorship enters its third consecutive year.
Funeka Montjane, Chief Executive Officer for Personal and Private Banking at Standard Bank Group, says: “Standard Bank Private is proud to sponsor the YLC IDEAL Leadership Summit and Awards for the third consecutive year. This partnership reflects our commitment to youth empowerment, to unlocking potential and to enabling inclusive growth that creates lasting impact for future generations.”
Attendance is open to aspiring and established women leaders across sectors who are committed to shaping the future through ethical leadership and purposeful action.
About Young Leaders Connect (YLC)
Young Leaders Connect (YLC) is an initiative of the International Women’s Forum South Africa (IWFSA), relaunched in August 2020 to develop the next generation of ethical women leaders. Through strategic programmes, governance training, mentorship and entrepreneurship support, YLC equips young professional women with the skills, knowledge and networks to drive positive impact across South Africa.
About IWFSA
The International Women’s Forum South Africa (IWFSA) is the South African chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), a global organisation of more than 8,000 distinguished women leaders across 36 countries and 76 forums. IWFSA is committed to nurturing the next generation of women leaders through targeted leadership development, mentoring and coaching.
About Standard Bank Group
Standard Bank Group is an Africa-focused, client-led and digitally enabled financial services organisation, providing comprehensive and integrated solutions to clients while driving inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent. Deeply rooted in the continent’s history, the group is committed to empowering individuals, businesses and communities through impactful financial solutions and responsible business practices.
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