Entrepreneurs Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa and Pretty Kubyane have been recognised as the 2026 recipients of the Bold Woman Award and Bold Future Award, celebrating women whose work is reshaping industries while creating opportunities for others. Now in its 54th year globally, the Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot honours visionary women who, in the spirit of Madame Clicquot, lead with courage, innovation and a commitment to empowering others. Established in 1972 to mark the Maison’s 200th anniversary, the Bold Woman Award has since evolved into a global tribute to women across 27 countries who are reshaping the future of business.
For Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa, founder of Lindiwe Sanitary Pads, boldness has always meant backing herself. What started in a home kitchen has grown into Africa’s first large-scale sanitary pad manufacturing facility owned and operated entirely by women. Today, the Centurion-based factory produces hundreds of sanitary pads every minute, employs women from previously disadvantaged communities, and has expanded into 11 African countries through partnerships that empower women entrepreneurs to launch their own brands. Beyond manufacturing, the business is helping tackle period poverty, supplying thousands of schoolgirls with free sanitary products while proving that women can lead and own businesses in industries traditionally dominated by others.
Technology entrepreneur Pretty Kubyane is changing the future of agriculture through innovation. As Co-founder and Tech Lead of eFama App, she has built a digital platform connecting more than 40,000 farmers and buyers across South Africa, using data and AI to help farmers make smarter production decisions and improve access to markets.
Despite facing doubts about her ability to lead a technology company without a formal engineering degree, Kubyane invested in mastering software development, cloud architecture, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Today, her work has attracted support from global organisations while positioning eFama as one of Africa’s most exciting AgriTech platforms.
The Common Thread
While their businesses operate in very different sectors, both women share a common thread: they’ve challenged convention, built businesses with purpose, and created pathways for others to succeed.
Now in its fifth year in South Africa, the Bold Woman Awards continue to spotlight entrepreneurs who are redefining leadership through resilience, innovation and community impact. This year’s winners are a reminder that the future of African entrepreneurship is being shaped by women who are building more than successful businesses, they’re creating lasting legacies.
