Johannesburg, South Africa, January: Empowaworx, a leading catalyst for empowerment and sustainable development, is excited to reflect on a year of impactful programming that has made a tangible difference in the lives of South Africa’s youth, women, men, and entrepreneurs. With a powerful line-up of national summits and initiatives, Empowaworx has proven once again that change is possible when platforms are created for people to connect, learn, and grow. As the organisation gears up for an even more impactful 2025, it is inspired by the achievements of the past year and ready to continue its mission of shaping a more equitable and empowered society.
EmpowaYouth: Bridging Dreams with Opportunities
One of the standout achievements of 2024 was the EmpowaYouth initiative, which brought a series of transformative summits to key provinces across South Africa, including the North West, Free State, and Western Cape. These week-long events exposed young people to career pathways, training programs, and educational opportunities in critical industries such as transport, manufacturing, and agriculture. EmpowaYouth’s approach is focused on “bringing real and relevant opportunities to the youth where they are,” ensuring that these young individuals are not just passive observers but active participants in shaping their futures.
“EmpowaYouth is about meeting the youth exactly where they are in their journey towards becoming active and productive contributors to their communities. Our goal is to ensure they leave these summits with not only hope but the practical tools and insights to pursue their passions and careers,” said Sibongile Gangxa, Managing Executive, Special Projects of Empowaworx.
EmpowaWomen: Empowering Female Leaders Across Industries
EmpowaWomen, a platform dedicated to empowering women in leadership, had an exceptional year, particularly with its EmpowaWomen Leadership Summit in August 2024. This summit, the largest to date, convened an impressive 2,000 women from various industries, including transport, agriculture, and more. With 16 industry-specific stages and rich networking opportunities, the event provided women a space to connect, learn, and empower one another in their leadership journeys.
The continued success of EmpowaWomen speaks to the rising demand for platforms that equip women with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to excel in their respective fields. In addition, EmpowaWomen launched its EmpowaHer mentorship programme to bring younger women into the fold, fostering a new generation of female leaders.
“EmpowaWomen is not just about celebrating women in leadership; it’s about creating the spaces where they can thrive, grow, and mentor the next generation. We are deeply committed to ensuring that women in every industry are empowered to lead, innovate, and shape the future of their sectors,” Gangxa added.


EmpowaMen: Redefining Modern Masculinity

The EmpowaMen Summits took on an even greater level of significance in 2024. With two powerful summits held in April and November, the November summit celebrated International Men’s Day under the theme “Zero Male Suicide”. The summit served as a bold and courageous platform for men to engage in frank, unfiltered conversations on pressing issues such as mental health, violence, fatherhood, health, and wealth. Over 2,000 men participated in these dialogues, tackling some of the most sensitive topics surrounding masculinity today.
The EmpowaMen platform is rooted in the principle of “Redefining Modern Masculinity”, where men can engage in vulnerable and constructive conversations that aim to break the cycles of toxic masculinity while championing healthier, more balanced expressions of manhood.
“The EmpowaMen summits have proven to be vital spaces for men to address difficult conversations openly. We know that redefining masculinity starts with these hard conversations, and we are committed to facilitating them. Our goal is to shape men who are emotionally intelligent, accountable, and equipped to thrive in all aspects of their lives,” stated Gangxa.
EmpowaEntrepreneurs: Funding the Future of Small Business
In 2024, Empowaworx also launched its EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit, a significant initiative aimed at matching early-stage growth businesses with potential investors. The summit culminated in an exciting Pitching Festival, where entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a distinguished panel of venture capitalists and funders, marking a pivotal moment in the support of small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa.
The summit was not only a platform for securing funding but also an avenue for entrepreneurs to gain access to critical information and networks that will help them grow their businesses sustainably. Through these efforts, Empowaworx is continuing to empower entrepreneurs with the resources, knowledge, and connections they need to expand and succeed in the competitive market.

“The EmpowaEntrepreneurs summit was a clear reflection of our commitment to supporting and empowering entrepreneurs, particularly in the early stages of their businesses. We believe that with the right guidance, mentorship, and funding, South African entrepreneurs can achieve sustainable growth and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” said Gangxa.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Mentorship, Collaboration, and Sustainable Growth
As Empowaworx sets its sights on 2025, the organisation is excited to introduce two key extensions to its already impactful platforms:
- EmpowaHer: This new programme within EmpowaWomen will focus on bridging the generational gap by fostering mentorship between experienced women leaders and younger women entering the workforce. This extended programme will provide younger women with industry-specific guidance, creating a seamless transition into leadership roles in various sectors.
- EmpowaBoys: Recognising the need for early intervention, EmpowaBoys is born out of the necessity to promote healthy representations and expressions of masculinity from a young age. This programme will offer young boys the tools, support, and mentorship needed to navigate their formative years with positive, constructive role models and healthier self-expressions.
“Looking to 2025, we are excited about the future and the endless possibilities that come with nurturing leadership across generations. The launch of EmpowaHer and EmpowaBoys is part of our ongoing effort to create a holistic approach to empowerment for all pillars of society. These initiatives will equip women and men at all stages of their lives with the tools and mentorship needed to lead with purpose, integrity, and vision,” said Gangxa.
A Call for Continued Empowerment
Empowaworx’s work in 2024 has been a testament to the power of collaboration, mentorship, and sustainable development. As we look toward 2025, Empowaworx invites everyone – from youth to entrepreneurs, women leaders to men shaping modern masculinity – to stay connected, share ideas, and remain committed to driving empowerment for all.
“Empowaworx remains committed to creating lasting impact across South Africa. We cannot empower individuals in isolation; we must continue to build a network of interconnected leaders and supporters who are all working towards the common goal of sustainable growth and transformation. We are excited for what 2025 will bring, and we invite everyone to join us on this journey,” concluded Gangxa.
About Empowaworx
Empowaworx is a South African empowerment and development organisation dedicated to creating sustainable opportunities for youth, women, men, and entrepreneurs. Empowaworx aims to create platforms that inspire action, foster collaboration, and drive sustainable growth across sectors.
For media enquiries, please contact: Khanyisile Xayimpi | khanyisile@empowaworx.co.za & Oupa Setale | oupa@empowaworx.co.za

