Lelo N Unveils WOW Africa 50 Women Honours Circle
Johannesburg, South Africa – Media personality and businesswoman Lelo Tabane, widely known as Lelo N, has officially launched the WOW Africa 50 Women Honours Circle. This new initiative is designed to celebrate and empower African women who are making significant contributions across various sectors, including business, leadership, culture, media, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. The launch, which recently took place, has generated considerable interest across the continent.
The WOW Africa 50 Women Honours Circle is more than just an awards platform; it is envisioned as a collaborative space for women to connect, share ideas, and work together. Its core objectives include building ownership, enhancing leadership skills, improving access to opportunities, and fostering generational wealth across Africa.
Vision and Objectives
Founded under the Workshops of Wealth ecosystem and supported by the Lelo N Foundation, the initiative reflects Lelo N's commitment to uplifting women. Lelo N articulated the project's mission, stating, 'WOW Africa 50 Women is intentional. We are building a circle of women who will collaborate across sectors and actively drive wealth creation, access and ownership at a continental level.' The platform seeks to honour women with genuine influence, strong credibility, and a broad reach, focusing on their quiet power and tangible impact.
Inaugural Event and Honourees
An intimate gathering for the WOW Africa 50 Women Honours Circle is scheduled for March 7, 2026, in Morningside, Sandton. This closed-door event will bring together honourees, partners, and invited leaders to facilitate discussions and foster teamwork, aiming to spark collaborations that lead to wealth creation and ownership.
Currently, 26 women have been selected through an internal review process, with submissions for the remaining spots open until January 7, 2026. Notable women mentioned as part of the circle include:
- Fatima Packery, recognized for her work in business and community upliftment.
- Norma Mngoma, for her contributions to leadership and public service.
- Gugu Khathi, for her expertise in entertainment and entrepreneurship.
- Lenore Goss-Matjies, for her focus on education and empowerment.
- Award-winning Amapiano star Lady Du, representing music and culture.
Founder's Background and Future Plans
Lelo N, whose full name is Lelo Tabane, has built a distinguished career as a media personality, real estate strategist, business coach, and brand ambassador. Raised in Tembisa, she has consistently focused on teaching financial literacy and creating opportunities for others. Her dedication was recently acknowledged with the Icon of African Economic Advancement award at the sixth Iconic Global Summit & Honors 2025.
Looking ahead, the initiative plans to expand to WOW Africa 100, incorporating more women into the circle. There are also intentions to introduce WOW Africa 50 Men, aiming to include male leaders in the broader effort for continental progress. These expansions are designed to create a robust network that supports Africa's future influence and legacy.
6 Comments
ZmeeLove
Wealth creation for whom? This seems to benefit a select few, not the continent.
Habibi
The vision for wealth creation and networking is commendable for high-achievers. Still, true continental progress also requires significant investment in foundational education and resources for all women, not just an elite few.
Mariposa
Recognizing women's contributions is essential, and the idea of a collaborative space is strong. Yet, the closed-door nature and focus on 'honours' rather than hands-on community work makes me question its wider reach and effectiveness.
Comandante
Love the focus on collaboration and wealth creation. This is impactful!
Bella Ciao
It's great to see initiatives promoting women's leadership and collaboration. However, the limited number and internal selection process might restrict its broader impact on less visible women.
Muchacho
Lelo N's commitment to women is clear, and the initiative has noble goals. However, expanding to include men later seems to dilute the specific focus on women's empowerment, which is still critically needed on its own.