Earthchild Project is thrilled to share that our Founding Director, Janna Kretzmar, has been named the 2022 Santam Women of the Future Social Entrepreneur – in association with FAIRLADY and TRUELOVE Magazines. This prestigious achievement is awarded to an entrepreneur who is making a real difference in her community – a well-deserved title considering the years of dedicated hard work that Janna has put into nurturing a team who strives to create lasting change in the lives of our children in Khayelitsha and Lavender Hill. 

The exclusive awards event which was emceed by South African model, public speaker and businesswoman, Jo-Ann Strauss, was held on Friday 14 October 2022 at The Venue Green Park in Morningside. Guests in attendance at the luncheon included businesswomen and media personalities such as Miss South Africa 2022 Ndavi Nokeri, Johanna Makgalemele, Uyanda Mbuli, Sonia Booth, Jena Dover, Catherine Constantinides, Miss Earth SA 2022 Ziphozethu Sithebe, investment specialist Anthea Gardner and TV and radio personality, Zuraida Jardine. 

The three winners were selected from a shortlist of nine finalists by a distinguished panel of judges: Professor Thuli Madonsela, Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University and founder of the Social Justice M-Plan and Thuma Foundation; Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers South Africa; Dawn Nathan-Jones, entrepreneur and CEO of Over the Rainbow; Enid Lizamore, Executive Head of Human Resources at Santam; Suzy Brokensha, FAIRLADY editor-in-chief; and TRUELOVE editor-in-chief Makhosazana ‘Khosi’ Zwane-Siguqa.

Winners in the other categories include;

• Monalisa Sibongile Zwambila of The Riverbed Agency who was named the 2022 Santam Woman of the Future.
• Amahle Ntshinga of Luntu who was named the 2022 Santam Rising Star.
• Zanele Ngcobo of BNK Solar who was named the 2022 Santam Readers’ Choice.

Santam’s many years of supporting women in business in South Africa have given the company valuable insight into the potential pitfalls of the entrepreneurial journey. Santam understands that the first 1 000 days of running a business are the hardest – if you’re still in business by day 1 001, they believe you’re in it for the long haul! 

Janna founded Earthchild Project in 2007 with the dream of nurturing a new generation of conscious and empowered young leaders. She continues to lead our team with integrity and passion and we are so very proud of her and the difference that she makes in our communities.

Janna said, “I have been overwhelmed by the influx of messages and positivity that have come with winning this award!  After 16 years of giving my all to Earthchild Project, it has been incredibly meaningful to be recognised in this way.  Not only for myself, but for my amazing team, our beneficiaries and supporters, this award has been so affirming.  A massive thank you to Santam and the panel of judges!”

Winning the Santam Social Entrepreneur Award will allow Earthchild Project to continue to expand our reach, and we are excited to explore how we can grow from this achievement. Earthchild Project shares congratulations with the other deserving winners. Read more about Janna and the other winners and their businesses in the latest issue of FAIRLADY magazine, on sale from Friday, 21 October 2022.