SAWA 10th Anniversary Gala and Awards

The South African Women’s Alliance (SAWA) has promoted South African tourism, arts and culture through the film, fashion, and music industries. This year’s gala will feature the Ndlovu Youth Choir who gained world fame when they appeared as finalists on America’s Got Talent in 2019.

Featured speakers at this year’s gala include Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, South African businesswoman and Talk-show host; Ayanda Dlodlo, Executive Director-World Bank and Former South African Minister of State Security; Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Film Producer and daughter of Archbishop of Desmond Tutu.

The annual GALA awards are organized to honor the incredible women who have made significant contributions to the community and served as role models. These women inspire the community with their enduring contributions. At this year’s Annual Gala, SAWA is proud to honor Connie Chiume, Actress and Filmmaker; Billye Aaron, Television Host; and Louis Gosset Jr., Actor.

Host/ Speakers at the SAWA GALA 2023

Felicia Mabuza-Suttle (Host)
Business Woman & Talk Show Host

Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, is an international award-winning entrepreneur, an inspirational speaker,
an author, and a philanthropist. She is President and co-owner of Leadership Success International, LLC, an organization that specializes in executive leadership training and business communications. Mabuza-Suttle is an Advisory Board Member of Shared Interest in New York. The South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) also named her among the “100 Great South Africans.”

Ayanda Dlodlo (Speaker)
Executive Director-World Bank and Former South African Minister of State Security.

Ayanda Dlodlo is a South African politician and former cabinet minister. A former member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, she became a Member of Parliament for the African National Congress (ANC) in 2009. Thereafter, she was appointed Minister of Communications (2017), Minister of Home Affairs (2017–2018), Minister of Public Service and Administration (2018–2019, 2021–2022), and Minister of State Security (2019–2021). In April 2022, she resigned from government to take up a directorship at the World Bank.

Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu (Speaker) Film producer and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Daughter

The Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu knew from early in life that the one thing she would never be is a priest. She has always said, “I have my father’s nose, I do not want his job” However, after years spent as a development consultant, educator and race and gender activist she accepted her call to ordained ministry. She is an Episcopal priest who most recently was Associate Rector at All Saints, Beverly Hills.

Honorees of the GALA Awards

Connie Chiume (Legend Award Recipient)
Actress and Film Maker

Connie Chiume is a world renowned award winning actress, motivational speaker, programme director, presenter, mother and grandmother. She has become an icon in both the international and South African film industry with features on blockbuster movies such as Black Panther and Beyoncé’s film “Black Is King”

Billye Aaron (Impact Award Recipient)
American Television Host Award

Billye Aaron is an American television host who is notable as the first African-American woman in the southeastern United States to regularly co-host a television show, starting with her debut on “Today in Georgia”, in 1968. Billye went on to host her own show, ‘Billye’. Co-founder of Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation. Founder of UNCF Masked Ball

Louis Gossett Jr. (Proclamation Award Recipient)
American Actor​

Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. is an American actor best known for his role in An Officer and a Gentleman.. Born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, he had his stage debut at the age of 17, in a school production of You Can’t Take It with You. Shortly after he successfully auditioned for the Broadway play Take a Giant Step. Gossett would go on acting on stage. He was the first African-American male to win an Oscar in a supporting role; the second black male to win for acting; and, the third African- American actor to win overall. Gossett also appeared in films such as The Principal, The Deep and Jaws 3-D, in a film career that spans over five decades.

The event will also pay tribute to one of the world’s dedicated human rights champions, the late Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu.