BUILDING A LEGACY OF KZN TOP BUSINESS WOMEN
Business Sense
While KZN Top Business Women 2026, supported by Women of Africa Group and Morar Incorporated, will culminate in a special evening on 19 November, the value of the initiative extends well beyond the event itself.
Hosted at Coastlands Skye Hotel in Umhlanga, the first three days of photography and interviews brought together women from diverse industries and professional backgrounds. From fashion, healthcare and property to construction, sport, media, hospitality, law, logistics, finance and sustainability, the 2026 cohort reflects the breadth of talent contributing to KwaZulu Natal’s business landscape.
The significance of the programme lies not only in recognising what each woman has achieved, but in creating a platform where individual accomplishments can become part of something bigger.
Investing In Women
That vision is shared by the organisations supporting the initiative.
One of this year’s sponsors is Women of Africa Group, founded and owned by Advocate Pria Hassan, herself a 2014 KZN Top Business Woman. Her involvement brings a sense of experience of the programme and its impact on women’s careers. continuity to the programme, with a former participant now helping to create opportunities for the women being recognised today.
She says, “Women of Africa can partner with anybody, but in KZN Top Business Women we know we’re partnering with credibility, especially the sound way in which they build the reputations of these women, which is fabulous.”
Another sponsor, Morar Incorporated, led by CEO Jennifer Reddy, has also continued its involvement because of the value she has seen through her own
Jennifer says, “We have continued being a sponsor because we saw the value and the transformation in the lives of the 40 women we select every year. Women face different challenges and this platform uplifts these women. We are putting a mirror to them to say you’ve done an awesome job; you need to be recognised.”
Media partner Minenhle Dlamini, managing director of Gagasi FM, also experienced the initiative as a participant before becoming involved as a media partner.
“After experiencing KZN Top Business Women last year and realising the calibre of women participating, it became important to be part of this initiative to shine a spotlight on all these ladies who are doing such great things for KZN as a whole,” she says.
Their involvement highlights the importance of collaboration in creating opportunities for women in business. When businesses, leaders and individuals invest in platforms that bring people together, those relationships can open doors to new ideas, partnerships and support.
More Than A Collection
The KZN Top Business Women recognition includes participation in a webinar, a video interview, a photo shoot and a coffee-table book editorial. Each editorial represents an individual story, but the collective publication also creates a snapshot of the women contributing to KwaZulu-Natal’s economy and communities in 2026.
The real value, however, lies in what happens around those stories. Each woman will also have had the opportunity to form new friendships, expand their networks and connect with women who understand the challenges and rewards of building, leading and growing a business.
Recognition provides a moment to pause and reflect on how far each woman has come. Connection creates the possibility of what comes next.
The final event may have a date, but the relationships formed through KZN Top Business Women have the potential to continue long after the celebrations are over.
