Momentum redefines financial success for women at She Owns Her Success event

This week, I was fortunate to be invited by Momentum to attend their She Owns Her Success campaign event at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Sandton. This year’s theme is “Success Has a Number,” which encourages women to define, grow, protect and ultimately achieve the financial goals that matter most to them. 

The campaign is informed by Momentum and Kantar’s 2025 The Success Women Want Report, which surveyed 2 000 South African women aged 18 and older. The research found that women define success far beyond wealth alone, with financial independence, health, education, career progression, relationships and personal fulfilment all playing equally important roles. 

Qhawekazi Mdikane, Head of Brand, Momentum, says the campaign is about helping women transform ambition into action. “Success means something different to every woman, but one thing remains true: when you can define it, you can start building towards it. Whether it’s saving for your first home, growing a business, preparing for retirement or becoming financially independent, every goal has a number behind it.” 

The insightful event saw powerful women talk about their life experiences and impart some invaluable advice. The panel included Jeanette Marais , CEO of Momentum Group, Rapelang Rabana, computer scientist, entrepreneur and keynote speaker, Dr Vumile Msweli, executive coach, leadership strategist, keynote speaker and entrepreneur, renowned for her work in women’s empowerment across Africa, Jo-Ann Strauss, prominent South African model, businesswoman, international TV host, and the winner of Miss South Africa 2000. 

Some of the profound quotes and advice for women that came out of the event included: 

“Work in silence and let your success make the noise.”  

“Time is more valuable than money. You can always earn more money, but you can never earn more time.”  

“Delayed gratification is one of the greatest lessons you can learn. The life you want tomorrow is built by the choices you make today.”  

“You can’t hate yourself into becoming a version of yourself that you love.”  

“I don’t want to be the only woman. I want to be one of many.”  

“Create a life built on experiences, not titles or numbers. The destination matters, but so does the joy of the journey.” 

“Success is freedom – the freedom to be who I am authentically, to make an impact, and to choose the life and legacy I want to create.”  

“I wanted people to say, ‘Of course she got the job.’ Never, ‘She got it because they needed a woman.'”  

“You are your greatest unique competitive advantage. Don’t spend your life trying to sound like everyone else – put your own voice on the table.”  

“Strong women don’t compete for space. They create space for others.”  

“If you are the most successful person in your group of friends, you need a new circle – surround yourself with people who call you to the highest version of yourself.”  

“Financial freedom isn’t selfish. It gives you the power to change your family, your community and the lives of the people around you.” 

The evening concluded with the audience being invited onto the outside deck, to view the Momentum sign on a nearby building. To celebrate the month, the M in Momentum has been flipped, so that it fittingly now reads Womentum.  

Momentum will also host their third annual Women Who Make Moves in Sports Summit during August, placing women athletes’ financial wellbeing, commercial opportunities and career sustainability alongside conversations about sporting excellence. The event will explore how success in sport extends beyond medals to include financial security, sponsorship opportunities, career longevity and life after competition. Momentum will conclude the campaign with its flagship Momentum She Owns Her Success event on 15 August, bringing together women and allies to explore the financial realities behind ambition, resilience and long-term prosperity. Details of the speakers, venue and attendance process still to be announced.