Printing SA’s Women in Print initiative celebrates its 5th Anniversary with the 2026 theme #PressHERForward. Reaching over 2.5 million participants across 34 African countries, the movement features a three-city event series in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town alongside the PrintHER Mentorship Programme to empower and mentor emerging female leaders.
Printing SA is proud to announce the return of its flagship Women in Print initiative as the platform celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2026 under the theme #PressHERForward.
As Printing SA celebrates 115 years of industry excellence and innovation, guided by its enduring commitment to Print. Progress. Possibilities, Women in Print marks its own significant milestone – five years of recognising, empowering and connecting women across South Africa’s print, packaging, signage and visual communications industries.
Since its inception, Women in Print has become a respected national platform that champions visibility, leadership, opportunity and industry advancement. The initiative has since evolved into a recognised national and continental movement spanning 34 African countries and engaging more than 2.5 million online participants through industry conversations, digital campaigns and collaborative partnerships. It continues to create a space where women are recognised for their contributions, share experiences, build meaningful networks and engage in conversations that shape the future of the industry.
Over the past five years, Women in Print has evolved into a movement that celebrates women at every stage of their professional journey while encouraging greater participation, representation and leadership within the sector. This evolution led to the introduction of the PrintHER Mentorship Programme in 2025, creating opportunities for emerging women professionals to be guided by experienced industry leaders. In 2026, the programme reaches an important milestone as the inaugural PrintHER mentors and mentees are recognised during the national Women in Print series, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to developing future women leaders within the industry.
The 2026 campaign theme, #PressHERForward, reflects a collective commitment to advancing women in business, leadership, innovation and industry development. It is a call to action for the industry to continue creating opportunities for women to lead, build and reimagine the future.
Three Cities. Three Themes. One Movement
The Women in Print 2026 national series will take place across three major cities, each representing a unique pillar of the #PressHERForward movement.
Johannesburg – Print | Women Who Lead
August 7, 2026
The Johannesburg edition will celebrate women who are leading organisations, transforming industries, driving innovation and influencing the future of business. Discussions will focus on leadership, visibility, influence and the power of women occupying and shaping decision-making spaces.
Durban – Progress | Women Who Build
August 21 2026
The Durban edition will honour women who are building businesses, careers, communities and economic opportunities. The programme will explore entrepreneurship, resilience, growth and the role women play in driving sustainable industry development.
Cape Town – Re-Imagine Women Who Reimagine
August 27, 2026
The Cape Town edition will spotlight women who are reimagining the future through innovation, creativity and new ways of thinking. Conversations will focus on future-focused leadership, emerging trends and the opportunities that innovation presents for the next generation of industry professionals.
Together, these three themes form the foundation of the 2026 Women in Print journey — recognising the women who lead, the women who build and the women who reimagine, while creating a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration and growth.
Speaking on the significance of the milestone, Abisha Katerere, Head: Business Development & Marketing at Printing SA, said: “Women in Print represents one of the most important platforms within our industry, creating opportunities for women to connect, lead, innovate and inspire meaningful change across the print, packaging, signage and visual communications sectors.”
She continued, “As Printing SA celebrates 115 years of industry excellence and innovation, guided by our commitment to Print. Progress. Possibilities., we are equally proud to celebrate five years of Women in Print. What started as an initiative to recognise and empower women in our sector has grown into a national movement that continues to elevate voices, build networks and create opportunities for future generations. Today, the movement extends across 34 African countries and engages more than 2.5 million online participants. The introduction of the PrintHER Mentorship Programme further reflects the evolution of Women in Print beyond an annual event, creating a platform that invests in developing the next generation of women leaders within our industry. Through this year’s #PressHERForward campaign, we honour the women who are leading, building and reimagining the future of our industry while creating pathways for greater inclusion, participation and progress across the sector.”
Attendees can look forward to keynote presentations, leadership conversations, panel discussions, networking opportunities and industry insights designed to inspire, connect and empower women across the print value chain.
The Women in Print 2026 series will bring together industry professionals, entrepreneurs, partners, sponsors, government stakeholders and emerging leaders committed to shaping a more inclusive and progressive future for South Africa’s print, packaging, signage and visual communications industries.
As the industry continues to evolve, Women in Print remains a platform that celebrates achievement, fosters collaboration and demonstrates the possibilities that emerge when women are empowered to lead, build and reimagine. Through the PrintHER Mentorship Programme and the #PressHERForward campaign, the initiative continues to strengthen leadership, collaboration and opportunity across South Africa and the African continent.
For ticket information, log on to: https://www.fespa.com /en/news-media/women-in-print-5-years-empowering-south-africas-print-industry/
