Criselda Kananda leads the charge as ambassador for the Tribute To Women concert

Broadcaster, global health advocate, and social entrepreneur Dr. Criselda Kananda has been appointed Ambassador of the Tribute To Women concert and Chairperson of the Malibongwe Arts Festival Foundation.

The Tribute To Women concert, long known for its soulful homage to feminine excellence, has entered a bold new chapter, one underscored by vision, resilience, and transformative purpose.  

For years, Dr. Kananda has dedicated her life to building platforms for women’s advancement across various sectors, including health, education, media, leadership, and beyond. 

Her lived experience as a health and wellness champion, including over a decade on South African airwaves simplifying health for the masses, makes her a fitting steward for a festival that exists to celebrate and empower.

In conversation with IOL, Kananda shared plans to expand the concert's impact beyond the event through year-round workshops on financial management and mental health for artists, extending to rural villages to discover and empower women.

“I love the fact that what is infused this time around with my involvement is that we're not just going to celebrate and have fun on August 24. 

“We're putting together workshops that empower women, and we're going to do storytelling. We're going to empower artists in areas ranging from financial management to mental health because that is an area of our society that is often neglected."

Kananda shared that the initiatives will reach deep into rural villages to discover and celebrate women with creative genius, ensuring that empowerment is not limited to urban areas.  

The Malibongwe Arts Festival Foundation's commitment to creating lasting legacies for women in the creative sector.

Kananda detailed that the workshops are aimed at educating artists and DJs about royalties and needle time, emphasizing the business aspect of entertainment to prevent artists from facing financial struggles later in their careers.

“We need to empower artists on how to look after their brands, how to look after their money, and how to have a lasting legacy and lasting impression,” said Kananda.

Kananda shared a vision for fostering women leaders by showcasing multiple positive characteristics from various influential women rather than relying on single role models. 

She emphasized the importance of challenging societal perceptions that confine women to traditional roles and promoting self-love and wisdom-seeking among young women. “I'm hoping that through these partnerships, as we showcase and build this longevity, we begin to showcase a quality of a human being.”

For years, Kananda has dedicated her life to building platforms for women’s advancement across various sectors, including health, education, media, leadership, and beyond. 

She is a strong advocate for diabetes awareness, aiming to change the public perception by renaming it from "sugar disease" to emphasize its dangers. 

Her lived experience as a health and wellness champion, including over a decade on South African airwaves simplifying health for the masses, makes her a fitting steward for a festival that exists to celebrate and empower. 

She holds an executive role at 360 Global Solutions, an investment company owned by NUMSA. She does work in advocating for the recognition of traditional African medicines and the development of South African-based vaccines. 

Kananda is committed to living a life of purpose, with her goal being to be a symbol of hope and to bring value through their various endeavors.

The Tribute to Women concert takes place at Marks Park in Emmarentia on August 26. Makhadzi, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mi Casa, The Soil, Lloyiso, Ami Faku, and Makhadzi.

IOL Entertainment