Breaking Business Norms: Women Entrepreneurs Who Are Redefining Success in 2025
Women are reshaping the face of entrepreneurship in South Africa on their own terms, redefining success through influence, resilience, leadership and vision. Here’s a look at the most exceptional South African women who are breaking the traditional definitions of power and profit and thriving.
1.Sindiso Khumalo – Fashion as a Force for Good
Designer Sindiso Khumalo excels in blending sustainability with storytelling in her creations. Her brand works with small workshops and craft communities in South Africa and Burkina Faso to produce handcrafted clothing that showcases intricate weaving and natural dye techniques inspired by the African identity. Having shifted from architecture to make a mark in ethical fashion worldwide, Sindiso’s collections are highly desired and stocked by known retailers, like Selfridges and Net a Porter.
2. Zandile Mkwanazi – Tech for Township Talent
Zandile Mkwanazi is the founder and CEO of GirlCode in South Africa. She is leading the charge in creating an innovation-driven movement for women in technology. GirlCode has successfully provided training to over 80 000 girls and young women in tech fields such as coding and software development, with a goal to impact 10 million individuals by the year 2030.
She runs programmes in neighbourhoods and schools that lack resources by providing complimentary technology workshops and courses to prepare individuals, for employment opportunities.
3. Pretty Kubyane – AgriTech for Market Access
Pretty Kubyane is a tech entrepreneur who co-founded eFama App back in 2023 with the goal of transforming the way small scale farmers engage with potential buyers online. The platform serves as a marketplace that cuts out intermediaries by providing clear pricing information and ensuring product quality and logistical assistance. Since its inception eFarm has welcomed than 5 000 farmers and 6 000 buyers into its network garnering interest, from investors both at home and abroad.
4. Nthabeleng Likotsi – Banking on Women’s Power
Chairperson and Managing Director of the operative Financial Institution (CFI) Nthabeleng Likotsi leads the Young Women in Business Networks mutual bank focusing on empowering female entrepreneurs, with inclusive banking services that prioritise women who are typically overlooked by conventional financial institutions.
These women are reshaping of the definition of success and are moving away from burnout culture and embracing a more balanced approach, to work and life. They focus more-on creating ethical environments rather than pursuing empires based solely on exploitation.
A great practical training option that ties in with these inspiring entrepreneurial journeys is the Project Management Fundamentals short course from IMM Institute. It’s perfect for anyone looking to bring structure to big ideas, whether you’re starting something new or scaling up a purpose-driven venture. The course focuses on real, hands-on skills to help you plan, manage, and deliver projects with confidence, without losing sight of balance or vision along the way.
Conclusion
Their stories show that today’s power lies in purpose. Profit is no longer the only metric – social value, impact, and legacy matter just as much. In redefining success, these entrepreneurs aren’t just leading businesses, they’re leading a movement rooted in innovation, impact and authentic leadership.
