Amanda Dambuza returns as judge for the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award in Johannesburg

Renowned South African business leader Amanda Dambuza returns as a judge for the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, taking place on 16 July in Johannesburg. Known for her fearless approach to leadership, Dambuza believes boldness is not just about business achievements — it’s about women who lead with purpose, break boundaries, and create lasting impact in their industries.

Dambuza is the founder and CEO of Uyandiswa, a leading project management consultancy serving both public and private sector clients. Her extensive career includes senior leadership roles at South Africa’s top financial institutions, including her tenure as CIO at Barclays Africa. In addition to serving on multiple corporate boards, she is also the founder of Vastly Sage, a mentorship platform launched in 2020 to empower and support women in business.

How do you envision the role of women in traditionally male-dominated industries evolving in the next five years?

In the next five years, women will transform male-dominated industries not by adapting to outdated norms, but by rewriting the rules of power itself. No longer confined to being the “first” or the “only,” female leaders will redefine success on their own terms. They will merge technical brilliance with unapologetic authenticity, turn emotional intelligence into a strategic advantage, and build ecosystems where diversity fuels innovation. Industries like tech, finance, and manufacturing won’t just include women; they will be reshaped by them, proving that the future belongs to those who lead with bold vision, not just tradition. The era of waiting for a seat at the table is over. Women aren’t just joining the game – they are changing it.

What specific qualities do you look for in this year’s candidates that demonstrate true boldness in business?

This year, I seek candidates who embody boldness beyond the expected, Leaders whose actions redefine what’s possible in business. I am looking for: 

• Courage to disrupt, not just compete: Those who challenge industry norms with groundbreaking ideas (like scaling a niche startup into a category leader or turning a social mission into profit). 
• Resilience with purpose: Women who’ve turned setbacks into systemic change – whether pivoting a failing venture or publicly advocating for policy shifts. 
• Unconventional influence: Leaders who amplify their impact by lifting others (mentoring underrepresented talent, sharing power, or creating platforms for collective growth). 
• Authenticity as strategy: Those who lead with vulnerability – owning their unique style, flaws, and humour – to prove leadership isn’t about perfection, but conviction. 

True boldness isn’t a title – it’s the audacity to leave a mark only you can make.

How do you think women-led businesses can break through barriers when facing limited access to funding and mentorship?

Women entrepreneurs can conquer funding and mentorship gaps with these power moves:

• Forming powerful female funding networks
• Crowdfund first to prove market demand and bypass gatekeepers;
• Build “sponsor” relationships with allies who open doors, not just give advice;
• Form peer advisory boards to share insider knowledge; and
• Weaponise data – flaunt the 2.5x higher ROI of women-led ventures (BCG) in every pitch.

You’ve been a mentor to many women entrepreneurs. What advice do you give them when they feel isolated or lack confidence in their journey?

Every entrepreneur faces moments of doubt, but what sets bold leaders apart is their ability to turn isolation into power. Build a close-knit tribe for honest support, document the invisible wins to counter imposter syndrome, and teach others to cement your own expertise. Your toughest days often come just before your biggest leaps. Keep your ‘why’ in plain sight and remember: you’re not just building a business — you’re proving what’s possible.

Confidence follows competence. Take calculated risks — like pitching imperfect ideas or negotiating firmly — even before you feel fully ready. Growth comes through action. Make sure you’re also consuming content from leaders who share their challenges transparently (e.g. failures before success). Replace comparison with intentional learning.

How can the Bold Woman Award further contribute to the empowerment and advancement of female entrepreneurs globally?

The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award can amplify its global impact by transforming winners into catalysts for change – spotlighting diverse role models, creating a year-round ecosystem for mentorship and funding, and partnering with investors to dismantle bias. By equipping women with practical tools – such as pitch templates and resilience frameworks – and tracking their ripple effects (e.g. policies influenced, jobs created), the award can show that bold leadership isn’t just celebrated – it’s scaled. This isn’t merely recognition; it’s a movement to redefine power.