More Than Business: Women Connecting, Collaborating and Celebrating
By Chelsea Morford
An evening of fashion, friendship and meaningful connections brought together the women of KZN Top Business Women 2026 at Amor Couture in Oceans Mall, Umhlanga, for a special cocktail event hosted by this year’s cohort member, Sita Hiralal.
The event offered a wonderful opportunity for both current and past KZN Top Business Women to reconnect, meet one another and celebrate the achievements of women in business in a relaxed and elegant setting. With an exciting mix of personalities, industries and experiences in attendance, the evening was a fitting reflection of the diversity and strength of KwaZulu-Natal’s female business community.
Each year, KZN Top Business recognises 40 exceptional business women through its KZN Top Business Women initiative. The programme celebrates their individual journeys, achievements and contributions through professional photoshoots, interviews and a gala dinner, culminating in the publication of the KZN Top Business Women coffee table book. Featuring portraits and personal stories from all 40 women, the publication serves as a lasting celebration of their impact and leadership.
Sita’s initiative to host an additional gathering ahead of the gala dinner added another meaningful dimension to this year's celebrations, creating space for relationships to further develop.
The evening was made even more special through the generous support and collaboration of several businesses, many of which are connected to the KZN Top Business Women community.
Arashnee Ramjuguth, owner of Refresha Trading and a member of the 2026 cohort, sponsored the water for the occasion, contributing to the evening’s hospitality.
Edgars and Edgars Beauty also came on board, treating every guest to a thoughtfully curated gift bag filled with surprises. Adding to the experience, guests could explore dedicated beauty and fragrance displays, including an Armani Beauty stand, a Roberto Cavalli perfume stand and a Versace perfume display.
Entertainment and hospitality were equally well considered. Annie Viljoen, owner of Kleens Music, supplied the sound equipment and microphones for the evening, as well as arranging a saxophonist to provide live musical entertainment. Shaleen Govender, a past KZN Top Business Woman and representative of SearchWorks 360, added a sweet touch to the occasion, contributing the loveliest desserts.
Guests were also able to enjoy cocktails from the Musgrave Gin stand, adding to the relaxed atmosphere and giving everyone an opportunity to unwind and enjoy the occasion.
Beyond the beautiful setting, generous contributions and thoughtful details, what stood out most was the opportunity to bring together such a diverse group of women. From established business leaders to entrepreneurs and professionals across a variety of sectors, each woman brought her own perspective, experience and story to the room.
Events such as this demonstrate the value of creating opportunities for women to connect outside their usual professional environments. They encourage conversations, foster new relationships and strengthen a community built on shared ambition, mutual support and collaboration.
As the KZN Top Business Women prepare for their upcoming gala dinner and the launch of this year's coffee table book, the Amor Couture cocktail evening was a wonderful reminder that the initiative is about more than recognising individual success. It is also about building a network of women who can inspire and encourage one another.
A spectacular idea, beautifully brought to life by the women themselves – and a celebration of the connections that make this community so special.
Amor Couture:
Kleens Music:
Refresha Trading:
SearchWorks 360:
