Anetta Barnes-Mangxaba, recipient of the 2026 SACBW Entrepreneur of the Year – Rising Star Award, pictured alongside SACBW Cape Winelands leader, Razine Adams, the Provincial Leader, Erika Le Roux and committee members.
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A Rising Star for Community Media: Anetta Barnes-Mangxaba Claims SACBW Award

4 days Anetta Mangxaba 322 Views

Dizindaba Media CEO and Publisher recognised for her entrepreneurial journey and commitment to giving communities a voice in their own language

24 October 2026 | Mossel Bay| Dizindaba Staff Reporter

“I dedicate this Award to my team, Ahh!!! Dizindaba!!!, said Anetta.”

Anetta Barnes-Mangxaba, CEO and Publisher of Dizindaba Media (Pty) Ltd, has won the prestigious SACBW Entrepreneur of the Year – Rising Star Award, receiving the Hanlie Delport Floating Trophy at the South African Council of Business Women (SACBW) Recognition Awards held at the Diaz Hotel in Mossel Bay on Saturday, 24 October 2026.

Based in Paarl in the Western Cape, Barnes-Mangxaba is the publisher of Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa, a community newspaper committed to bringing news and information to readers in their own language.

For Barnes-Mangxaba and her team, the achievement represents more than personal recognition. At the heart of their work is a commitment to ensuring that communities are heard, their stories are told and their voices are represented in the media.

Through Dizindaba, the team continues to serve communities by providing a platform for local stories, community concerns and issues that matter to ordinary people.

The award recognises Barnes-Mangxaba’s entrepreneurial journey and strengthens the visibility of community media as an important part of the local media landscape.

Western Cape women also recognised

Celeste Klem, owner of Hotel Du Vin and runner-up in the 2026 Businesswoman of the Year category the former winner of the Rising Star Award.

The Western Cape celebrated further achievements at the awards. Celeste Klem of Hotel Du Vin in Franschhoek, a fellow member of the SACBW Cape Winelands branch, was named runner-up in the SACBW Business Woman of the Year category.

The SACBW Cape Winelands branch under the leadership of Razine Adams, also received runner-up recognition in the Branch of the Year category.

Pictured from left to right: Celeste Klem, owner of Hotel Du Vin and runner-up in the 2026 Businesswoman of the Year category; Esme Albertus of Absolut Security Garden Route, the 2026 National Businesswoman of the Year; Erika Le Roux, Western Cape Provincial Leader; Yonela Mneno, owner of Ndiyazazi and a representative of the Malmesbury branch, who won the 2026 Social Entrepreneur of the Year award; and Anetta Barnes-Mangxaba, recipient of the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year – Rising Star Award.

Yonela Mneno, owner of Ndiyazazi and a member of the SACBW Malmesbury branch, won the SACBW Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, receiving the Hester Du Bruyn Floating Trophy.

A message of strength and collaboration

The evening brought together SACBW members, finalists, guests and local leaders, including Mayor Dirk Kotzé, Alderlady Venolea Fortuin and Portfolio Chairperson for Infrastructure Services Anton Dellemijn.

Delivering the keynote address, Alderlady Fortuin opened with Philippians 1:6 and emphasised that being first should never mean being the only one. She encouraged women in business to measure their influence by how many others they help to rise.

She called for purposeful collaboration, meaningful partnerships and greater support among women entrepreneurs. Drawing on Proverbs 31:25, she concluded by highlighting strength and honour as qualities for women to uphold in their business and personal journeys.

SACBW President Dr Ziva Spanenberg also expressed pride in the finalists, acknowledging the dedication, innovation and resilience reflected in their entries. She noted the difficulty faced by the judging panel, given the inspiring achievements of women building businesses under different circumstances, including with limited resources.

The awards celebrated the achievements of women entrepreneurs whose work creates opportunities, inspires others and contributes positively to their communities.

For Barnes-Mangxaba, the recognition is an important milestone in a journey centred on community, language and the belief that people deserve to see and hear their own stories reflected in the media.

As Dizindaba Media continues its work, the purpose remains clear: to serve communities, strengthen local voices and ensure that isiXhosa-speaking readers have access to news and information in their own language.