4 African Women Redefining Marketing Leadership: DARE Awards 2026 Highlights

The 2026 DARE Awards honored some of Africa’s most influential marketing and corporate leaders, women whose work continues to redefine leadership at the intersection of technology, creativity, finance, and social impact.

This year’s ceremony also recognized excellence across the broader industry, including Sola Oke, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Africa, honored with the Visionary CEO Award, and Two Tone Global, named Independent Agency of the Year. Their achievements set the tone for a night dedicated to celebrating innovation, courage, and transformative leadership.

But at the heart of the evening were the women honorees, whose contributions continue to shape Africa’s future.

Gugu Mthembu, Chief Marketing Officer of Telkom South Africa: Dual DARE Honoree Transforming Tech & Innovation

Awards:

• DARE 2026 Honoree: Excellence in Tech & Innovation Leadership
• CMO of the Year

Gugu Mthembu’s leadership is rooted in a powerful philosophy: “Digital inclusion is not only about connecting people to networks; it is about connecting them to opportunity, to community and to possibility.” This belief has shaped Telkom’s transformation under her leadership, ensuring technology is not just functional, but deeply human and accessible. Her work in building ecosystems where women can participate and lead is a key reason she earned the Excellence in Tech & Innovation Leadership Award.

Innovation with Purpose

Her award-winning impact comes from her ability to connect innovation directly to customer value. She explains: “We have sharpened our digital channels, become far more data-led, and anchored the brand around a clearer purpose of enabling South Africa’s digital future.” Her acceleration of AI and machine-learning capabilities strengthened Telkom’s competitive edge and reshaped how the brand understands the modern digital consumer, earning her the title CMO of the Year.

Khensani Nobanda, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Nedbank: Outstanding Brand Marketer of the Year (Finance)

Award:

• DARE 2026 Honoree: Outstanding Brand Marketer of the Year (Finance)

Khensani Nobanda’s recognition reflects her ability to merge purpose, performance, and societal impact, a leadership philosophy that has redefined Nedbank’s brand presence.

Purpose-Driven Leadership

Nobanda’s approach is anchored in intentionality. She explains: “Purpose, when authentically embedded, sharpens strategic focus rather than diluting it.” Her work demonstrates how brand ambition and business outcomes can reinforce each other when guided by clarity, courage, and long-term thinking.

Championing Inclusion Through Finance

Her insights align deeply with the DARE Awards’ mission to spotlight women advancing equity across sectors. She notes: “Financial inclusion is about ensuring that people, particularly women, are not only economically visible but economically empowered.” Nobanda believes the financial sector must move from gatekeeping to enabling — investing in ecosystems that support skills, market access, and sustainable creative and economic participation for women.

Nunu Ntshingila, Chairperson @ Women for Women International: Advertiser of the Decade

Award:

• DARE 2026 Honoree: Advertiser of the Decade

Nunu Ntshingila was honored with the prestigious Advertiser of the Decade Award, recognizing her enduring influence on Africa’s marketing and digital landscape. Her leadership has shaped transformative brand narratives and opened pathways for women across creative and technology sectors. Her recognition at the DARE Awards reflects a legacy defined by vision, cultural impact, and a commitment to advancing women’s leadership at scale.

Andrea Quaye, Marketing Director, Heineken Beverages, South Africa: Outstanding Brand Marketer of the Year (FMCG)

Award:

• DARE 2026 Honoree: Outstanding Brand Marketer of the Year (FMCG)

Andrea Quaye received the Outstanding Brand Marketer of the Year (FMCG) Award for her bold, culturally intelligent approach to brand leadership. Her work continues to redefine how FMCG brands connect with consumers across Africa, blending creativity, purpose, and commercial excellence. Her DARE recognition celebrates a marketer whose influence extends beyond category leadership to shaping the future of brand storytelling on the continent.

A Shared Vision for Africa’s Future

Across industries, these women share a belief that the next era of African leadership will be shaped by those who combine technological fluency, ethical courage, and deep social relevance. Gugu Mthembu emphasizes: “Women will be central, as CMOs, founders, creatives, engineers, funders and community builders.” Khensani Nobanda echoes this vision, noting that women leaders bring a multidimensional lens that strengthens institutions and accelerates inclusive growth. Nunu Ntshingila and Andrea Quaye embody this same spirit, women whose leadership continues to expand what is possible for the continent.

DARE Awards 2026: Celebrating Women Who Move Africa Forward

The recognition of Gugu Mthembu, Khensani Nobanda, Nunu Ntshingila, and Andrea Quaye is more than a celebration of individual excellence, it is a reflection of a continent being shaped by women who lead with purpose, innovation, and impact. Their stories embody what the DARE Awards stand for: courage, transformation, and the power of women to redefine Africa’s future.