Visa, in partnership with Absa, has announced the winners of the second annual She’s Next South Africa competition, a flagship initiative designed to empower women-owned businesses with funding, mentorship and practical training. The 2025 edition drew more than 1,000 high-calibre applications, a sign of the growing dynamism of women-led entrepreneurship in the country.
This year’s finalists reflected South Africa’s entrepreneurial diversity, with ventures spanning farming, furniture, recycling, manufacturing and clothing. The overall winner, Christine Masaiti of Grandstage Trading, walked away with the grand prize of a R450,000 grant for her pioneering Avo Ecopower Project, a solar-powered mobile avocado processing factory.
Second place and R270,000 went to Zimkhita Duze of Uuka Bricks, whose eco-friendly building materials business also earned her the coveted Impact Award and an additional R100,000. Tebogo Molotsi, founder of Stitches Uniforms, secured third place with R150,000, recognising her rapidly growing uniform and protective wear company.
Empowering Women, Building Legacies
The 2025 winners were unveiled at a showcase event in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on 23 September, which brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders and government officials.
Visa South Africa’s country head, Lineshree Moodley, underscored the programme’s broader mission: “We are here today not just as a celebration of the incredible finalists, but to honour the resilience and commitment we see women-owned businesses drive. This year we’ve been overwhelmed by the growth of She’s Next with over 1,000 applications at such a high calibre. We are seeing women not just participating in innovation but driving the charge for innovation. It’s not just about developing one business; it’s creating legacies that live on beyond the business.”
Alongside financial grants, 30 women-led SMEs will gain entry into an exclusive mentorship and training programme developed with Absa. The initiative equips entrepreneurs with operational skills and strategic guidance to navigate South Africa’s challenging business environment, strengthen resilience and unlock growth opportunities.
The Winners
Grandstage Trading – Winner of She’s Next SA 2025
Grandstage Trading’s Avo Ecopower Project is a solar-powered, mobile avocado processing facility housed in a 40ft modular container. It enables smallholder farmers across Africa to produce avocado oil, seed powder and animal feed on-site, reducing post-harvest losses and boosting incomes. With its lease-to-own model and digital traceability, the project supports eight UN Sustainable Development Goals and is scaling across Southern Africa under AfCFTA.
Uuka Bricks – Second Place and Impact Award Winner
Based in Kimberley, Uuka Bricks transforms non-biodegradable waste into durable building materials such as eco bricks and hollow cement blocks. Founded by Zimkhitha Duze, the company directly addresses plastic pollution and affordable housing shortages through green manufacturing and a circular economy model. With growing demand and strong community impact, Uuka Bricks is poised to become a leader in sustainable construction.
Stitches Uniforms – Third Place
Founded in 2020 by Tebogo Molotsi, Stitches Uniforms is a Rustenburg-based business producing affordable, high-quality school uniforms, protective gear, and hospitality wear. With four retail outlets, a staff of 16, and competitive pricing, the business is building a strong market position while expanding its reach.
Breaking Barriers to Growth
For Absa, She’s Next reflects a strategic commitment to inclusive growth. Mpho Nhlabathi, head of Strategy and Shared Value, Absa Group, said: “Entrepreneurship remains a cornerstone of inclusive growth and social progress. At Absa, we recognise the powerful role women-owned businesses play in creating jobs, driving innovation, and strengthening communities. Through our partnership with Visa on She’s Next, we are not only providing financial support but also addressing the systemic barriers that hold women entrepreneurs back. By enabling them to scale sustainably, we contribute to building a more resilient and inclusive South African economy.”
The urgency behind such programmes is clear. Absa’s 2025 Small Business Growth Index revealed that more than half of South African SMEs face the risk of closure within the year without external support. With sub-Saharan Africa already recognised as having the highest rate of female entrepreneurship in the world, initiatives such as She’s Next serve a critical role of ensuring women-led businesses are not merely surviving, but positioned to thrive.
By celebrating the 2025 winners while reflecting on the successes of the 2024 cohort, She’s Next South Africa is emerging as a transformative platform that amplifies women’s voices, strengthens their enterprises and contributes to a more inclusive economy.
