Clevenard to Honour Ms. Melody Kweba at the 2026 Clevenard Global Awards – 3rd Edition in Alicante, Spain

Alicante, Spain — Clevenard SL is proud to announce that Ms. Melody Kweba, a globally recognized inclusive leader and champion of women’s economic empowerment, will be honoured with a prestigious Honorary Award at the Clevenard Open Project 2026, taking place from 27–30 August 2026 at the Palacio de Congresos, Alicante, Spain.

The honorary distinction will be presented on Day 4 — Sunday, 30 August 2026 during the Clevenard Global Awards – 3rd Edition, the flagship ceremony of the event held in conjunction with the International Fashion Runway. The Awards celebrate outstanding global visionaries whose leadership and impact inspire progress acr,oss borders and generations.

In addition to receiving this prestigious recognition, Ms. Melody Kweba will deliver a keynote address on Day 2 — Friday, 28 August 2026, during the Global Economy, Trade, Solid Minerals, Agriculture & Investment Summit.

Keynote Topic: “Empowering Women, Driving Global Prosperity: Leadership and Inclusion in Mining and Entrepreneurship”

About MS MELODY KWEBA

Ms. Melody Kweba is an influential Pan-African entrepreneur, financial planner, and global advocate for women’s leadership in the mining and extractive industries. She is the Founder and 1st President of the Association of Women in Mining in Africa (AWIMA)—a pioneering continental institution dedicated to advancing and empowering women across Africa’s mineral, mining, and extractive sectors.

With a distinguished academic and professional background, Ms Kweba holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Thomas University, complemented by Executive Management training at Bocconi University in Italy, one of Europe’s leading business schools. She is also a Registered Financial Planner with the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa.

Her expertise in mining is supported by specialized training at Mintek and the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA). She has served as a professional financial planner for two of South Africa’s major banking institutions: Nedbank and Standard Bank.

Ms Kweba’s leadership journey spans several influential roles. From 2011 to 2017, she served as Chairperson of the Basadi Ba Bakopane Women’s Consortium, shareholders in Main Street 333, the majority shareholder in Exxaro, one of South Africa’s leading coal and minerals mining companies. She also served as Director and Board Member of Main Street and held a seat on the Mpumalanga Provincial License Board from 2009 to 2015.

Her dynamic contributions to the mining sector include her leadership as President of the South African Women in Mining Association (SAWIMA) and the South African Women in Mining Investment Holdings (SAWIMIH). Under her guidance, these organizations expanded women’s participation, investment, and ownership in mining, contributing to measurable shifts in gender inclusion within the sector.

Ms Kweba’s achievements have earned her several prestigious accolades, including:

• Award for Empowerment of Women (2015) — South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources
• WEISED Honorary Award (2015) — Global Women Innovators & Inventors Network UK and Leading Women of Africa
• Recognition by the Uganda Chamber of Mines (2015) — for launching the Women’s Chapter
• Finalist: Oliver Empowerment Awards – Top Female Leader of the Year (2015)
• Women in Business Excellence Award (2024) — Centre for Economic & Leadership Development for Africa
• Honorary Award (2025) — Heroines International Mining & Extractive Industries, Ghana
• Honoris Causa Diploma in Applied Leadership & People Management (2025) — African Institute of Leadership & Governance
• Excellence in Leadership Award (2025) — African Institute of Leadership & Governance

Beyond her corporate and mining-sector achievements, Ms Kweba is a proud mother of three children — two daughters and one son — and continues to lead with grace, purpose, and resilience. She owns her own mining license in South Africa and remains committed to creating sustainable pathways for women in mining.

In 2014, she broadened her continental influence by contributing to the African Women in Business Forum in Nairobi, an initiative of the UNDP and the African Union Commission. She later founded the Melody Kweba Centre for Empowerment, a mission-driven institution focused on mentorship, education, leadership development, and economic empowerment.

Community Development Foundation (CDF) — “Built Locally, Acting Globally”

Since 2009, the Community Development Foundation (CDF) has worked to advance women’s socio-economic empowerment across more than 150 countries. Through a global network of 100+ partners, CDF implements strategic programs in leadership, economic independence, development advocacy, and gender equality.

CDF’s flagship initiatives include:

• International Women’s Day Conference Initiative (2021–2030) — engaging 18+ sectors across 150 countries.
• Global Women’s Development Network (GWDN) — connecting 20,000+ women worldwide.
• International Rural Women’s Day Initiative — impacting 50,000+ rural women globally.
• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence — training 10,000+ individuals in GBV prevention.
• Women’s Economic Empowerment & Entrepreneurship Programs — supporting over 5,000 women entrepreneurs.
• CDF-GWDN Fellows & Volunteers Program — empowering leaders and volunteers in 150+ countries.
• Leadership & Policy Advocacy for Gender Equality — influencing national and international policy structures.
• CDF remains committed to creating global platforms and local solutions that uplift women across all sectors.

About the Clevenard Open Project 2026

The Clevenard Open Project 2026 is a four-day international event themed “A Global Celebration of Business, Culture, Creativity & Human Connection.” The program brings together global leaders, policymakers, diplomats, creatives, investors, and entrepreneurs to promote sustainable development and global collaboration.

Event Highlights:

• Day 1 (27 August): Global Authors’ Recognition & Education Summit
• Day 2 (28 August): Global Economy, Trade, Solid Minerals, Agriculture & Investment Summit
• (Featuring Keynote Speech by MS MELODY KWEBA)
• Day 3 (29 August): Global Tourism & International Film Celebration
• Day 4 (30 August): Clevenard Global Awards – 3rd Edition & International Fashion Runway

Venue: Palacio de Congresos Alicante, Avinguda de Dénia 47–49, 03013 Alicante, Spain

Contact & Media Enquiries:

• Phone: +34 631 279 811 | +34 672 93 12 16
• Email: info @ clevenard.com
• Website: www.clevenard.com

About Clevenard

Clevenard is a global platform dedicated to connecting people, cultures, businesses, and opportunities. Through media, technology, events, and strategic partnerships, Clevenard drives cultural exchange, global collaboration, and economic development.

Mission: To connect the world, amplify voices, and create opportunities that transform lives.

Category:

Press release 

Oganisation:

Clevenard

Writer:

Tolu Osindero

Phone:

+34631279811