Rita Zwane, the visionary founder of Imbizo Shisanyama Busy Corner, once more cemented her legacy in South Africa’s hospitality industry! Indeed, on this interantional women day; AfriQueens Magazine radiates pride as iconic entrepreneur Rita Zwane, founder of Imbizo Shisanyama Busy Corner, wins the 2025 Forbes Woman Africa Businesswoman Award at a dazzling gala hosted at Pretoria’s SunBet Arena. Zwane, celebrated for her transformative impact on South Africa’s hospitality sector, stood among luminaries like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Tiwa Savage, who claimed top honors at the 10th Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit.
MaZwane: A Living Icon of Township Economy and Entrepreneurial Excellence
Also dubbed the “Architect of Ubuntu Dining” or “the Shisanyama Queen”, Rita Zwane revolutionized township economies. Actually, she managed to turn a humble Soweto butchery into a nowadays hundrends of millions empire. Therefore, Imbizo Shisanyama is now a cultural institution with dozens of thriving locations. It merges traditional braai cuisine with community empowerment, employing over 500 locals and fostering small businesses through various initiatives. Beyond the Forbes spotlight, Zwane’s untold legacy includes her “Flamekeepers” mentorship program. This program has upskilled 300+ women in hospitality leadership since 2020. She also developed partnerships with local farmers in Mpumalanga to sustainably source 80% of her ingredients—a model reducing waste while uplifting agrarian communities.
This award is a torch passed to every woman grinding in the shadows,” Zwane shared, her voice echoing the evening’s theme of fearless progress.
Zwane’s journey—from battling funding biases to electrifying neglected spaces with entrepreneurial energy—trully mirrors the resilience of Africa’s informal sector, which she’s helped formalize and dignify.
Pretoria’s SunBet Arena: A Night of Female Firsts
The 2025 awards heralded prodigious talent, including 12-year-old Eniola Shokunbi, who claimed the Young Achiever Award for her global crusade installing air filters in classrooms. Equally remarkable, Hephzibah Akinwale, 12, earned the Next Generation Award for her record-breaking 58,000-word fantasy novel penned at age 10. They joined past honorees like Graça Machel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose strides paved the way for today’s changemakers.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting on her glass-ceiling-shattering career: “Young African women inspire me—they’ll conquer realms we’ve yet to imagine.” Meanwhile, media maven Tiwa Savage (Media Icon Award) vowed to launch music industry scholarships, and Minnie Dlamini (Excellence in Entertainment) highlighted the power of maturity in navigating her 9.3-million-strong digital empire.
Why Rita Zwane’s Win Resonates
For sure, Zwane’s triumph isn’t just business—it’s a cultural movement. Indeed, by weaving Ubuntu into every Imbizo experience, she’s proven that profit and social impact thrive together. With township economies contributing 6%+ to South Africa’s GDP, her blueprint fuels inclusive growth. AfriQueens readers, long admirers of her hustle, now watch as global stages amplify her legacy.
Heartfelt Congratulations, MaZwane! 🏆✨ Your journey inspires many—keep on winning! 🚀🔥
Post Scriptum: Join the Celebration
Share this story of audacity! Tag #RitaZwaneForbes2025 and #AfriQueensRise on your social media posts to honor a SA female visionary who turned braai pits into powerhouses. Let’s ignite her flame across continents.
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