Zone Feni Wins Consultancy Award at Forty Under 40 South Africa

21st Century Group CEO recognised for her work in reward governance, organisational design, transformation and leadership

Ntombizone “Zone” Feni, Group CEO of 21st Century, has won the Consultancy Award at the 2026 Forty Under 40 Awards South Africa.

The awards ceremony was held on 3 October at The Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg, where Feni took the Consultancy honours in an eight-person field. The recognition adds to her growing profile in South Africa’s business and consultancy sector.

The Forty Under 40 Awards South Africa recognise leaders under 40 across industries, with nominees assessed on professional and entrepreneurial achievements, innovation, vision and leadership, power and influence, as well as business and community involvement. Public voting also forms part of the assessment.

Zone Feni recognised for consultancy leadership

Feni’s professional work spans reward governance, organisational design, change management and transformation.

She has led specialist reward projects and strategic public-sector relationships, including work involving remuneration policies for public office bearers.

These assignments involve complex questions around how organisations structure responsibility, establish reward frameworks and recognise the people responsible for delivering on organisational objectives.

Her award comes alongside her role as Group CEO of 21st Century, whose consulting services span remuneration and reward, organisational design, change management, people and talent, and analytics.

Following the announcement, Feni directed her first response towards her colleagues and the wider 21st Century team.

“This is for all of us at 21st Century! I am because we are,” says Feni.

Her response reflects the collaborative nature of consultancy, where projects often involve teams of specialists working with organisations to address people, organisational and strategic challenges.

From business leadership to social impact

Alongside her role as Group CEO, Feni is the founder and CEO of the 21st Century Foundation, extending her work beyond the corporate environment into social impact.

Her academic background includes a BA in International Relations from the University of Pretoria and an MPhil in Inclusive Innovation, currently in progress at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business.

Her research focuses on establishing sustainable fundraising models for no-fee schools amid limited state funding.

The research connects with broader questions around sustainability and access to resources, particularly for institutions operating in environments where traditional funding models may be constrained.

Addressing changing workplace needs

Feni’s recognition comes at a time when organisations are navigating increasingly complex questions around remuneration, organisational design, transformation, talent and leadership.

How businesses structure roles and reward employees can influence organisational performance, while effective change management can help companies respond to shifting economic and workplace conditions.

21st Century’s consulting offering brings these areas together through specialist services covering remuneration and reward, organisational design, change management, people and talent, and analytics.

For organisations, this work can involve reviewing existing structures, developing reward strategies, supporting transformation initiatives and using data to inform people-related decisions.

Feni’s leadership role places her at the centre of these conversations, while her work through the 21st Century Foundation provides another platform for applying her experience to social challenges.

A milestone for Zone Feni

The Forty Under 40 Consultancy Award adds another milestone to Feni’s career and recognises her contribution to a sector that plays an important role in helping organisations navigate people and organisational challenges.

While the award recognises an individual, Feni has chosen to frame it as a collective achievement.

“This is for all of us at 21st Century! I am because we are,” she says.

For Feni and the 21st Century team, the recognition provides an opportunity to highlight the role of consultancy in shaping organisations, developing people and supporting businesses through periods of change.

Her combination of corporate leadership, consultancy experience, academic research and social-impact work continues to place her at the intersection of business, people and organisational development in South Africa.