Cocktails & Connections Returns: Bigger, Bolder, and More Influential Than Ever

In today’s evolving business landscape, influence is no longer defined solely by titles or headlines, it is measured by impact, networks, and the ability to lift others while driving meaningful change. This Women’s Month, Oceans Mall, in partnership with the Dabulamanzi Foundation and proudly sponsored by Roberto Cavalli, is hosting an event that embodies this principle. Cocktails & Connections brings together 100 influential women, from entrepreneurs and executives to creatives and community leaders for an afternoon designed to inspire, educate, and catalyze action.

Partnering with the Dabulamanzi Foundation, the mall is hosting a high-value space for learning, deal-making, and recognition. From 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, attendees will connect over curated cocktails and gourmet bites but the real value begins when the speakers hit the stage.

The event recognizes a critical truth: women are shaping industries, transforming communities, and redefining leadership, often without public recognition. With keynote addresses, panel discussions, exhibitions, and a special elevator pitch showcase, Cocktails & Connections is not a traditional networking gathering. It is a platform for tangible insight, actionable strategies, and authentic connections that can accelerate personal and professional growth.

When: Saturday, 29 August 2025

Networking & Cocktails: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Programme Start: Guests should be seated by 2:45 PM

Where: Oceans Mall

Curated Line-Up of Speakers

The programme features a range of distinguished voices:

• HRH Princess Gugu Zulu Hlatshwayo (Dabulamanzi Foundation) – "The Power of the Quiet Leader: Honouring Women Who Do the Work Unseen"

  Highlighting how women can create transformative impact without public recognition, driving community and business outcomes through action rather than applause.

• Cindy Norcott (Robin Hood Foundation) – "Legacy Beyond Profit: How Ordinary Women Become Extraordinary Heroes"

  Sharing real-life examples of women whose everyday contributions generate long-term social impact.

• Dr. Parushinee Naidoo (Skin Solutions) – "Confidence Beyond the Surface: Uplifting Ordinary Women to Step Into Their Light"

  Addressing the intersection of personal confidence and professional leadership, with practical insights on empowering women to turn self-belief into tangible success.

• Panel Discussions & MC Sorisha Naidoo

  Panels will focus on practical business strategies and mentorship, covering topics such as structuring scalable businesses, leveraging media for visibility, and turning opportunities into growth platforms.

Opportunities for Women-Led Ventures

Exhibition – “Celebrate & Showcase”

On 30 August 2025, 10 women-owned businesses will have the opportunity to exhibit at Oceans Mall. This platform provides direct access to consumers and a high-profile setting for brand exposure.

Elevator Pitch – “Empowered to Empower”

Five entrepreneurs will deliver 60-second pitches, highlighting community-driven initiatives. One standout “hidden hero” will win a week of digital billboard advertising on the Piazza.

The event is structured to combine celebration with actionable insight. Guests can network over cocktails and gourmet bites while gaining practical knowledge from established leaders. Beyond inspiration, the gathering emphasizes philanthropic impact, inviting contributions to the Robin Hood Foundation and Dabulamanzi Foundation—organizations dedicated to supporting women driving community change.

Agenda Highlights

• Cocktails and networking

• Keynote talks and panel discussions

• Live elevator pitch showcase

• Opportunities to connect with industry leaders and women-led ventures

Cocktails & Connections positions itself not just as a celebration, but as a strategic forum for elevating women’s leadership, visibility, and impact in business and community. Oceans Mall and its partners are calling on guests to contribute to the Robin Hood Foundation and Dabulamanzi Foundation, two organisations actively supporting women who carry communities without recognition. It’s a blend of capital and compassion—core to sustainable leadership.