On Thursday, 8 October, the 2026 TransUnion Rising Star Awards culminated in a gala dinner at NH Hotel Sandton, bringing together some of South Africa’s most promising emerging professionals, business leaders, judges, sponsors and industry stakeholders.
After months of nominations, applications and an intensive Judging Week, 12 exceptional young professionals were recognised as category winners, reflecting the breadth of emerging talent across South African business.
Beyond the trophies and applause, the evening recognised people who are already making an impact in their industries, and served as a reminder of the importance of investing in the leaders who will shape South Africa’s future.
Celebrating the 2026 TransUnion Rising Stars
The 2026 TransUnion Rising Star Award winners represent 12 different areas of the South African economy, each bringing their own experience, expertise and vision to their industries:
- Banking & Financial Services: Sibongakonke Kheswa, corporate financier, PSG Capital
- Energy & Environment: Stefan Links, research and protection manager, Forestry South Africa
- Entrepreneur: Cheryl-Lynn Freeman, founder and CEO, Mzansi Business Services
- ICT (Telecoms & Technology): Tracy Mulwela, principal product and segment lead, Vodacom
- Industrial Manufacturing: Zandile Monaisa, senior manager: finance, Rand Refinery
- Manufacturing FMCG: Thabang Modiba, brand manager, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Mondelez International
- Media & Advertising: Charmaine Ncube, senior strategist, Razor PR
- Mining & Minerals: Thabang Thlaku, executive investor relations and new business, African Rainbow Minerals
- Professional Services: Yasheen Harrielall, director: strategic growth and partnerships, Zutari
- Retail & Hospitality: Valentine Mabaso, director, Taonga Business Group
- Services Public & Private: Shaun Burger-Smal, executive: actuarial and data analytics, Bestmed Medical Scheme
- Transport Logistics & Security: Nandipha Ngcobo, acting regional enterprise development hub manager, Transnet
Together, these 12 people reflect a generation of professionals who are already contributing meaningfully to their organisations and industries – and who have the potential to shape what comes next.
Recognition that goes beyond the award
For the winners, a TransUnion Rising Star Award is about more than adding another achievement to a CV. It recognises the work, resilience, ambition and growth that have shaped their careers so far.
Zandile Monaisa, senior manager of finance at Rand Refinery and winner of the Industrial Manufacturing category, reflected on what the recognition means:
“For me, it’s about validating that I can balance execution, delivery and leading with heart. It’s about showing that it’s okay to be compassionate, to be authentic, to be who you are and to bring your whole self to what you do and genuinely care.
“That doesn’t only impact the bottom line financially; it also impacts the organisation, the heart of the organisation, which is its people and its culture. For me, it means I am able. I am the girl I didn’t think I could be, right?
“Career-wise, it will be what it will be. Whatever potential someone sees in me, they need to recognise it and use it, right? But that doesn’t mean I’ll sit on my laurels and say, ‘It’s okay, I’m fine.’ It means I’ll do more. I’ll make sure that whenever I occupy spaces or have a voice, I feel like I belong.”
For many emerging professionals, recognition like this can provide confidence and visibility at an important stage of their careers.
The journey to the gala dinner also gave finalists an opportunity to engage with experienced business leaders. During Judging Week, the 60 finalists were challenged to demonstrate their leadership potential, industry knowledge, critical thinking and ability to respond to real-world business scenarios.
More than 70 judges from across South African business contributed their expertise, making the awards not only a platform for recognition but also a space for industry connection.
Tracy Mulwela, principal product and segment lead at Vodacom and winner of the ICT (Telecoms & Technology) category, said: “I think one of the biggest things that has defined my career is learning that failure is part of the process. When you fail, you get to learn a lot. The sooner you fail, the better. I think failure is what brings out the best in you. You’re able to learn from your mistakes and your failures, and the things you’re able to achieve when you try again will amaze you in that process.”
Investing in the leaders of tomorrow
The TransUnion Rising Star Awards would not be possible without the organisations that choose to invest in emerging talent.
Sponsors and participating companies help create platforms where young professionals can be recognised, connect with experienced leaders and be exposed to opportunities that can influence the course of their careers.
Sponsor perspective
The value of the awards extends beyond recognising individual achievement. For the organisations that support the programme, it is also an opportunity to contribute to the development of South Africa’s emerging leadership pipeline.
Ndivhu Nephfumbada, group chief HR officer at Maziv, explained why supporting initiatives such as the TransUnion Rising Star Awards matters: “I think we don’t fully understand just how talented our people are, both in our nation and across the continent. For me, being part of the TransUnion Rising Star Awards is an opportunity not only to contribute to the recognition of that talent, but also, in a small way, to contribute to their journey.
“I believe that those of us who have already gone ahead need to pay it forward by creating platforms that allow others to rise. This is one of the best platforms we have in this nation, and I truly believe in what they do. I’m passionate about developing talent, which is perhaps why I’m in human resources. But when you’re able to do that on a larger scale, the impact is immeasurable.”
This matters at a time when organisations are competing to attract, develop and retain exceptional people. Supporting emerging talent is not simply about recognising today’s high performers; it is about developing the skills, relationships and leadership capabilities that businesses and industries will rely on tomorrow.
The organisations that invest in these opportunities are helping to build a stronger pipeline of future leaders while showing that they value ambition, innovation and potential.
From recognition to impact
The TransUnion Rising Star Awards form part of a wider commitment to creating positive impact beyond the gala dinner. Through initiatives such as Movement for Good, the programme extends the conversation beyond individual achievement to the broader role that emerging leaders and organisations can play in creating meaningful change.
For today’s rising professionals, success is increasingly about more than personal advancement. It is also about the contribution they make to their organisations, industries and communities. That broader sense of purpose is reflected in the stories of this year’s winners – professionals who are not only building their own careers, but contributing to the future of their sectors.
The next generation is already leading
South Africa’s next generation of leaders is not waiting for the future to arrive. They are already leading teams, solving complex problems, challenging conventional thinking and driving innovation in their industries.
Asked what advice he would give to other young professionals aspiring to make their mark, Thabang Modiba, brand manager, Cadbury Dairy Milk at Mondelez International and winner of the Manufacturing FMCG category, said: “Firstly, believe in God, and secondly, believe in yourself and in your craft. Put in the work, be passionate about what you do, and be passionate about making an impact wherever you go.”
It is a message that extends beyond this year’s 12 winners. Their stories show what can happen when ambitious young professionals are given a platform to demonstrate their potential – and when organisations choose to invest in that potential.
For businesses looking to strengthen their connection with emerging talent, demonstrate their commitment to leadership development and play a role in shaping the future of South African business, the opportunity is clear.
The next Rising Stars are already out there. The question is: who will invest in them?
About the TransUnion Rising Star Awards
The 15th annual TransUnion Rising Star Awards recognise and celebrate South Africa’s emerging leaders across industries, highlighting individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, resilience and potential. The 2026 awards brought together 60 finalists across 12 categories, culminating in the recognition of 12 category winners who represent the next generation of leaders shaping South African business. The TransUnion Rising Star Awards are supported by TransUnion, Sage, Biovac, SABC and Absa. For more information, visit Rising Star Awards or contact [email protected] for details on how to get involved in the Rising Star programme. Follow Rising Star SA on social media for all updates: LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.
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