A Westgate woman who has been transforming lives through fashion and sewing skills has been crowned the winner of the Business and Entrepreneurship category at the prestigious Good Hope FM Warrior Woman Awards.
Suraya Williams, founder of the Design26 Foundation, was recognised at last Friday night’s glittering ceremony at Newlands Cricket Ground for her work empowering women in underserved communities across Cape Town.
This is the second award Williams has won in the last two months. Last month she won the 2025 IWISA No 1 Community Champions Competition.
Skills training
The Design26 Foundation teaches sewing and fashion skills to women who need economic opportunities, helping them build sustainable livelihoods while promoting environmentally-friendly fashion practices.
Williams’ foundation focuses on turning creativity into opportunity, giving women the tools they need to become financially independent through skill-building programmes.
The awards ceremony was the grand finale of the two-day WomenIN Festival, themed “LIMITLESS. No Labels. No Limits. No Apologies”, which celebrated female excellence across multiple sectors.
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“Each of these women’s stories is a living testament to the power of beautiful hearts, brave souls and unwavering commitment to changing the Mother City, its broader communities and our nation for the better,” said Masi Mdingane, business manager for Good Hope FM.
Williams was selected from three finalists in the Business and Entrepreneurship category, which recognises women whose entrepreneurial spirit and innovation have significantly contributed to business success while positively impacting their communities.
Her work addresses both economic empowerment and sustainability challenges, creating pathways for women to enter the fashion industry while promoting environmentally conscious practices.
The Design26 Foundation’s impact extends beyond individual training, fostering a culture of independence and self-reliance among participants who can then pass on their skills to others in their communities.
Warrior woman’s wins
Williams received a cash prize courtesy of First National Bank and WomenIN, along with a limited-edition Warrior Woman 2025 chain and a specially designed award.
The Warrior Woman Awards honour women across 10 categories who lead, heal, build, teach, create and inspire in communities across the Western Cape and beyond.
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