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EZEKIEL PHALANA
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The 2026 eighth edition of She Owns Her Success brought together influential voices from sport, business, media, medicine and leadership for an empowering conversation about success. Resilience, health, leadership and the importance of creating opportunities for women.
Held as part of the Women’s Month programme, the event provided a platform for accomplished professionals and sporting personalities to share their experiences, lessons and perspectives on what it takes to build a successful and meaningful career.
Among the speakers was Doctor Khumalo, former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend , who reflected on his journey in football and experiences that shaped his success as a professional athlete. His contribution offered valuable lessons on discipline, perseverance, commitment and the importance of remaining focused throughout one’s career.
Bringing an important health and performance perspective to the programme, Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, a Sport and Exercise Medicine Specialist, shared lessons with women on the importance of looking after their physical wellbeing while pursuing demanding personal and professional goals.
Professional athlete Kirsten Landman also shared her personal journey in professional sport, giving the audience an insight into the dedication, challenges and determination required to compete at a high level. Her story highlighted the resilience needed to navigate the highs and lows of a professional sporting career.
The programme further featured a dynamic discussion led by Andile Ncube, sports personnel, media entrepreneur and CEO. Ncube was joined by Nqobile Ndlovu, Sports Business Specialist; Ilhaam Groenewald, Sport Executive, Strategist and Governance Leader; and Suraya Dawad, Director for Strategic Committees in the Department of Sport and Culture.
The panel examined the changing landscape of sport and the opportunities available to women beyond the playing field. Discussions touched on sports business, leadership, governance, strategy, media and the need to create sustainable pathways for women to occupy influential positions across the sporting ecosystem.
The event also featured Seseki Itsweng, Managing Director of Octagon South Africa, whose contribution brought further insight into the commercial and business dimensions of sport. Her perspective highlighted the growing importance of strategic partnerships, sports marketing and creating platforms that connect talent with meaningful opportunities.
Throughout the programme, a common message emerged: success is not defined by a single achievement or title, but by the journey, the challenges overcome and the impact created along the way.
She Owns Her Success 2026 also reinforced the importance of visibility and representation. From athletes and sports executives to medical specialists, broadcasters, entrepreneurs and governance leaders, the diverse speakers demonstrated the many ways women can contribute to and shape the future of sport.
As South Africa marks Women’s Month, the event provided a timely reminder that empowering women requires more than celebrating their achievements. It requires creating access to opportunities, investing in talent, supporting leadership development and ensuring that women have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape their industries.
The 2026 edition of She Owns Her Success ultimately celebrated ambition, courage and purpose, encouraging women to recognise their achievements, learn from their journeys and confidently take ownership of the future they want to build.
The message was powerful and clear: success belongs to those who have the courage to define it, pursue it and use it to inspire others.