Entrepreneur and philanthropist Zeenat Isaacs has been named a Mail & Guardian Power of Women of 2026 for work that gives creativity an important role in community upliftment.
As founder and managing director of Sm-art, or Supporting Mentorship Through Art, she has built a body of work where creativity serves a much bigger role than artistic expression alone. Her programmes give young people, women and people with disabilities access to accredited skills. Her projects also create employment, develop entrepreneurs and give neglected spaces a renewed sense of dignity.
The Mail & Guardian Power of Women has recognised exceptional women for 20 years. Its annual flagship celebrates women whose work, leadership and ideas contribute to innovation, economic growth and social progress. The selection also highlights women who advance economic freedom, support gender equality and influence policy.
As a child, Zeenat loved creating. She grew up in a Mitchells Plain household where money was scarce but generosity was abundant. Her parents fed families who were struggling and opened their home to people living on the streets. Their example gave Zeenat an early understanding of service and its ability to change a person’s outlook.
That lesson became central to her career.
Today, she is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, social entrepreneur, project manager, production manager and chairperson of Sm-art. Through her organisation, she has delivered masterclasses, upcycling projects and mural interventions. This gives creative ability an economic role in areas such as the Cape Flats, with discarded materials turned into saleable products and blank city walls transformed into spaces that can restore dignity and possibility.
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Zeenat has now received 20 awards across her career. Her honours include the Good Hope FM Warrior Woman Visionary Leader Award, 100 Shining Stars of South Africa Award, City of Cape Town Civic Honours Award, Mayoral Recognition Award, Global Recognition Award, Inspirational Woman Award in the US and Forty Under 40 Award.
Her other honours include the Sunday World Heroic Women Award, Global Citizen Change Maker Award, Foya Social Founder of the Year, global environmental and climate change awards, Dear South Africa Young Leaders National Award, She Innovates Global Award, Sunday World Award for excellence in education, Pan-African Humanitarian Leadership Award 2025 and She Inspires Global Overall Award.
Away from her work, Zeenat enjoys nature, exploring new artistic mediums and spending time with her family.
You can follow Zeenat on her social media pages to stay updated on her work.
Learn more about Sm-art on their website.
Source: Mail & Guardian
Author: Editorial Team
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