Prices

Early bird ticket – R1725 (Vat incl)

Individual ticket – R1840 (Vat incl)

Stall and individual ticket – R2530 (Vat incl)

Group of 10 – R1610 x 10 = R16100 (Vat incl)

Nomination fee – R 575 (Vat incl)

A Word by Noni

Widowpreneur Rising was birthed from a deeply personal place—a divine instruction that came after I recorded the final episode of my podcast, A Space to Breathe. I asked God, “What now?” And in His gentle yet powerful way, He answered: “I want you to host an annual event for your fellow widows. Empower each other. Support one another. Grow together. Walk this journey side by side, because you all know what it feels like to be alone.”

And just like that, Widowpreneur Rising was born.

This is more than an event, it is a calling. A community. A movement. A safe space where widows can rise beyond loss, reconnect, and reignite their purpose. Through this annual gathering and the year-round initiatives to follow, we will empower widows to build and grow sustainable businesses, offer mentorship and coaching, and support each other emotionally, spiritually, and professionally.

For me, this is personal. After the passing of my husband, I struggled to find my footing again. I had lost not just a life partner, but a major pillar in my professional world, his network, his presence, his belief in me. I had to rebuild, often in silence and solitude. It was lonely, and it was tough, but I know now that I was never meant to do it alone and neither are you.

Widowpreneur Rising is our response to that isolation. It’s our commitment to making sure no widow feels unseen, unsupported, or stuck. Together, we are creating a business hub, listing registered widow-owned businesses, offering collaborative opportunities, and walking this path as sisters in strength and purpose.

This is our time.
This is our rise.

Sindisiwe Mbuthuma is a dynamic communications strategist, wellness entrepreneur, and founder of Lishe, an award-winning online wellness publication. Through Lishe Wellness, she creates impactful wellness products like artisanal teas and gourmet jams while curating insightful content on mindful living.

Her vision is to build a holistic wellness brand that fosters mindful living, community connection, and sustainable practices. Beyond Lishe Wellness, Sindisiwe is a dedicated advocate for storytelling, digital marketing, and serves as a resource for innovation. As a certified Pilates instructor, she promotes movement as a form of self-care, empowering individuals to embrace wellness on their own terms.

Shereen Hunter is the founder of African Brand Architects, a boutique consultancy that helps purpose-driven businesses build meaningful, stand-out brands. With over 15 years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, and communications, she empowers entrepreneurs to define their voice, clarify their message, and connect with their audience through intentional storytelling.

Shereen is also a passionate advocate for widow empowerment. As a widow herself, she understands the profound journey of loss and the strength it takes to rise again. Through mentorship and community engagement, she helps fellow widowpreneurs reclaim purpose, rebuild confidence, and create lives of meaning and financial independence.

Known for her warmth, authenticity, and insight, Shereen brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the stage. As a moderator at Widowpreneurs Rising, she is honoured to hold space for transformative conversations that uplift and inspire.

Award-winning financial expert Nonhlanhla Nxele is the Founder and CEO of Esteemed Financial Solutions and Esteemed Learning Academy. With nearly two decades of experience, she is a seasoned CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®. She was honoured with the FPI 2024 “It Starts with Me” award, recognised as a 2024 Top 50 IFA in South Africa by Citywire, and named one of the Top 3 Woman of Stature in the Financial Services Category (2025).

Nonhlanhla is also a mentor, coach, and assessor, currently guiding two aspiring Certified Financial Planners® on their professional journey. She uses her voice to advocate for financial literacy and inclusion, particularly for women.

As the host of A Space to Breathe, her YouTube podcast, she offers practical tools and emotional support for widows rebuilding after loss. Nonhlanhla is passionate about helping people secure their legacies and thrive financially—at every stage of life.

Cleola Kunene is an award-winning Start-up to Scale-up investment and growth expert. She is a minority partner in a debt and equity fund and also serves as Head of SME Development at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Cleola drives Economic development solutions, with a specific focus on SME growth, funding access, international market access, red tape reduction and strategic relationships, with a particular focus on public and private partnerships. Currently she serves as Chairman for Rentoza, and is the G20, StartUp20 Deputy Chair for Trade and Market Access. She is also an Independent Investment Committee director for Edge Ventures. She was the winner of Future Leaders Awards, Entrepreneurial leader 2024 and the winner of the Mail and Guardian Winner, Women of Power for 2023.

Prior to her current role, Cleola was the Head of SME, Strategic Initiative Incubation and Customer Experience at the JSE. In her role, she was responsible for organizational transformation, and driving new business solutions and strategy development.

Before joining the JSE, Cleola was a co-founder of Say Siyabonga an e-commerce business and River Life a water bottling company, she also founded Blaq Circle Consulting. She also worked for various multinational organizations such as MultiChoice, T-Systems and Media24.

Cleola holds an Executive Development qualification from DUKE Fuqua School of Business and a master’s degree in business administration from Henley Business school. She also holds a communications qualification from University of Reunion Island, a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, and a Financial Accounting qualification from Tshwane University of Technology and a post graduate qualification from University of the Witwatersrand (WITS).

Keitumetse Lekaba (“The Business Doctor Keitumetse Lekaba””) empowers entrepreneurs to build and grow sustainable businesses by providing expert strategy, financial management, business model, and innovation guidance. She’s a passionate educator and simplifies complex business concepts, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence to succeed.

Keitumetse is the Managing Director at I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR (Pty) Ltd. In her role, she directs and leads all business operations and manages the strategy. She leads the development and implementation of Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programmes for multi-national companies. With over 15 years of experience, she has led the implementation of ESD Programmes for companies such as Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, Exxaro Mine, Sasol, Sanlam, Telkom, Good Year, Reckitt Benckiser,
Barloworld and many more.​

​Keitumetse is a resident guest lecturer at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Entrepreneurship. She is also a sought-after Speaker and Masterclass Host, specialising in funding readiness, financial management, business modelling, and business planning. As a speaker, she passionately spreads the message of building sustainable businesses through her insights and lessons learnt throughout her journey.

​​Keitumetse’s academic journey culminated in achieving a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from GIBS in 2023. Before this milestone, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an Honours degree in Taxation from the University of Johannesburg. Throughout her academic and professional pursuits, Keitumetse has demonstrated a steadfast focus on diverse areas including Business Modeling, Business Management, Strategy, Tax, Compliance, Financial Management, and Business Funding, along with expertise in Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD).

​​Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of our economy and Keitumetse’s passion for an
inclusive entrepreneurial eco-system has pushed her to elevate the MSME sector by building sustainable businesses to ensure long-term economic viability in South Africa and beyond.

​​Keitumetse is a co-founder of multiple businesses, and outside of business and finance, she is the founder and chairperson of Goddess Girls, an NGO facilitating girl child mentorship in Soweto.​​ She is an exceptional leader, with charisma and extensive knowledge in her field.

Born Penny Matshidiso Lebyane, in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. Penny has become a multi-levelled media practitioner, with over 20 years’ experience in both Radio and Television.

Her career started at community radio station – The Voice of Soweto. Penny hosted ETV’s Sunrise, and Women’s Talk Show called Motswako on SABC2 for 5 seasons amongst other things.

Career highlight was an exclusive interview on international news network; Aljazeera about the impact Oprah Winfrey had on African Women and their Development. The network identified Lebyane as a Voice for African Women.

Executive Producer | Entrepreneur | Philanthropist | Legacy Builder

Celebrating a life intertwined with music, compassion, resilience, and triumph.

Mpho Tshabalala is more than a reality TV personality — she is an executive producer, award-winning philanthropist, and purpose-driven entrepreneur, whose life story is rooted in love, strength, and impact.

Born on September 18, 1980, in Soweto, and later raised in Ekurhuleni, Mpho is a proud mother of three children — two boys and one girl. In 1998, she met her late husband, South African kwaito icon Mduduzi “Mandoza” Tshabalala, and they married in 2003. Their union was one of shared dreams, cultural pride, and deep mutual support.

Following Mandoza’s passing in 2016, Mpho became the custodian of his legacy, leading with courage and grace. Through the Mandoza Foundation, where she serves as Founder and Director, she channels her energy into youth empowerment, education, community upliftment, and the preservation of South African culture.

Mpho is also a seasoned executive producer, behind biopics, stage productions, and musical tributes that tell powerful stories of heritage and hope. Her work has helped cement Mandoza’s influence in history while spotlighting new and emerging talent.

Her professional journey is complemented by her academic pursuits — she holds a Diploma in Comprehensive Computers and Business Administration (Marketing) and is currently studying Applied Psychology, further aligning her personal mission with healing, identity, and purpose.

In addition to her many roles, Mpho is a stroke survivor, a testament to her resilience and willpower. Her recovery has only deepened her advocacy for mental wellness, health awareness, and emotional strength, especially among women and caregivers.

Mpho Tshabalala continues to use her voice and platform to lead meaningful conversations around identity, purpose-driven leadership, gender equality, and personal transformation. Whether she’s mentoring youth, curating national campaigns, or building legacy-driven platforms, Mpho stands as a beacon of hope, healing, and heritage.

Through every triumph and trial, Mpho Tshabalala remains a symbol of endurance, love, and legacy — a woman transforming pain into purpose and remembrance into renewal.