The world's most powerful business women, who collectively own and run corporations that generate $200bn (about R1 trillion) and employ more than 500 000 people in 56 countries, are headed for South Africa next year.

Amongst the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World (LWEW) are ten South African women, including Pam Golding, Aida Geffen and Gloria Serobe.

The LWEW meets every year. This year's location is Bankok in Thailand. The South African delegation is formed by top South African business women, Community Investment Holdings executive chairperson Anna Mokgokong, TV host Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Gauteng's first lady Wendy Luhabe and Wiphold chief executive Louisa Mojela.

The LWEW was founded in 1997 to identify, honour, promote and encourage female entrepreneurial excellence and to heighten public awareness of its impact on the global economy.

Source: Finance24 / March 2006