Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa and Pretty Kubyane honoured for redefining business, innovation and female entrepreneurship in South Africa
South Africa’s most inspiring women entrepreneurs took centre stage as Veuve Clicquot announced the winners of its prestigious 2026 Bold Woman Award and Bold Future Award during an elegant celebration at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg.
Now in its fifth year locally and celebrating its 54th anniversary globally, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award recognises visionary women who embody the pioneering spirit of Madame Clicquot. The awards celebrate entrepreneurs who lead with courage, innovation and purpose while creating opportunities for future generations.
Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa wins the 2026 Bold Woman Award
Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa, founder of Lindiwe Sanitary Pads (LSP), received the 2026 Bold Woman Award for building Africa’s first large-scale sanitary pad manufacturing facility that is entirely owned and operated by women.
What began in a home kitchen has grown into a 4,000-square-metre manufacturing facility in Centurion that produces 800 SABS-compliant sanitary pads every minute.
Despite being told she lacked manufacturing experience and would never succeed, Nkuna-Kgopa transformed scepticism into success. Today, her business employs more than 120 people during peak production, with the majority being women from previously disadvantaged communities.
Her impact extends beyond manufacturing. Through a partnership with Young Women of Africa (YWoA), LSP has expanded into 11 African countries, helping women launch and own their own sanitary pad brands. In 2026 alone, the company supplied more than 100,000 schoolgirls with free sanitary products.
Pretty Kubyane named 2026 Bold Future Award winner
The Bold Future Award went to Pretty Kubyane, co-founder and Tech Lead of eFama App, for transforming Africa’s agricultural sector through technology and artificial intelligence.
Raised in a farming family, Kubyane combined her passion for agriculture with technology to create a digital marketplace connecting farmers and buyers across South Africa.
Since launching in 2023, eFama has grown into a platform supporting more than 40,000 farmers. The business has attracted backing from global technology leaders including Google, Meta and Amazon.
Without a formal engineering degree, Kubyane invested hundreds of hours mastering coding, cybersecurity, cloud architecture and artificial intelligence. She has since earned more than 40 global certifications while helping shape the future of African AgriTech.
Celebrating women changing the future of business
Hosted by Nomndeni Mdakhi, the awards celebrated women whose businesses are creating lasting social and economic impact.
Award-winning poet Lebo Mashile delivered a specially commissioned spoken-word performance honouring female entrepreneurs, while 2025 Bold Woman Award winner Retang Phaahla, founder of Setšong Tea Crafters, reflected on how the recognition amplified both her business and the rural communities she supports.
Thomas Mulliez, President and CEO of Veuve Clicquot, attended the South African ceremony and welcomed the winners into the global Bold community.
He said the entrepreneurial spirit of Madame Clicquot continues to inspire women who challenge convention, create opportunities and build businesses that leave a lasting legacy.
Building a global community of women entrepreneurs
Beyond the awards, Veuve Clicquot continues to champion female entrepreneurship through its Bold Open Database, a free global platform connecting thousands of women-led businesses around the world.
The initiative encourages collaboration, networking and new business opportunities while strengthening the international community of female entrepreneurs.
As the newest members of Veuve Clicquot’s global Bold community, Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa and Pretty Kubyane join a network of women who are reshaping industries and inspiring the next generation of business leaders.
