Johannesburg, 13 April 2026 – Dr Marlena Kruger, CEO and Founder of MindUnique Education and Institute, has been named Woman in Health & Wellness at the prestigious 2026 Woman of Stature Awards South Africa – a recognition that underscores her pioneering work in digital well-being and her growing influence in addressing screen addiction among children and teenagers.
Held at a glamorous red-carpet gala in Johannesburg on 11 April, the Woman of Stature Awards once again celebrated exceptional women shaping South Africa’s future across business, leadership, and community impact.
Now in its 11th season and marking 13 years of impact, the awards received over 1,000 nominations from across five provinces in 2026 – a record that reflects both the platform’s growing influence and the depth of female leadership driving socio-economic change in the country.
For Dr Kruger, the award is not only a personal milestone but a powerful validation of a message she has been championing for years: that excessive screen exposure poses a real and growing risk to the health and development of young people.
Recent global findings and legal scrutiny involving major technology companies such as META have brought renewed attention to the addictive nature of digital platforms – reinforcing concerns long raised by experts like Dr Kruger. These developments highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, education, and proactive intervention to protect children and teenagers in an increasingly digital world.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled to receive this Woman of Stature Award,” says Kruger. “It strengthens our mission to open up more opportunities to support children and families in living healthier, happier lives in a digital-driven world. The growing evidence around screen addiction confirms what we are seeing every day – we need to act now.”
Dr Kruger founded MindUnique Education in 2015 as a health and wellness company specialising in holistic well-being, with a strong focus on digital and neuro-integrative health. Through her work, she equips individuals and families with practical tools to navigate and rebalance their lives in a technology-saturated environment.
Her initiatives include the development of holistic wellness products and programmes such as the Happy Neuro Heroes (also available in Afrikaans as Gelukkige Neuro-Wenners welweesavontuur) courses, books, talks, coaching, and quantum health assessments – all designed to support mental, emotional, and physical resilience.
MindUnique also manufactures high-quality WoWe® electromagnetic field (EMF) protective products in South Africa, aimed at reducing exposure to non-ionising radiation from everyday technologies such as mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, and Bluetooth devices.
A passionate advocate for children’s well-being, Dr Kruger established the TechnoLife Wise Foundation in 2017. Through this platform, she has launched impactful campaigns including:
- Wait Until Grade 8
- No Phones at Schools
- Jump of Joy, which promotes physical development by providing skipping ropes to underprivileged young children
“These initiatives are about restoring balance,” she explains. “Children need movement, connection, and real-world experiences to develop optimally – not constant digital stimulation.”
Organisers of the Woman of Stature Awards praised this year’s winners as trailblazers who lead with purpose, resilience, and vision, contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s growth.
As digital technologies continue to shape daily life, Dr Kruger’s work is increasingly positioned at the intersection of health, education, and societal well-being – offering both a warning and a way forward.
Media enquiries and interviews:
Dr Marlena Kruger
Email: marlena@mindunique.co.za
Cell: 083 456 3505