Spearheaded by The Morning Show with Leigh-Anne Williams, the awards are now in its third year of identifying and honouring remarkable women who fight hunger, support vulnerable communities, build businesses, champion education, improve health and wellness, strengthen neighbourhoods, inspire through sport, uplift culture through creativity and empower the next generation of rising bright stars, says the station.
Aside from on-air showcases of their endeavours, recognition and a uniquely crafted Warrior Woman Awards trophy, this year's finalists will also stand the chance to win their share of R20 000's worth of Canal Walk shopping vouchers.
According to the station, the categories for 2026 are:
The Hunger Fighter Award
A woman who is making a real difference in the fight against hunger and food insecurity. She may be helping families access nutritious food, running feeding programmes or creating long-term solutions to food insecurity. Examples include community kitchens, feeding schemes, school meals, food parcels, food rescue and sustainable food-security projects.
The Community Care Award
A woman whose work supports people through difficult circumstances and helps them live safer, healthier and more secure lives. She may work directly with families, children, vulnerable people or communities facing hardship. Examples include social workers, counsellors, community workers, shelter leaders, family-support programmes and grassroots organisations.
The Job Creator Award
A woman who has built a successful business or enterprise that creates opportunities for others. It celebrates entrepreneurs who use their success to create jobs, develop skills, support livelihoods or open doors to economic opportunity. Examples include employment creation, skills development, small-business growth and enterprises that strengthen local livelihoods.
The Education Champion Award
A woman who is changing lives by helping people learn, develop skills and reach their potential. Her impact may be in schools, early childhood development, literacy, vocational training or youth programmes. Examples include teachers, principals, tutors, ECD practitioners, literacy advocates, skills trainers, bursary programmes and after-school initiatives.
The Wellness Warrior Award
A woman who is improving the health and wellbeing of others through healthcare, mental-health support, health education or improving access to care. Examples include doctors, nurses, community health workers, mental-health professionals, maternal-health advocates and health-access initiatives.
The Community Builder Award
A woman who brings people together and takes action to make her community a better place. She may be leading local projects, improving safety, creating better public spaces, mobilising residents or developing community resources. Examples include neighbourhood development, community safety, resident mobilisation, civic programmes and projects that strengthen local communities.
The Change-Maker Award
A woman whose achievements, leadership or personal journey are helping to change perceptions of what women can achieve. She is breaking barriers, challenging expectations or creating opportunities for other women. Examples include women making their mark in science, technology, engineering, business, skilled trades, aviation, hospitality, media, the arts and other traditionally challenging fields.
The Rising Warrior Award
A young woman aged 18 to 30 who is already making a meaningful difference and showing the leadership and potential to achieve even more. She may be making an impact through her studies, career, business, community work, advocacy or an initiative she has started herself.
The Sporting Champion Award
A woman whose work in sport goes beyond personal achievement. She may be inspiring others, developing young talent, creating access to sport, mentoring others or using sport to bring positive change to her community. Examples include athletes, coaches, mentors, administrators, officials and community sports leaders.
The Creative Impact Award
A woman whose creative work has an impact beyond her own success. She may be contributing to culture, telling important stories, creating opportunities for others, preserving heritage or giving people a voice through her art. Examples include music, theatre, dance, film, television, literature, visual arts, photography, fashion, design, craft and cultural preservation.
Entries for the 2026 Warrior Woman Awards are officially open and will close on Wednesday, 16 September, after which three finalists will be selected in each category. Voting will take place via WhatsApp, and the winners will be announced on Saturday, 31 October, during a grand finale live broadcast, says the station.
Masi Mdingane, Business Manager for 5FM and Good Hope FM, concludes, "In Women's Month we celebrated the women who made us. Now we shift gears into honouring the women who move Mzansi forward and elevate it to new heights. The Warrior Woman Awards recognise the women who learn, grow, care, build, innovate, achieve and uplift others in various spheres of society. Women are the original heroes and Cape Town's Original is proud to celebrate them loudly and passionately."
For more information, visit www.goodhopefm.co.za. You can also follow Good Hope FM on Facebook, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.
*Image courtesy of contributor