Celebrating South Africa’s most successful women
“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one
organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist
The world has marked March as Women’s Month for over 100 years. Since the very first International Women’s Day back in 1911, the movement has grown into a global force, highlighting the huge social, economic, and political wins women have fought for in every part of society.
Hitting this 115-year milestone in 2026 is a tribute to over a century of collective grit, and a clear look at how much the world can change when people refuse to back down, courageously pushing for what’s possible.
I’m proud to work with a phenomenal team of women, and today wanted to highlight the achievements of a few other South African women who are not only leaders in their industries, but also role models and inspirational examples for our youth.
Joelene Pierce, KPMG CEO
At the beginning of March this year, Joelene Pierce took over the role CEO of KPMG South Africa from Ignatius Sehoole, who retired after six years in the role.
One of the things I love most about Joelene’s story is that’s it’s a wonderful example of how hard work and a “never give up” attitude can overcome most of the curveballs life so often throws at us.
She was born and raised in a small community in Pietermaritzburg, and in her Grade 11 year, her mother told her she couldn’t afford to send her to university. This prompted an epic bursary-seeking effort – together, Joelene and her mom sent off 144 applications.
Of the three she was offered, she accepted a comprehensive bursary from Eskom, which happened to be a KPMG client at the time. Eskom facilitated an introduction to the company when the time came for Joelene to complete her articles.
The rest, as they say, is history.
After only six years with KPMG, Jolene was appointed partner at just 28 years old. She currently serves as Head of Financial Services in South Africa and is a member of KPMG South Africa’s Policy Board, where she has led the team for the past five years.
“I am extremely grateful and honoured to take on the challenge of leading KPMG in South Africa,” she said. “My focus will remain on transformation, ethical practice, and embedding critical thinking into our business. This will ensure that, while continuing to strengthen trust in our brand, we also expand the firm’s role in driving social and economic development.”
Outgoing CEO Ignatius Sehoole said of her appointment, “It is an honour to hand over to not only a highly skilled, responsible leader, but one whose career has been underpinned by driving the core principles which we, as a business, are passionate about and actively champion within the sector.”
Natascha Viljoen, Newmont Corporation President and CEO
January 1, 2026, not only marked a new year, it also heralded in a new era for global mining giant Newmont Corporation. South African-born Natascha Viljoen became the first female CEO in the company’s 104-year history.
Natascha’s story is as inspiring as Joelene’s. She was born in Klerksdorp and her deep love and respect for mining and its people developed early, when she would accompany her father, a winding engine driver, to work.
She started her own mining career in 1991, when she joined Iscor as a training engineer. Since then, she’s held several international senior leadership roles, including as the CEO of Anglo American Platinum (now Valterra). She has also had high level roles with BHP and Lonmin, developing a reputation for developing high-performance teams and championing safety leadership and operational discipline.
Natascha has twice been honoured on Forbes’ Most Powerful Women International list, and has also featured among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.
Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe is medical doctor who has worked in various state hospitals in South Africa as well as the Medical College of Virginia in the United States.
She is also a highly successful businesswoman and philanthropist, and a powerful advocate for fashion and women’s rights. In 2007, she founded African Fashion International with the aim of unifying the fragmented African fashion and clothing industry to make it more commercially viable and sustainable.
In addition, together with her husband, the billionaire Dr Patrice Motsepe, she founded the Motsepe Foundation in 1999, and in 2013 they became the first couple from Africa to join The Giving Pledge.
As well as extensive development work across Africa, the foundation also has international partnerships with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, the Harvard Kennedy School, and the Milken Institute, among others.
Phindiwe Dlamini-Sangweni
Phindiwe Dlamini-Sangweni was the first black and first female director of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. She also served as the Chief State Law Advisor of the Eastern Cape Province from 2013 to 2017, and has played no small spart in bringing about much-needed reforms to South Africa’s judicial system.
But she is perhaps best known for her business leadership. She is the Chair of Purple Tree Holdings, where she oversees investments in various sectors, including construction and real estate.
Irene Charnley
As a key figure in South African business, Irene Charnley is known for her work in telecoms, trade unions, and corporate governance. She held executive roles at the telecommunications giant MTN and now owns significant stakes in companies like Smile Telecoms. In 2020, Forbes ranked her as one of Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women in recognition of her leadership and influence in business.
Gail Kelly
Originally from Pretoria, Gail is today one of the most influential women in the world of finance, with an executive banking career spanning over 35 years. She was the group CEO and MD of St George Bank in Australia, and later went on to become the first female CEO of Westpac Bank, which increased its market value by 60% under her leadership.
She successfully steered Westpac through the global financial crisis in 2008, and was named one of the world’s most powerful women by Forbes in 2010 and 2014. In 2017, she established the Gail Kelly Global Leaders Scholarship, a joint venture between the University of New South Wales and the University of Cape Town.
She is now retired, but remains an influential figure in the financial sector.
I could obviously go on, but space and time are not my friends. Suffice to say South African women have always had a way of turning obstacles into a roadmap. Their unique, homegrown grit keeps households running, businesses growing, and communities standing.
Whether they’re leading teams from global boardrooms or co-ordinating activities in their local neighbourhoods, women are changing the future of our country for the better every single day. This is what happens when collective action never stops – what were once radical dreams are now modern-day realities.
As we mark 115 years of International Women’s Day in March, please join me in celebrating the all the wonderful women who’ve gone from fighting for a seat at the table to leading nations and pioneering global industries.