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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
The sixth edition of the highly anticipated Iconic Global Summit/Honors 2025, hosted by Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Ltd in partnership with the Mayorkings Charity Foundation, successfully concluded, leaving a lasting impression on a diverse cohort of global and African leaders.
Held under the compelling theme, “The Africa We Want: Sustainable Development; Everyone’s Responsibility,” the Summit served as a crucial platform for galvanizing action toward a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive future for the African continent.
The event’s highlight was the powerful, visionary keynote addresses delivered by two of South Africa and Africa’s most influential women: Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the first female Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, and Dr. Danisa Baloyi, the pioneering First President of the Black Business Council South Africa.
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma underscored the imperative of regional integration and good governance, stating, “The ‘Africa We Want’ is not a dream but a concrete plan, laid out in Agenda 2063. Its successful execution requires every sector—government, private business, and civil society—to align their efforts with a shared vision of peace, prosperity, and people-centered development.”
Dr. Danisa Baloyi, a celebrated figure in African economic empowerment, focused her address on the critical role of the private sector, specifically highlighting the need to nurture indigenous entrepreneurship. “For Africa to achieve true sustainable development, we must intentionally dismantle barriers for local businesses and create an environment where the Black Business Council’s original mission—economic transformation—is realized. This is where innovation and inclusive growth will truly take root,” Dr. Baloyi remarked.
A Bold Call for a Borderless Africa:
In a moment that garnered significant attention, Ambassador Dr. Temisan O. Louis, a prominent advocate for continental unity, issued a direct and specific challenge to the African Union (AU) during the proceedings.
Amb. Dr. Temisan called upon the AU to set a concrete example of a borderless continent by engaging the government of Ethiopia to abolish visa restrictions for all African citizens seeking to visit Ethiopia, the seat of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
”If we are serious about a unified, prosperous Africa as envisioned in Agenda 2063, we must start at the heart of our unity,” stated Amb. Dr. Louis. “Ethiopia, as the host country of the AU, must lead by example and demonstrate true Pan-Africanism. Allowing visa-free access for all Africans to the continent’s administrative capital would be the most symbolic and impactful step towards realizing the African passport and the dream of a borderless Africa for its citizens.”
Summit Highlights and Honors
The Summit also featured high-voltage panel discussions on topics ranging from ethical AI adoption in Africa, ESG strategy, and youth leadership, aligning with the event’s core goal of driving positive change.
The evening segment, the esteemed Iconic Global Honors, celebrated distinguished individuals, corporations, and organizations for their significant contributions to sustainable development, good governance, community impact, and humanitarian efforts across the continent. Awardees were recognized for setting benchmarks in their respective fields.
The event also marked the official launch of Iconic International Holdings’ expanded suite of Iconic brands, including Iconic Global, Iconic Africa, Iconic Council, Iconic Under 50, Iconic Under 40, Iconic Under 30, Iconic Women, and Iconic 500 List of Global Influential Personalities designed to foster specialized leadership networks for greater impact across demographics.
About Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Ltd:
Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Ltd is a global organization dedicated to creating platforms for leadership, recognizing excellence, and driving sustainable development across Africa and the world. Through its annual Iconic Global Summit/Honors, the organization brings together influential personalities to exchange ideas and set a new agenda for continental progress.
