On Thursday, 20 August 2026, the FirstRand Foundation, hosted a landmark Women’s Month event and art exhibition at Art&About, Merchant Place in Sandton. Centred on the national Women’s Month theme ‘Building Resilient Economies for All’, the event brought together thought leaders, cultural figures, and champions of social development to celebrate the enduring impact of women as key architects of South Africa’s economic and cultural future.
The eclectic gathering showcased a specially curated selection of works by pioneering South African women artists from the prestigious FirstRand Art Collection. Through visual art, the exhibition provided a dynamic platform for dialogue on resilience, leadership, and systemic empowerment.
“Progress is strongest when opportunity is shared. True economic and social empowerment naturally expands outward; when we unlock potential for women, that milestone serves as a foundation for broader community upliftment,” said Kone Gugushe, Head of Social Investing at FirstRand Group. “By bringing together visual storytelling from the FirstRand Art Collection with our commitment to social investment, we celebrate women who continue to challenge systemic barriers, create sustainable pathways, and drive inclusive growth across South Africa.”
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The event highlighted the FirstRand Foundations’ strategic commitment to addressing structural inequality in the creative economy by championing heritage-led craft, skills transfer, and enterprise development that turn traditional craftsmanship into sustainable businesses.
Through strategic social investments, the FirstRand Foundations continue to build capacity across the broad ecosystem of change-makers driving South Africa’s growth story forward. By blending art, dialogue, and targeted development funding, the Foundations demonstrate that investing in female leadership creates a powerful ripple effect that transforms families, communities, and future generations.
