Forty under 40 South Africa (2025)

16/08/2025

Profile of your Beauty and Finance nominee: Sai Naidoo (Empire Nails and Beauty Studio)

Sai Naidoo is an accomplished marketer turned entrepreneur who made a courageous leap from corporate boardrooms to beauty business ownership.

With over 20 years of experience in brand strategy, corporate communications, and stakeholder engagement, Sai holds an MBA (cum laude), an Honours in Strategic Communication, and a Chartered Marketer designation, the highest professional accolade in the marketing field.

In 2024, just shy of turning 40, Sai launched Empire Nails and Beauty Studio, a boutique beauty business rooted in excellence, empowerment, and innovation.

In under a year, she has created jobs for three women, built strategic partnerships with other female entrepreneurs, and established a client-centred culture focused on trust, confidence, and care.
Her leadership journey, however, has not been without trials.

From an attempted scam to a high-stakes legal battle aimed at derailing her business, Sai faced enormous pressure in her first year. Instead of folding, she fought back—successfully defending her company, her team, and her vision. These experiences revealed her deep resilience, integrity, and commitment to leading with courage and purpose.

Beyond the studio, Sai’s impact extends into empowerment. She has mentored and upskilled her employees, built meaningful collaborations, and fostered a workplace culture where women are valued not just for their work—but for who they are becoming.

Her story is one of reinvention, grit, and feminine leadership in action.
Sai Naidoo is not just building a beauty brand—she’s creating a platform for empowerment, healing, and hope. Her journey is a testament to the power of experience, faith, and fearless reinvention.

16/08/2025

Profile of your Beauty and Finance nominee: Lihlelenkosi Nkala (Lin-Glazed Beauty)

Lihlelenkosi Nkala is a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Lin-Glazed Beauty, a fast-growing South African beauty enterprise combining high-quality beauty services, professional training, and mentorship.

Armed with a BSc in Computer Science and an MBA in Information Systems, she brings a rare blend of tech-driven innovation and business acumen to the traditional beauty industry.

At just 28, Lihlelenkosi has built her brand from the ground up. What started as a one-woman studio has evolved into a multifaceted company with an internationally CPD-accredited training academy, a growing client base, and a mentorship platform that has trained over 50 aspiring beauty professionals across South Africa.

She is currently completing her National Occupational Certificate in Beauty Therapy and pursuing QCTO accreditation, underscoring her commitment to national standards and professional excellence.

Beyond business, Lihlelenkosi is a dedicated community builder. She offers free beauty business workshops, mentors’ youth and women entrepreneurs, and collaborates with faith-based and grassroots initiatives.

Through her personal page, HerBizJourney, she shares faith-led entrepreneurial guidance, inspiring a new generation of purpose-driven business leaders.

Her journey from a full-time systems analyst to a purpose-driven beauty educator is a testament to her resilience, innovation, and impact. Lihlelenkosi’s story of faith, entrepreneurship, and social upliftment truly makes her a standout in South Africa’s beauty industry.

16/08/2025

Profile of your Beauty and Finance nominee: Asmeena Mohamed (Touch n Go Laser Bar)

Asmeena Mohamed is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and beauty therapist redefining wellness through a blend of technical excellence, community care, and unwavering resilience.

A graduate of Camelot International Beauty School, she holds diplomas in Health & Skincare (CIDESCO) and Reflexology, grounding her business in both professionalism and healing intention.

Her journey began modestly—offering mobile beauty services while working part-time at Camelot Spa in Saxonwold. In 2020, amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asmeena launched Touch n Go Laser Bar, transforming a solo hustle into a thriving wellness brand. Celebrating five years in 2025, her business is now expanding to a second location in partnership with a Fordsburg hotel spa.

Asmeena’s leadership style is hands-on, working seven days a week to ensure service excellence and staff development. She mentors her team and fosters a culture of growth, integrity, and care.

Outside the treatment room, Asmeena is a community champion. Through partnerships with HELLOFOUNDATION, Touch n Go donates meals to underprivileged children. Her "We Care" campaign supports single mothers and widows, providing practical resources and emotional support.

Guided by her late father's belief in her potential, Asmeena turned a career she once resisted into a legacy of empowerment. Her work proves that beauty is more than skin deep—it is about purpose, service, and transformation.

16/08/2025

Profile of your Banking and Finance nominee: Ofentse Tabane (Randcorp Investments)

Ofentse Tabane is a visionary entrepreneur, community builder, and advocate for men’s wellness who has built an impressive portfolio in South Africa’s industrial and financial sectors while staying grounded in purpose and social impact.

Born and raised in Makapanstad, a rural village in Hammanskraal, Ofentse attributes his strong moral foundation to the values instilled by his grandfather—respect, discipline, and integrity—principles that have guided his personal and professional journey.

After matriculating from Prestige College in 2007, he pursued studies in Media and Sound Engineering, equipping himself with communication skills that would later serve both his business and advocacy work. In 2013, he registered his first company, TBN Suppliers, which provided industrial consumables to the power, rail, and mining sectors.

By 2015, recognizing a financial gap faced by small suppliers, he founded Vortex Capital, a company dedicated to helping businesses access project and purchase order funding.

Ofentse's entrepreneurial evolution continued in 2022 with expansion into the coal haulage sector, securing contracts with Canyon Coal. In 2024, he launched Randcorp Investments, extending his footprint into mezzanine finance and innovative funding solutions across the private sector.

Beyond the boardroom, Ofentse serves as Secretary General of the Amatyma Brotherhood Circle, a national movement focused on fatherhood, mental wellness, responsible masculinity, and men’s socio-economic challenges. “Amatyma”—a colloquial term for father—captures the spirit of the initiative, which also includes a podcast and radio series to amplify its message.

Through public dialogues, partnerships, and mentorship, the initiative empowers men to become better fathers, partners, and citizens.

Whether he’s funding emerging businesses or facilitating difficult conversations about masculinity and healing, Ofentse Tabane is a powerful example of socially conscious leadership—committed to building not only successful enterprises but a stronger, more compassionate South Africa.

16/08/2025

Profile of your Banking and Finance nominee: Onkarabetse Seipelo Brenda Mojakgolo (OSB Accountants and Tax Advisory)

Onkarabetse Seipelo Brenda Mojakgolo is a visionary leader in South Africa’s accounting and enterprise development space. Raised in Pampierstad, Northern Cape, Brenda’s journey from retail floors to boardrooms is a testament to resilience, integrity, and purpose-driven leadership.

She holds a National Diploma in Accounting from CPUT and is a Chartered Business Accountant (CBA), accredited by the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants. As the founder of OSB Accountants and Tax Advisory, Brenda leads a dynamic firm that specializes in financial services for SMEs, cooperatives, NPOs, and township-based enterprises—bringing structure, compliance, and financial literacy to the heart of the informal economy.

Her 14+ years of retail sector experience, including roles at Cape Union Mart and Coricraft, sharpened her skills in procurement, finance, and operational strategy—insights she now applies to clients across logistics, agriculture, catering, and construction.

Beyond numbers, Brenda is a community builder. She partners with NPOs addressing food insecurity and mental health, offering financial oversight and stepping in with personal support when needed. Known for her relational leadership, she engages directly with grassroots businesses—visiting spaza shops, taxi associations, and farming collectives to offer hands-on guidance.

Brenda Mojakgolo is more than an accountant—she’s a movement builder for financial dignity, enterprise resilience, and inclusive economic empowerment in South Africa’s most overlooked regions.

16/08/2025

Profile of your Banking and Finance nominee: Gerald Mariemuthoo (South African Reserve Bank)

Gerald Mariemuthoo is passionate about building ethical systems that protect national security and promote financial integrity.

With 15+ years in frontline law enforcement and a strategic role at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), I’ve led covert operations, countered terrorism and transnational crime, and now investigate economic crime through partnerships across law enforcement, banking, and intelligence sectors.

At SARB, I lead forensic investigations, deliver specialized anti-counterfeiting training, and help strengthen financial resilience.

I’ve had the privilege of representing South Africa internationally, supporting security for major national events, and receiving recognition such as:
SARB Head of Department Award (2024)
Minister of Police Commendation (2023)
SAPS National Excellence Award (2023)
Top Achiever – Novia Business School (2024)

I am a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and member of ACAMS, I hold multiple qualifications in police science, banking, fraud examination, and AML/CFT. Currently, I’m completing my LLB and planning an MBA to further impact strategic leadership in Africa.

I believe in mentorship, values-driven leadership, and community service. As a Toastmasters VP and SARB Connect mentor, I nurture future leaders. My journey—from a modest background to national recognition—is driven by lifelong learning, humility, and impact.

15/08/2025

Profile of your Aviation nominee: Latty Thlaka (Aihborne Aviation)

Latty Thlaka is a trailblazing South African commercial pilot, drone operator, and CEO of Aihborne Aviation, a cutting-edge company providing drone services, training, and consulting nationwide.

With a Private Pilot License earned at 18 and a Commercial Pilot License alongside Remote Pilot Certification, Latty is redefining who belongs in aviation—through both innovation and access.

Her company’s impact spans sectors like conservation and infrastructure, with clients including the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and South African National Parks.

Through her nonprofit NGOConnectSA, she led a fully funded drone pilot training program in 2024, equipping 25 underrepresented youth with qualifications, stipends, and career opportunities—some of whom now work at her firm.

Latty is also the youngest-ever Chairperson of the South African Internet Governance Forum (ZAIGF), recognized by the UN, and a key player in shaping South Africa’s 4IR, ICT, and aviation qualification frameworks.

She holds a Project Management Certificate and is currently pursuing a double major in Law and Economics at Wits University.

Her leadership is deeply service-driven, from delivering aid during crises to founding platforms like the Youth Internet Governance Forum and the School of Internet Governance.

Born in Seshego and raised in Johannesburg, Latty transformed personal tragedy into purpose. Named among the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans (2024), she is not only flying aircraft—she’s building runways for the next generation.

15/08/2025

Profile of your Authorship and Creative Writing nominee: Talent Tarisai Manyonga (Let’s Talk Finances with Tarie)

Talent Tarisai Manyonga is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA), financial literacy advocate, and founder of Let’s Talk Finances with Tarie.

Passionate about breaking cycles of financial illiteracy, she has educated over 3,000 adults and 1,000 children across South Africa through schools, churches, NGOs, and digital platforms.

Talent launched her mission-driven work during the COVID-19 pandemic, co-founding Fin Lit Besties with Clare Makoni and publishing two acclaimed books—What School Never Taught My Daughter (2021) and Making Sense with Your Cents (2023), the former approved by the Gauteng Department of Education for school use.

Her approach blends accessible financial concepts with storytelling and mindset change, especially targeting women, youth, and underserved communities.

She’s worked with organizations like Phola NGO and Hope, Faith Orphanage to combine financial education with psychosocial support.

Despite beginning her degree at 27 and overcoming a speech impairment, Talent has emerged as a sought-after speaker, community educator, and advocate for inclusive economic growth.

She regularly participates in initiatives like Money Smart Week SA and uses her corporate FMCG experience to connect grassroots financial transformation with sustainable development.

15/08/2025

Profile of your Authorship and Creative Writing nominee: Odwa Bungu (Afroglyphics Publishers)

Odwa Bungu is a visionary author, cultural educator, and founder of Afroglyphics Publishers, a literary platform committed to empowering communities through storytelling, education, and cultural preservation.

Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language and Communication Studies with a minor in Anthropology, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in African Heritage and Museum Studies, Odwa brings a unique, Afrocentric lens to education, activism, and youth development.

As the author of four published books, Odwa uses literature not only as an art form but as a powerful tool for social change. His work addresses critical issues such as stuttering, identity, literacy, and social inequality—creating space for often unheard voices, particularly among township youth.

His book on stuttering, in particular, offers practical tools and emotional support for those navigating speech challenges, making a meaningful contribution to both literature and public health advocacy.

Through Afroglyphics Publishers, he leads a range of initiatives, including book clubs, public speaking workshops, and creative writing classes designed to enhance literacy, confidence, and self-expression among children and teens.

His grassroots campaigns focus on social reform, mindset transformation, and education, giving rise to what he calls the Township Revolution—an ideology aimed at reshaping township life through innovation, agriculture, and culture-driven thinking.

Odwa’s impact has gained national recognition. He has been featured on SABC News, Cape Town TV, 5FM, Daily Dispatch, Mhlobo Wenene, and various community radio stations such as Mdantsane FM and Ngqushwa FM.

In 2023, he was selected as one of 14 South African Trailblazers for Social Change by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and was nominated by Daily Dispatch as a Local Hero.

15/08/2025

Profile of your Authorship and Creative Writing nominee: Musa Gift Masombuka (Limpopo Department of Education)

Musa Gift Masombuka is an award-winning South African poet, educator, and author whose work powerfully bridges literature, education, and social justice.

He holds a B.Ed in Senior and FET Phases and serves at the Limpopo Department of Education, where he inspires youth through both curriculum and creativity.

His acclaimed poetry collection Elegies & Eulogies—introduced by Poet Laureate Dr. Mongane Wally Serote—has been approved for library distribution by educational and cultural departments in Gauteng.

Recognized by the PanSALB Awards, Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans (2022), and SA Shining Stars (2020), Masombuka’s voice resonates in classrooms and cultural spaces alike.

He serves on the Poet Laureate Committee, contributes to film and media projects, and mentors emerging artists.

His writing draws deeply from Sepedi heritage, echoing the philosophy of Dr. Sindiwe Magona by shaping English to reflect African depth.

Through his work, Masombuka champions identity, language preservation, and youth empowerment—cementing his role as a cultural and educational changemaker in South Africa and beyond.

15/08/2025

Profile of your Authorship and Creative Writing nominee: Katlego Rammusa (Ant Thou Sluggard Media)

Katlego Rammusa is a South African entrepreneur, award-nominated author, and IT professional dedicated to empowering communities through storytelling and technology.

With a National Diploma in IT from Tshwane University of Technology and over a decade of technical experience, he is the founder of Ant Thou Sluggard (Pty) Ltd and BATLA, both rooted in his ATT principle—Action, Timeline, Tangible Results.

A published author of 11 books, including Born Poor but Rich in Mind, Rammusa opened a community bookstore in 2025 at Nkomo Village Mall to nurture township writers and readers.

He runs mentorship programs to support youth authors and is widely recognized for advocating literacy in underserved areas.

Rammusa’s influence spans cultural activism as well, seen in the launch of Motswako: The Beginnings in collaboration with the Iranian Cultural Consulate.

He’s been honored with Institutional Support Awards, literary nominations across Southern Africa, and a 2024 Leadership Award from Bishop Mogodiri for his community impact.

15/08/2025

Profile of your Authorship and Creative Writing nominee: Bonginkosi Allen Thango (University of Johannesburg)

Dr Bonginkosi Thango is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where his teaching, research, and strategic initiatives are all tightly aligned to the UJ Strategic Plan 2035 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Bonginkosi Allen Thango holds a Doctor of Engineering, a Master of Engineering (Cum Laude), a Bachelor of Technology and National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. In parallel, Dr Thango is a 2025 graduate of the Johannesburg Business School’s MBA programme (Cum Laude) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Science at the University of the Witwatersrand, focusing on the developing a decision support framework for Solar PV System selection in SMMEs using a Multi-Objective Optimization Approach — a clear demonstration of his dual fluency in engineering, development economics and policy. Since 2020 he has published 37 conference papers and 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, he has published 2 books.

Dr Thango holds an NRF Y rating, was named one of the Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in the category of technology and innovation. In 2025, he was a semi-finalist for the 2024/2025 NSTF-South32 Awards — emerging researcher category and is currently a finalist for the 2025 TransUnion: Rising Star Award and Forty under 40 Awards.

He is a recipient of the prestigious 2025 NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researcher. Additionally, he is a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and a Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng) with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

One of Dr Thango’s most groundbreaking contributions is the development of a real-time, IoT-based water quality monitoring system designed for informal and underserved communities — a solution currently under patent evaluation (DIS-2025-302).

Forty under 40 South Africa

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