Panache and Trade Route Mall held the 6th Annual Internationally Accredited WoW Women of Wonder Awards on the 28th November at the classy and eloquent Imperial Longroom at the Wanderers whereby 65 Women of Wonder as well as Visionary Women of Wonder were awarded in true Panache Splendour.
The event which “normally “hosts up to 1000 guests, this year Sold Out 3 weeks prior to the event as limited seating of only 250 guests were allowed as per COVID-19 requirements. Guests attending had to all, as per guidelines set forth by the ever efficient team of Panache sign disclaimers pertaining to COVID-19,the adherence to regulations thereof and Temperature Checks as well as regular sanitizing was done within the venue. Each recipient before taking the mic had to sanitize as well before coming on stage to collect her award.
CEO and Founder of this now fast becoming Global Brand, Farzana Mayet who also effectively heads up and is the Founder of Men of Valour Awards, Co-Founder of Hearts of Humanity Awards, Director of WIOE as well as Board of Director of South African International Film Awards and EWR cited that the health and wellbeing of our most valued recipients and their families are of imperative importance and paramount measures were put forth to ensure that guests attending had a great and relaxed evening.
The evenings MC was the renowned Global Changemaker Catherine Constantinides who was effervescent and incredibly Convivial and kept guests entertained.
Guests and recipients alike were treated to a 7-course dinner with extremely royal and regal decor as is the Standard of Panache International.
Desi Motion provided Electrifying Entertainment throughout the evening with Fire Dances, Hollywood and the latest trending Bollywood dances and had also taken guests on a nostalgic turn with the moves of Jerusalema which was highly trending as a Proudly South African track all over the world during the severe lockdown regulations.
Sponsor since inception, Yaseen Valli of Trade Route Mall proudly stated that from a venue where the Women of Wonder began and was previously held in Lenasia years ago, this is now fast becoming “THE” most sought after awards in South Africa and stated that aside from the Oscar’s this is the only Awards that are being held in several countries around the World amongst them being Dubai, Mauritius, and soon to be Qatar, UK, India and Farzana Mayet therein cited that Bahrain had also confirmed to be host to the Women of Wonder Awards from 2021.
Each Recipient walked away with Prizes to the value of over R19000 as Women of Wonder Institute of Excellence had given training vouchers to each recipient.
Camelot Spa gave each recipient a voucher for an exclusive spa treatment. UniqBrows by Unaiza gave each recipient a voucher to do any treatment within their stores. Kalahari Lifestyle graciously handed each recipient a gift pack from their “exclusive range” on the evening.
The theme of the event was “I CONQUER” which also collaborated with the 16 Days of Activism which each recipient strongly sent out messages and their thoughts on Gender-Based Violence and how they have conquered during and despite COVID-19.
Seema Naidoo highlighted that the pandemic has not only affected the economy but has also created a breeding ground for criminals. Criminals are using the pandemic to exploit the most vulnerable for profit. The surge in GVB cases and child abuse since the beginning of lockdown was an eye opener for world leaders and prominent people. Seema strongly believes that less talk and more stringent actions to be taken to end GVB and Child Abuse. While people are trying to navigate through the pandemic rocked world, combatting Human Trafficking, Gender-Based Violence and Child abuse should remain the primary focus for Global State Leaders, Justice System, Civil Society, and the public at large. Hope to Heal Foundation needs an army of support, “the entire nation” to join forces to end Human Trafficking, Gender-Based Violence and Child Abuse.
Dr Mohamed Moosajee, Former Manager of the South African Cricket Team commended Panache and the team for the professional manner in which the awards event was conducted as well as highlighted the importance of Women in our Society, their pivotal role as well as how instrumental it is to speak out against violence against women and children.
Dharshana Naidoo speaker of the evening as well, highlighted the constant challenges faced by women on a daily basis and how imperative it is to ensure the education of Women and the Pay It Forward role by the WoW Institute of Excellence which doesn’t only equip women with tools to assist themselves tremendously, but also in turn allows them to pay it forward and assist other women do the same.
Speakers and Sponsors were gifted an exclusive hamper by Saxon Hotel and Spas.
The great success of the 6th Annual Women of Wonder Awards which is still highly trending on social media can only be attributed to the amazing contributions of our magnanimous sponsors. #anotherpanachespectacular is synonymous with our brand at our every signature event could have only been possible because of our sponsor.
The WOW Awards heads to Cape Town next where the awards will be conducted at the grand Tuscany Gardens on the 8th December 2020.