Good Hope FM Crowns Warrior Women

Good Hope FM has officially unveiled the winners of the 2026 Warrior Woman Awards, honoring ten exceptional women whose courage, tireless activism, and leadership are reshaping communities across Cape Town, the Western Cape, and the country at large.

Now in its third consecutive year, the flagship initiative—spearheaded by The Morning Show with Leigh-Anne Williams—shines a national spotlight on women leading meaningful grassroots interventions across healthcare, youth education, sustainable job creation, community safety, sport, and the creative arts. Following an open public call that drew hundreds of competitive nominations, this year’s honorees reflect the depth of selflessness and innovation driving social progress on the ground.

A glamorous gala celebration at Lagoon Beach Hotel

The 2026 recipients were celebrated during a gala awards ceremony on Saturday evening at the Lagoon Beach Hotel in Milnerton. Hosted by radio veteran Leigh-Anne Williams, the event was integrated into Good Hope FM’s weekend broadcast schedule, pairing emotional acceptance speeches with presentations from on-air station talent, senior executives, and civic leaders.

Acclaimed Cape Town singer-songwriter Mujahid George delivered a stirring live musical set, anchoring an evening dedicated to celebrating local resilience and communal upliftment.

Masi Mdingane, Business Manager for Good Hope FM and 5FM, emphasized that the platform exists to translate recognition into systemic, ongoing support:

“Cape Town’s Original is proud to stand behind the original sheroes of our nation, not only showcasing them, but hopefully inspiring others to support them, empower them, learn from them and ignite their own fires.” — Masi Mdingane, Business Manager: Good Hope FM & 5FM

The 2026 Warrior Woman Awards winners

• The Hunger Fighter Award: Carmen Stevens (Somerset West) — Founder of the Carmen Stevens Foundation, which has coordinated and delivered over 56 million nutritional meals to vulnerable learners across 701 primary schools.
• The Wellness Warrior Award: Mymoena Scholtz (Grassy Park) — Honored for 17 years of frontline community healthcare, trauma counselling, and family wellness services across the Cape Flats.
• The Community Builder Award: Mutheera Rademeyer (Ocean View) — Recognized for holistic grassroots development, coordinating youth educational enrichment, food relief schemes, and environmental greening initiatives.
• The Community Care Award: Sandy Schuter (Strandfontein) — A dedicated community safety champion celebrated for nearly two decades of crime prevention, victim support, and gender-based violence advocacy.
• The Creative Impact Award: Shana Fife (Pelican Heights) — Acclaimed author and advocate whose published literary work confronts systemic gender-based violence, deconstructs cultural stereotypes, and sparks dialogue around female identity.
• The Change Maker Award: Indira Melela Lubambo (Gugulethu) — Founder of Melela4Children, an organisation expanding early childhood interventions, safe spaces, and educational opportunities in informal settlements.
• The Sporting Champion Award: Nuraan Osman (Lansdowne) — A grassroots football mentor who harnesses sports development to redirect youth away from gang violence and substance abuse toward structured athletic discipline.
• The Rising Warrior Award: Mekylin Engelbrecht (Cape Town) — An emerging young author, speaker, and mental health advocate empowering youth through self-love literature and emotional wellness campaigns.
• The Education Champion Award: Zaironesa Karriem (Bonteheuwel) — A pioneering educator introducing inner-city learners to marine science, environmental conservation, and local cultural heritage.
• The Job Creator Award: Raisa Fisher (Rondebosch) — Founder of I AM — A Creative Agency, which mentors emerging creative professionals and entrepreneurs to build viable, commercial careers.