More than 2 000 women gathered in Johannesburg for the Wisdom and Wellness WalkFest 2025, united by a powerful message: real beauty is defined on your own terms. With Dove as the main sponsor, the 5km walk brought together women of all ages in celebration of wellness, sisterhood, and self-empowerment.
Throughout the route, participants encountered uplifting messages and moments of reflection, reinforcing the event’s theme of confidence, authenticity and body positivity.
After the walk, attendees enjoyed wellness experiences and opportunities for connection – reminders that beauty is about self-acceptance and embracing one’s individuality. This included a rejuvenating Dove Spa experience, where participants were pampered with signature Dove products – a moment of calm and care in honour of self-love.
A major highlight was the panel discussion “Beauty on Your Own Terms: Regaining Control of Our Definitions of Beauty,” hosted by Mpoomy Ledwaba. The conversation was honest, emotional and deeply resonant; tackling beauty autonomy, digital distortion, social pressure and the journey to embracing one’s true self.
The panel featured Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa, a bold and deeply authentic influencer who shared her powerful story of self-acceptance after navigating life with psoriasis and hair loss, an experience that once left her questioning her sense of identity.
“For the longest time, losing my hair felt like losing a piece of who I was. I hid behind wigs, thinking they’d help me feel beautiful again, thinking they’d make me whole. But one day, I realised I wasn’t hiding my hair, I was hiding my light. The day I cut my hair with love and pride, was the moment I came home to myself. Everything changed. I stopped chasing the version of beauty I thought I’d lost and started celebrating the woman I actually am.
Lerai Rakoditsoe, a Gen Z changemaker, spoke to the new wave of authenticity. “I think real beauty begins the moment you choose honesty over performance. We’ve all mastered presentation,now it’s time to master presence,” she said.
Dove’s involvement in the WalkFest went far beyond sponsorship. From thoughtful activations to meaningful dialogue, Dove reaffirmed its commitment to creating a world where women and girls are seen, heard and celebrated just as they are.
“At Dove, we have a vision of a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety. Whether through global campaigns exposing digital distortion or local self-esteem programmes in schools, our goal is the same: to help women and girls realise they are enough,” said Dove representative Anele Maphanga.
The day’s activities encouraged women to celebrate their true selves, support one another and reclaim their definitions of beauty.
At the Dove Experiential Stand, guests engaged with some of Dove’s most loved innovations, including the New Dove Advanced Care Even Tone Deodorant, Dove Beauty Bar and Dove Shower Creams. Each product display brought the brand’s purpose to life: celebrating and caring for real beauty.
The Wisdom and Wellness WalkFest 2025 stands as a testament to the growing movement for beauty autonomy in South Africa; where women and girls are celebrated for expressing their true selves.
Together with every Gal Pal who showed up authentically, Dove is proud to have walked for Real Beauty.
