“I am deeply honoured to be recognised among the Top 100 Influential Men and Women of 2026,” said Durban entrepreneur Pashkiran Reddy, following his nomination for the Influential Awards 2026.
“I accept this not as a personal accolade, but as a reflection of the extraordinary teams, partners, communities and visionaries who are building alongside me.”
Reddy will be recognised at a ceremony at the Sibaya Izulu Theatre on Saturday, April 18. After a rigorous selection process, he was chosen as one of the top 30 nominees from more than 200 candidates to represent Durban.
The Influential Awards acknowledge 100 men and women each year who have made notable contributions to South Africa across sectors.
Reflecting on the recognition, Reddy said that the moment signals a broader shift.
“This recognition is an important first step in acknowledging African talent, African leadership and African innovation. For too long, our continent has been viewed primarily as a market to consume global technology rather than a force that creates it. That narrative is changing, and it must continue to change.”
He added that the nomination marks the beginning of deeper work.
“The journey does not end with recognition. It begins here. Now the real work intensifies. We must drive awareness, create meaningful support structures and engage stakeholders across public and private sectors to ensure that African innovation is taken seriously on the global stage.”
Reddy also addressed structural barriers within the digital economy.
“When South African developers are unable to advertise their products on major app marketplaces, when freedom of expression is shaped by policies far removed from our realities, we are reminded that digital power remains centralised. These are not complaints. They are catalysts.”
He believes the continent must move towards ownership.
“It is time for us to chart our own path, not as passive consumers of global platforms, but as active contributors and owners within the digital economy. We must build platforms that respect our context, protect our data, and create equity for our people.”
Reddy is widely known as a celebrity chef and restaurateur. He gained national recognition as a finalist on Season 2 of “My Kitchen Rules South Africa” alongside his wife, Kamisha Naidoo-Reddy. The pair has also launched and managed several restaurants together, building a presence within the hospitality industry.
Beyond the kitchen, Reddy has expanded into technology. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Scholr, an artificial intelligence-driven education platform focused on expanding access to learning and economic opportunity.
He also serves as co-founder and executive chairman of Meda Technology, which develops artificial intelligence-powered data solutions for research and healthcare.
In early 2026, he was involved in the launch of WhipIT, described as Africa’s first experiential social platform. The application aims to connect digital interaction with real-world engagement through features designed to encourage in-person experiences and community building.
“Africa is not behind. Africa is emerging with intention,” Reddy said.
“The future will not be given to us. It will be built by us. This honour strengthens my conviction that Africa’s time is not coming, it is here. And together, we will ensure that we are not only included in the global conversation, but leading it.”
