The Innovator Trust announces dynamic speaker lineup for the WIT SMME Awards 2025
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Building on the momentum of the upcoming Innovator Trust Women in Tech (WIT) SMME Awards 2025 set to take place this Thursday in Johannesburg, the Innovator Trust is proud to announce an expanded lineup of distinguished speakers and panelists who are redefining leadership, creativity and innovation across South Africa’s technology ecosystem.
Under the theme “Shaping her Growth. Code It. Shape It. Scale It.”, these newly confirmed voices bring depth, insight, and industry-shaping expertise to this year’s programme.
Joining the already heavyweight business lineup, these additional leaders represent a powerful cross-section of South Africa’s digital, creative, entrepreneurial and corporate environments:
- Aphiwe Tafeni (Founder and CEO, Olem Business Boutique)
- Chipo Mushwana (Executive of Emerging Innovation & Payments, Nedbank Group)
- Dr Roze Phillips (African Futurist, Business Strategy Advisor & Founder, Abundance at Work)
- Janine Wood (Founder and Managing Director, Ignite Media)
- Lebo Lion – (Marketing Strategist, Tech Entrepreneur, Lyon)
- Baxbara Moagi – Our MC for the day ( Media Personality, Content Creator, and Brand Strategist)
- Linda Mabena-Olagunju (Founder and CEO, DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd, DLO)
- Mpho Motsemme (Media Liaison, SARS)
- Nicqui Galaktiou (Director, Nicqui Galaktiou Inc)
- Sisanda Mbodlela (Managing Director, SM Solutions PE Trading)
- Tsatsi Mthimunye (Managing Executive – Central Region, Vodacom)
- Zumurrud Rinquest (Managing Director, Curious & Creative)
These women expand an already formidable roster of thought leaders, strategists, founders and industry shapers featured across the day’s keynote addresses and panel discussions.
From the AI-driven future of digital creativity to the evolution of African tech leadership, the 2025 WIT Awards spotlight women who are coding, shaping and scaling South Africa’s digital economy.
Their contributions reinforce the message at the heart of the WIT Awards: Africa’s digital future is female-built—defined by intellect, innovation, and inclusive leadership.
Virtual registration is still open, so join thousands of entrepreneurs, professionals, and industry leaders for a full day of inspiration, strategy and transformative conversation. Secure your spot now.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INNOVATOR TRUST WOMEN IN TECH AWARDS
DATE Thursday, 20th November 2025
TIME 9am – 4pmInstagram: @innovatortrust
Facebook: @innovatortrust
Twitter: @innovatortrust
YouTube: Innovator Trust
Website: www.innovatortrust.co.za