7th ANNUAL HIGH TEA 2026 Women of Integrity: Leading with Courage, Shaping the Future

Ilitha Labantu Annual High Tea 2026

Women of Integrity: Leading with Courage, Shaping the Future

Ilitha Labantu’s Annual High Tea celebrates exceptional women whose leadership reflects integrity, courage, compassion and service. The gathering provides a platform for meaningful conversations on ethical leadership, human rights, gender equality and social justice, while recognising women who continue to shape communities, institutions and the African continent.

Beyond celebrating women’s achievements, the Annual High Tea is an important fundraising initiative in support of Ilitha Labantu’s programmes for women and children affected by gender-based violence. Funds raised will help sustain critical services, including the Dorothy Zihlangu Transitional House, which provides women and children with emergency accommodation, psychosocial support, legal referrals, basic necessities and empowerment opportunities as they rebuild their lives after violence.

As we continue to honour the remarkable legacy of our late Founder, Ms Mandisa Monakali, this gathering reaffirms Ilitha Labantu’s commitment to creating safer communities, strengthening women’s leadership and inspiring future generations to lead with courage, compassion and integrity. Her belief that every woman, regardless of her background, should live safely and free from violence remains central to our work.

Featured Speakers

The 2026 Annual High Tea will bring together four distinguished women leaders whose work has contributed significantly to advancing justice, equality, women’s empowerment, ethical governance and human rights in South Africa and across the African continent.

Hon. Minister Dina Deliwe Pule

Minister of Social Development

Honourable Minister Dina Deliwe Pule is a respected South African political leader with extensive experience in public service, governance, education and community development. She began her professional career as a teacher and became actively involved in the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union, the ANC Women’s League and other structures advancing democracy and women’s participation.

Minister Pule has served in both provincial and national government, including as a Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, a Member of the Executive Council, Deputy Minister of Communications and Minister of Communications. She returned to the National Assembly following the 2024 general election and was appointed Minister of Social Development in June 2026. She also serves as Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC Women’s League.

Her leadership reflects a longstanding commitment to public service, social development and the advancement of women and vulnerable communities.

Mam Thoko Mpumlwana

Chairperson, South African Women in Dialogue Trust

Mam Thoko Mpumlwana is a respected national leader and advocate for women’s rights, education, democracy and social justice. She has dedicated her life to promoting ethical leadership, strengthening women’s participation and advancing dialogue across generations, communities and sectors.

Through her leadership within the South African Women in Dialogue Trust, she continues to create platforms through which women can influence national development, deepen social cohesion and contribute meaningfully to building a more just and equal society.

Ms Khanyisa Dunjwa

Chairperson, SANAC Women’s Sector

Ms Khanyisa Dunjwa is a respected gender and human rights activist whose work has contributed to advancing community development, women’s empowerment, HIV advocacy and social justice.

Through her leadership within civil society and the South African National AIDS Council Women’s Sector, she has helped elevate the experiences and priorities of women affected by inequality, gender-based violence, poverty and HIV. Her work reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that women’s voices remain central to national policy, advocacy and development processes.

Hon. Dr Litha Musyimi-Ogana

Commissioner, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Honourable Commissioner Dr Litha Musyimi-Ogana was elected as a member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights by the Executive Council of the African Union in July 2022 and was sworn into office on 21 October 2022.

She serves as Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, Communities and Minorities in Africa, as well as Chairperson of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV and Those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV in Africa.

A seasoned African diplomat with more than three decades of senior executive experience, Dr Musyimi-Ogana’s expertise includes economic governance, gender and development, institutional leadership and stakeholder mobilisation. She has contributed to the transformation of several African Union institutions, including the Women, Gender and Development Directorate, the African Peer Review Mechanism, the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD and the Pan-African Parliament.

Her advocacy has helped place women’s rights and gender equality at the centre of conversations on governance and development across Africa. Her contributions have been recognised through numerous honours, including the 2013 Women Achievers Presidential Award from former Malawian President Joyce Banda and the African Women of Excellence Award in 2020. She was also among 1,000 women globally nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr Musyimi-Ogana holds a PhD in Economic Governance and Development Aid.