I am the Founder and Head Furniture Maker of Saunter Fine Furniture, a bespoke furniture business built on craftsmanship, creativity, and a commitment to quality. Building and running my own business has taught me the value of discipline, adaptability, problem-solving, and taking ownership of every aspect of a project. I am a passionate and determined individual who believes that anything worth doing should be pursued to the fullest of one’s ability. I hold myself to high standards and am constantly looking for ways to improve, learn, and challenge myself. I believe genuine passion is fundamental to producing exceptional work; whatever I pursue, I make a conscious effort to love what I do and use that passion as a driving force behind the quality of my work. As I continue developing as an entrepreneur, I am also looking to further my studies in strategy, research, and analysis, with the intention of building a career in these fields. I am particularly interested in developing my ability to understand complex problems, identify opportunities, think critically, and make well-informed strategic decisions. My goal is to combine the practical experience I have gained through entrepreneurship with strong analytical and strategic capabilities.

I am a Proffesional runner and serial entrepreneur balancing business and professional sports. Founder of the social runners club, we have now grown to 600 members and putting on Multiple mass participations races in Durban reaching 5000 participants

My name is Aren Pollack, and I am part of a new generation of South African chefs redefining what modern dining can look and feel like. My cooking is rooted in seasonality, preservation and simplicity, balancing refined technique with warmth, familiarity and a strong sense of place. At just twenty four years old, I have already built a strong culinary foundation, working in some of South Africa and Europe’s most demanding kitchens before becoming Head Chef of Embarc in Parkhurst, Johannesburg. During my time there, I helped shape the restaurant’s identity and was recognised with the 2026 Eat Out Rising Star Award, one of South Africa’s leading accolades for emerging culinary talent. In 2026, I stepped into an exciting new chapter, moving into the world of television as Head Judge on Taste Master Junior SA Season 3. The experience has allowed me to explore another side of my passion for food, mentorship and developing the next generation of young culinary talent. Alongside television, I have taken on my latest culinary role as Head Chef at Ridgeback Wine Estate in Paarl, where I am developing a new restaurant concept that reflects my evolving style and approach to food. It is an exciting opportunity to bring together my experience, creativity and love for South African produce.

I am a 32 year old father of 2. I grew up in Pretoria and moved to Joburg after Matric. I love giving back to the community and have been a Hatzolah volunteer responder for the last 9 years. I have a massive passion for the Bush and all things Nature. I studied an IT degree and went into the family business after that where I built their Takealot arm of the business into one of the biggest in the country. I was approached by Jesse Lemmer (a lifelong friend) to build a lodge in the Kruger, something that we are both extremely passionate about. And long story short, we did it. I am extremely grateful and fortunate to be doing what I love. 18 on the Hill is just the start, with many more lodge projects on the horizon.

I’m an entrepreneur with a strong passion for business, marketing, people and creating opportunities. One of the biggest projects I’m currently building is Ze Makom, a marketing agency focused on helping shopping centres grow their brands, connect with their tenants and become more involved in their communities. Through Ze Makom, I’ve been able to work with different shopping centres and turn ideas into real campaigns and opportunities. It has also allowed me to combine my entrepreneurial mindset with my growing interest in the property industry. Alongside Ze Makom, I co-founded Buyk it Fixed, a bicycle business which I now run independently outside of my working hours. Building the business from the ground up has taught me a huge amount about customer service, problem-solving, sales and what it takes to run a business. I currently work at Weinprop in property management, where I’m gaining hands-on experience across different shopping centres and getting closer to the tenants and businesses within them. This has given me a unique opportunity to see the property industry from the inside while using Ze Makom to explore how marketing can help strengthen the relationship between shopping centres, tenants and their communities. I’m still early in my journey, but I’m extremely ambitious about where I want to go. My goal is to build successful businesses, become one of the best in the property industry, create opportunities for others and make a positive impact through the businesses I build.

I am a Cape Town based entrepreneur, community volunteer and co-founder of Proper Living, a student accommodation business built around creating more than just a place for students to live. A central part of what we have built is a genuine sense of community, connection and belonging, creating environments where young people can build friendships, feel supported and make Cape Town feel like home. My commitment to community extends beyond my professional life. I have dedicated 10 years to volunteering through the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Auxiliary Service, where I currently serve as an Auxiliary Inspector. I have also spent many years volunteering in emergency medical services as a qualified paramedic, assisting people in moments when they need it most. These roles reflect my belief in being actively involved in my community and giving my time where I can make a meaningful difference. I am also a passionate golfer. While technically a hobby, it is something I take seriously, enjoying the competitive nature, discipline and constant pursuit of improvement. Across business, community service and sport, I am driven by a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to make a positive and lasting contribution to the communities around me.

I’m Chad Justin Nathan, better known online as @gingerwithagopro – a 33-year-old South African photographer, filmmaker, content creator and adventurer. Over the past decade, I’ve built a career around storytelling, travel and human connection. Having travelled to 64 countries, I use my platforms to share stories from around the world, encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones, explore, run, connect and experience life differently. Today, my community includes more than 215000 followers across all platforms with my content reaching an estimated 11 million people each month. What started as a passion for photography has grown into a global community of travellers, runners and storytellers. More importantly, I’ve always believed that having an audience comes with an opportunity to create meaningful change. Through Raising Hope, an initiative I founded in 2020, I’ve helped raise more than R1.7 million for individuals and causes in need. Whether through filmmaking, adventure, endurance sport or philanthropy, my goal remains the same: to tell meaningful stories, bring people together and use my platform to leave a positive, tangible impact.

Chelsea Selvan (b. 1997) is a Johannesburg-based, award winning contemporary artist and arts professional. She holds a BA Fine Arts, with distinction, from the University of the Witwatersrand and currently heads up the Marketing department for Latitudes Online and the RMB Latitudes Art Fair, the leading platform for contemporary art from Africa. Selvan was the winner of the prestigious Absa L’Atelier Award, which led to her debut solo exhibition and a growing exhibition record of 18 group exhibitions and seven art fairs across South Africa. In 2026, the award also enabled a two-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, where she developed a new body of work informed by the city’s architecture and cultural landscape. More recently, she was awarded the prestigious Ampersand Fellowship in New York, recognising the growing impact of her artistic practice. Selvan’s artistic practice spans painting, drawing, collage and printmaking to produce abstract, mixed-media works that take, as a conceptual point of departure, the ephemerality of place and memory, creating layered, dynamic, affect-laden compositions. For Selvan, history is a collage that plays out across shifting fields of colour, form, narrative, and relentless sentiment. Evident in all of her work is the quiet intelligence of the hands – allowing organic gesture to lead and find form – paired with a constant pursuit of meaning. Having long been preoccupied with architectural memory, as well as the intangibility of emotional memory, Selvan works with intuitive, fluid colour fields and incidental mark-making as a way of tentatively notating these unfixed forms and fugitive recollections. Alongside her studio practice, Selvan leads the editorial, marketing and communications department for Latitudes Online and the RMB Latitudes Art Fair. Her work spans digital marketing, editorial leadership, creative direction, partnerships, audience development and public engagement, shaping how one of Africa’s leading contemporary art platforms connects with audiences locally and internationally.

Nathan and David are two teenage brothers with an immense love for art, particularly painting. For almost five years, they have been developing their skills through one-on-one lessons with their art teacher, transforming their home into something resembling an art studio, with art supplies taking over every available space. For the brothers, art is more than a creative outlet—it is their happy place and a way to escape the medical routines that shape much of their daily lives. Living with complex chronic health conditions means they are connected to medical equipment around the clock, have limited mobility outside their home and spend much of their time managing treatments. Despite these challenges, Nathan and David refuse to let their circumstances define them. Their passion and dedication to painting have already led to four successful exhibitions, and countless commissions. Through their art, Nathan and David continue to express themselves, challenge expectations and discover just how far their creativity can take them.

I was born and raised in Johannesburg, a city whose energy and diversity would later become the driving inspiration behind my work. Growing up, I developed a deep passion for the people and planet around me — a value that has stayed with me ever since. I studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town before pursuing a Master’s degree in Advanced Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Imperial College London, building a technical foundation that would go on to shape my approach to craft distilling. I’m now the co-founder of Primal Spirits Distillery, where I’m channelling that scientific grounding into something more personal: a brand rooted in the spirit of the city. My mission is to build Primal Spirits into a global company — one that celebrates urban lifestyle and honours the cultures that shape who we are. For me, distilling isn’t just chemistry; it’s storytelling. I hope to build Primal into a vessel that helps shape and guide our communities and our planet, one bottle at a time.

I’m Gabi Onay – an entrepreneur, community builder, and professional chaos coordinator (provided my cortado with almond milk is readily available failing which I am simply the professional chaos). As the co-founder and co-owner of Picnic&Thrift, I’ve spent the last few years growing one of South Africa’s biggest thrift market communities, connecting over 30,000+ followers with thousands of loyal vendors and shoppers since 2019. My passion lies in creating spaces where small businesses don’t just survive, they thrive. I’m also the owner of Crybaby.Thrift, a creative brand focused on thrift clothing, upcycling, reselling, and custom apparel for both corporate and personal clients. Sustainability, creativity, and giving clothing a second life are at the heart of everything I do. I lead a team of 12 in the P&T space, and a team of 3 for Crybaby – youth development and employment opportunities is exceptionally important to my core values. I built my businesses while completing my degrees, and I’ve always believed that great ideas deserve a platform. Whether it’s mentoring young entrepreneurs, developing marketing strategies, planning large-scale events, or launching new ventures, I love turning ambitious ideas into reality. Strategy, branding, and community-building are my sweet spot. I believe the best businesses start by understanding people, because when you build with your customers in mind, everything else falls into place.

Gila is a Grade 11 pupil at Hirsch Lyons and a South African record-holding powerlifter, holding the national sub-junior records for bench press (90kg) and total (375kg). In March she defended her national title, winning the sub-junior division at the South African Powerlifting Championships. She has now been selected to represent South Africa in national colours at the IPF World Women’s Juniors and Sub-Juniors Classic Championships at Sun City.

I lead business development for Moore Johannesburg, a 300-person challenger firm to the traditional audit and accounting practices. I was hired into a first-of-its-kind role, with a mandate to grow the business organically across multiple divisions through networking, partnerships, and dealmaking. My skill is opening doors and originating opportunities that would not otherwise exist, and I build the relationships behind them to last. I returned to South Africa in 2022 after six years in the United States, where a rugby scholarship first took me and where I completed a Master’s in Finance summa cum laude and top of my class. Alongside finance, I’ve had a successful career in sport – Division 1 and All-American rugby in the United States, internationally capped for Lithuania, a junior gold medallist at the 2013 Maccabiah Games, and I still play semi-professionally for the Wanderers 1st XV. The thread through all of it is people, opportunity, and paying it forward. In addition to the above, I sit on the young professionals committee at Pine Street Shul, volunteer with Community Assisting Schools, an organisation my late mother co-founded, and I am involved in the Sir Percy Hunting Foundation at King Edward VII School.

Jarryd Zetner is an experienced commercial and business aviation pilot with a strong background in international flight operations. He currently serves as a Captain on the Dassault Falcon 900EX, where he is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft across a diverse range of international destinations. With over 3,100 hours of total flight experience, including more than 2,100 hours on jet aircraft , Jarryd has developed extensive experience operating in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States. His flying career has provided him with exposure to a wide variety of operational environments, requiring strong decision-making, adaptability and attention to detail. Jarryd holds dual professional flying licenses from the United States of America and South Africa as well as Flight Instructor and Test Pilot qualifications. Known for his professionalism, reliability and calm approach to complex theatres of operation, Jarryd is passionate about aviation and exposing opportunities in the industry that others can follow suit.

I am a passionate entrepreneur with a deep appreciation for business, tourism, and hospitality. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a belief that exceptional experiences are created by exceptional people. While I enjoy the strategic side of business and identifying opportunities for growth, my greatest passion lies in investing in people and helping them reach their full potential. At 18 On The Hill, my primary focus is building a culture where our team feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow both personally and professionally. I believe that when people are empowered with the right opportunities, encouragement, and leadership, they naturally deliver extraordinary service and create memorable guest experiences. We also consider it a privilege to give back to our community through 18 On The Hill. Supporting local organisations and initiatives that make a meaningful difference is something we value deeply, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be in a position where we can contribute to the growth and wellbeing of our community. The tourism and hospitality industries are built on genuine human connection, and I see every interaction as an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Whether welcoming guests, mentoring team members, or developing new business opportunities, I strive to lead with integrity, purpose, and a commitment to excellence. For me, success is never measured solely by financial results. It is measured by the people we develop, the relationships we build, and the positive legacy we leave behind. By placing people at the heart of every decision, I believe businesses can achieve sustainable growth while creating meaningful experiences for both employees and guests.

I am a South African amateur Jewish golfer and postgraduate student at the University of St Andrews. Over the past few years, I have combined academic excellence with competing at the highest levels of amateur and professional golf.

Kelsey Buchalter is a Nutrition Network Coach Practitioner (NNP), TEDx Speaker, Host of “The Human Theatre” Podcast, Sankofa Peer Recovery Coach, Singer-Songwriter and Actor. After navigating her way through severe Anorexia, Bulimia and Anxiety, she has become passionately outspoken about lifestyle interventions in the treatment and prevention of chronic dis-ease. Her biggest inspiration is the body’s innate ability to heal itself when put in the right environment to do so.

I have always been drawn to unusual challenges and finding creative ways to solve them. In high school, that meant becoming obsessed with Rubik’s Cubes and eventually breaking the South African speedcubing record. I went on to study Actuarial Science, achieving one of the top mathematics and Statistics results at university. Years later, a gap year reignited my fascination with Rubik’s Cubes, this time as an artistic medium. I began creating large scale artworks from hundreds of cubes, which are now exhibited in Cape Town galleries and held by private collectors. Along the way, I earned my commercial drone licence and moved into smart agriculture, using drones and AI to identify crop disease and automate pesticide spraying. This inspired me to complete a Master’s at Wits focused on drones, geospatial technology and AI. After working in actuarial and corporate roles, I founded my own software company. During my Master’s, I also became the number one ranked pickleball player in Africa. Outside of work, art and sport, one of my favourite places is Saunders’ Rocks Beach in Cape Town.

Myron Mer is a Director at Fluxmans Inc. and an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa, with approximately 12 years’ experience in business rescue, insolvency, commercial litigation, corporate recovery and criminal law. His practice focuses on complex and strategically demanding disputes. He has represented clients in complex, urgent and high-profile proceedings and is recognised for his strategic clarity, practical judgment and decisive, solutions-driven approach. Myron’s professional achievements include receiving both the Legal Category Award and the People’s Choice Award at the Forty Under 40 South Africa Awards. He was also named a winner of the Legal and Justice category at the 100 South African Shining Stars Awards and recognised as an INSOL Future Leader of South Africa. In 2026, Myron was selected as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in the Law and Justice category. His experience further includes involvement in Business Rescue Transactions which were awarded Rescue of the Year at the DealMakers Awards. In 2026, Myron was appointed as a Commissioner of the Small Claims Court. He values integrity, mentorship, collaboration and delivering commercially effective outcomes for his clients.

I’ve always been someone who loves creating, connecting people and turning ideas into something real. I’m the co Founder and CEO of Live Cut Media, where I get to bring my creativity and passion for storytelling into the work I do every day. I also run Navah’s Jewellery Boutique, a business that started from my love for jewellery and has given me another opportunity to build something of my own and connect with people in a completely different way. Outside of my businesses, a big part of my life is the Jewish community. I run youth events at The Base, creating spaces where young Jewish people can meet, connect, have fun and feel part of something. I’m constantly learning as I go, and I’m proud to be building businesses I care about while also giving back to my community. Being nominated for the Rising Star Jewish Achievers Award is an incredible honour, and I’m really grateful to be recognised alongside so many inspiring people.

I am Raphy Da Costa, 23, and for most of my life I have been an active part of the South African Jewish community, work that has culminated in my current role as Rosh Machaneh of Bnei Akiva for 2026. I matriculated from King David Linksfield High School in 2021 as Head Boy, rugby captain, and with seven distinctions, and I have completed three years of my Information and Electrical Engineering degree, having taken this past year off to serve as Rosh Machaneh. My Bnei Akiva journey began at age 10 as a Chanich, and every role I have held since, Rosh Avirah, Rosh Hadracha, and Rosh Kaveh, has built towards this position, including leading 100 teens on their Israel programme in 2025. I also volunteer at the DIJE, serve as a CSO Protector, and learn at the Mizrachi University Kollel. At the end of 2025 I lost my mother, Andy Da Costa, and I have chosen to carry her legacy of kindness and resilience forward by bringing more light into the world. Outside of this, I enjoy CrossFit, jiu jitsu, cycling, and running.

I’m Ruby but people call me Roo. a creative entrepreneur with a knack for turning ideas into experiences. As the co-founder of Picnic and Thrift, Student State and Guilt-Free Getaways, I’ve built a career around creativity, empathy and adaptability.

I’m Sasha Said, and for the past two years I’ve had the privilege of serving as the National Chairperson of the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS). SAUJS has been a huge part of my life, and being able to lead an organisation that gives Jewish students a voice, a community and a place to belong has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside incredible students and leaders across the country, advocate for Jewish student life, and help create spaces where young Jews can show up proudly and unapologetically as themselves. I’m incredibly honoured to be nominated for this award. While my name may be on the nomination, I see it as a recognition of the people and organisation behind so much of what I’ve been able to do. I’m accepting this nomination on behalf of SAUJS, the students, volunteers, alumni and leaders who continue to make it such a special organisation. I’m proud of what we’ve built, proud of the community we represent, and even more excited about the future of Jewish student leadership in South Africa.

Takara Lubner is a strategic partnerships and philanthropy professional who combines commercial insight with a longstanding commitment to social impact. Her experience spans global and local fundraising, family philanthropy, cross-sector partnerships, programme innovation, impact accountability, brand positioning and purpose-led business development and Next-Gen collaboration initiatives. She is the Founder and CEO of PhilanthroStrat and has held strategic partnerships and leadership roles across Afrika Tikkun, the Smile Foundation and the Lubner Family Foundation. Takara brings an international academic background and a multi-generational perspective on responsible giving, shaped by a deep belief in the power of philanthropy to create meaningful, sustainable and systemic change. Her approach is grounded in dignity, measurable impact, trust-based relationships and the belief that effective philanthropy requires both heart and strategy. Through her work, Takara is committed to connecting people, capital and purpose to build stronger organisations, unlock impactful partnerships and contribute to a more strategic and sustainable culture of giving in South Africa and beyond.

Tannah Levick is a proudly Jewish, Cape Town-based musical theatre performer, singer, and recording artist. Her stage credits include the We Will Rock You World Tour, Mamma Mia!, and Disney’s The Magic Box World Tour. She currently plays Rumpleteazer in the international touring production of Cats, whose ensemble was nominated for and won Best Performance by an Ensemble at the 61st Cape Town Theatre Awards. She also appears in the upcoming film Be Afraid, which tells a Jewish story. Alongside her stage career, she is a recording artist signed to David Gresham Records, whose debut EP Phases earned a SAMA nomination for Best Pop Album. She is also completing a BA in Strategic Brand Communication at Vega School of Brand Leadership and builds a following on Instagram and TikTok around her music and creative work.

Yakira Gischen is a full-time artist and founder of Painted by Yakira, a Johannesburg-based creative practice specialising in original artwork, watercolour portraiture, murals, illustration and art education. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2021, Yakira has built a diverse artistic career rooted in her passion for creativity, detail and storytelling. Yakira has recently made a name for herself through her watercolour portrait commissions, creating highly personal artworks that capture the individuality of her subjects. Teaching is an important part of Yakira’s practice. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge, skills and love of art with others, teaching children and adults through lessons and workshops. She strives to create supportive environments where students can explore artistic techniques, develop their skills and gain confidence in their creativity. Alongside teaching and commissions, Painted by Yakira undertakes murals, illustration and creative projects for private clients, schools, hospitals and charitable organisations. Yakira continues to grow her practice while making art accessible, personal and meaningful.

Yehuda Lazarus is the Co-Founder, Managing Partner and CEO of Heya Solutions South Africa, where he is driven by a clear mission: creating sustainable careers for South African talent and building local excellence for the global stage. His entrepreneurial journey began approximately eight years ago when he founded a sewing academy focused on skills development. He later launched YL Virtual Assistance and YL Remote, which merged with Heya. Today, he leads a growing, fully office-based team serving more than 25 international clients. During COVID-19, Yehuda founded Fingertips of Africa. Together with the One Moment Foundation, where he serves as a board member, these initiatives have helped provide more than 15 million meals while supporting skills development and employment opportunities across South Africa. Born and raised in Cape Town, Yehuda credits his family and faith with instilling in him a lifelong commitment to dignity, service and community. He is a devoted single father to his two adopted children and has also opened his home to two foster children. He considers fatherhood his greatest responsibility and proudest achievement.

I’m Zack Tobias, a 27-year-old mechanical engineer by day and DJ by night. While my career is built around precision and problem-solving, music is where I truly get to express myself. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of performing across the Jewish community, at corporate functions, charity events and celebrations of all kinds. For me, it’s never just about playing great music — it’s about reading the crowd, creating an atmosphere and making every moment feel special. What makes my performances unique is the live element I bring to my sets, combining DJing with my saxophone to create something different, elevate the energy and bring an unexpected dimension to the dance floor. Balancing a full-time engineering career with my passion for music takes hard work, commitment and plenty of energy, but that’s what drives me. I’m passionate about grabbing every opportunity that comes my way, whether big or small, and giving it everything I have. For me, every opportunity is a chance to grow, connect with people, make an impact and create moments that people will remember.

I am currently Head of Legal for the group of companies under the Consumer Division of Lesaka Technologies Proprietary Limited. I am specialised in advising private and listed companies in a number of industries relating to M&A, private equity, corporate restructures and general corporate commercial law. My experience includes advising clients in relation to various aspects of the South African Companies Act, 2008, due diligence investigations, corporate restructures and general South African corporate governance, drafting commercial agreements, including memoranda of incorporation, shareholders agreements, subscription agreements, sale of shares agreements, share repurchase agreements, asset for share agreements and restructure agreements as well as extensive advice on broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE). I also advised a diverse range of listed and unlisted companies in local and international markets. My experience in this regard includes advising clients on cross-border/multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, securities dealings, initial public offerings, listings (primary and secondary), domestic and international capital raisings and B-BBEE structuring, advisory and compliance. I am also skilled in dispute resolution and has experience in a number of litigation matters. I have been involved in cases in the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Labour Appeal Court and the Labour Court. I have acted for a number of clients in a variety of sectors, including in insurance, mining, procurement, pension funds, corporate and commercial and public and regulatory.