Culture Craze

Criselda Kananda Is Turning the Tribute To Women Concert into a Movement

Published

2 months ago

August 1, 2025

Chiraag

Criselda Kananda, Tribute To Women concert, women empowerment SA, Marks Park Emmarentia, artist workshops South Africa, mental health support, rural talent South Africa, Joburg music events, Malibongwe Arts Festival, Joburg ETC

This year’s Tribute To Women isn’t just a concert. It’s a mission in motion.

Dr Criselda Kananda, one of South Africa’s most respected broadcasters and health advocates, has officially taken the lead as ambassador for the Tribute To Women concert 2025. But she’s not stopping there. As the new chairperson of the Malibongwe Arts Festival Foundation, Kananda is reshaping this iconic event into something far more powerful than a night of music.

Of course, the 2025 show still promises a stellar lineup at Marks Park in Emmarentia on 26 August, with performances by Makhadzi, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mi Casa, The Soil, Lloyiso, and Ami Faku. But for Kananda, celebration and empowerment must go hand-in-hand.

Workshops, Wellness, and the Women We Don’t See

In a conversation with IOL, Kananda revealed plans to expand the concert’s impact through a series of workshops on mental health, financial literacy, and the business side of entertainment. These won’t just target artists in Joburg; they’ll reach rural communities often left out of mainstream platforms.

“We’re going to do storytelling. We’re going to empower artists in areas like financial management and mental health,” she said. “We’re going into rural villages to discover women with creative genius.”

Her approach aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural, spotlighting talent while building sustainable careers through knowledge of royalties, needle time rights, and brand management.

A Legacy for the Long Run

Kananda’s lived experience as a health and wellness champion, including over a decade on radio simplifying complex medical topics, makes her a natural fit for this role. But her influence extends even further.

She currently serves in an executive role at 360 Global Solutions, an investment firm linked to NUMSA. She also actively campaigns for better recognition of traditional African medicine and supports local vaccine development efforts.

Her stance on diabetes awareness is another powerful part of her advocacy work. She’s calling for a change in language, urging people to stop calling it “sugar disease” and start acknowledging its seriousness.

Redefining Role Models

One of Kananda’s boldest ideas is to redefine how we think about women leaders. Instead of promoting a single role model, she wants young women to draw strength from the positive traits of many.

“I’m hoping we showcase the quality of a human being, not just a celebrity. We need to challenge the idea that women are only powerful in certain roles,” she said.

It’s a sentiment that resonates with the ethos of Tribute To Women: a platform that uplifts, celebrates, and evolves.

Social Buzz and Public Applause

Online, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of support. “She’s the perfect choice for this role,” one X user commented. “This is what empowerment should look like: year-round impact, not just a stage.”

Others praised the rural outreach initiative, saying it was “long overdue” for South Africa’s hidden creatives to get the spotlight they deserve.

Not Just a Concert: A Cultural Shift

The Tribute To Women concert 2025 will still bring the music and magic Joburg expects, but under Criselda Kananda’s leadership, it’s becoming something much bigger, a movement for real empowerment, long after the lights go down.

This isn’t just another Joburg festival. It’s a cultural shift. And it’s only just getting started.