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Lionesses of Africa

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The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Absa / Lioness Launch / Absa launches its Absa Business She Thrives proposition, designed for women in business

October 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Absa / Lioness Launch

As an entrepreneur, you are always in search of ways to leave your mark in an impactful way. With Business She Thrives, Absa is here to support and empower you with the tools that enable you and your business to grow. Absa has a range of holistic, well-designed banking, finance and investment solutions, offered to enable you to achieve your business goals, wealth creation, protection and preservation objectives to build your business legacy. Over and above this, you have non-financial solutions as a value-add to give you access to markets, training and networking events.

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In Lioness Content Lab, Lioness Launch Tags absa, Business Finance
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Beyond computer screen engagements with the Lionesses of Africa

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Langelihle Simela, Business Development Manager, Absa

Since the onset of COVID-19, many engagements went to electronic platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams. One benefit from this experience is that we learnt that we do not have to drive, fly or Uber to each and every meeting; there are some instances where it is sufficient to engage over virtual platforms and save on travel time and costs. By the same token, the downside is that digital meetings constrain the establishment of meaningful connections. The human part of the relationship is not as easy to establish across the screen. So, following the successful Business Agility Webinars and taking advantage of the decline in COVID-19 infections and the easing of social distancing measures, Absa and the Lionesses of Africa (LoA) are moving to face-to-face engagements, where authentic professional relationships can be established. After all, Absa is a relationship-driven bank.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Relationship Bankers in Profile / Absa / Maureen Ntsane

August 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Maureen Ntsane

Impact Partner Content / Absa / Relationship Banker Profile - Maureen Ntsane

In this week’s edition of Lioness Weekender, we are publishing the fourth in a series of regular profiles featuring Absa Relationship Bankers whose role it is to support entrepreneurs. The fourth of our profiles introduces Maureen Ntsane, Regional Head: Sales & Service Enablement - Central Region.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Relationship Bankers in Profile / Absa / Nadia Valli

August 21, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa / Relationship Banker Profile - Nadia Valli

In this week’s edition of Lioness Weekender, we are publishing the third in a series of regular profiles featuring Absa Relationship Bankers whose role it is to support entrepreneurs. The third of our profiles introduces Nadia Valli, Area Coverage Manager managing Commercial Relationship Executives, Private Banking and Small to Medium Enterprises.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Relationship Bankers in Profile / Absa / Jolene Grobler

August 14, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Jolene Grobler

Impact Partner Content / Absa / Relationship Banker Profile - Jolene Grobler

In this week’s edition of Lioness Weekender, we are publishing the second in a series of regular profiles featuring Absa Relationship Bankers whose role it is to support entrepreneurs. The second of our profiles introduces Jolene Grobler, Regional Segment Head: Gauteng and Limpopo, whose area of responsibility within Absa is Relationship Banking: Business Bank.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Relationship Bankers in Profile / Absa / Sibongile (Bongi) Macholi

August 7, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa / Relationship Banker Profile - Sibongile (Bongi) Macholi

In this week’s edition of Lioness Weekender, we are publishing the first in a series of regular profiles featuring Absa Relationship Bankers whose role it is to support entrepreneurs. The first of our profiles introduces Sibongile (Bongi) Macholi, Area Coverage Manager: Relationship Banking Coverage, Somerset West: Small and Medium Enterprise, Commercial Business and Private Banking at Absa.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Navigating the world of global uncertainty

July 3, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa / by Janeal Haskins Head: Forex Sales and International Banking

A black swan is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, severe impact and the widespread insistence that they were obvious in hindsight. The term was popularized by the book, The Black Swan, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Greater focus required in the manufacturing sector

June 12, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

As the fourth largest contributor to gross domestic product, manufacturing is a key sector to the country’s recovery plan and achieving our future growth by creating jobs and lessening the country’s reliance on imported products.

Absa is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of the Manufacturing Indaba, which will take place on 21 and 22 June 2022 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa, Manufacturing & Engineering
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Funeral business fleet: To own or to lease?

May 22, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

A funeral director’s fleet is one of the drawcards that serves as a key marketing tool. The fast-paced trend-driven industry competes on the wheels that a funeral home owns. An ongoing debate lurks for the funeral director as to which ownership structure best serves their needs – to own or to lease.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Understanding the fuel industry

May 1, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

Absa has a clear understanding of the fuel industry, which is clearly outlined in our banking solutions. We spend time understanding our clients’ needs within the industry and provide solutions accordingly. We have an end-to-end approach to solutioning the owner’s, business’s and employees’ needs. As a financial services partner to more than 30% of service stations in South Africa, Absa has a thorough understanding of the industry’s intricacies and specific challenges.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Collaboration is key to growth for women entrepreneurs

April 17, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

When you talk about an important topic such as The Power of Collaboration for Women Entrepreneurs in Growth Mode, then women want to hear and engage, and that was certainly the case at the latest Lioness Business Agility Webinars on 13 April 2022. The event, organized by Lionesses of Africa in partnership with Absa, brought together a record number of women entrepreneurs together online to engage, connect and importantly, explore potential future collaborations.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa, Event, Lioness Business Agility Series
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Growth and sustainability for women entrepreneurs

March 13, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / by Dr Langelihle Simela, Agribusiness Development Manager, Absa

Women entrepreneurs are business people like their male counterparts. As such, any factors that affect business growth and sustainability, affect their businesses too. These factors include understanding the opportunities and challenges in the sector in which they operate, how the prevailing socio-economic environment impacts on these, and the ability to ride the opportunities and tackle the challenges. For example, in South Africa, one of the biggest challenges is the inconsistent supply and escalating cost of electricity. Absa provides insights and content that focuses on the technologies, available resources, financial considerations for investment in these technologies, suitable implementation, as well as regulatory issues that must be kept in mind. This information is available to all businesses and the opportunity to gainfully use the information is equally open to all businesses. So why would there be special focus on women entrepreneurs in terms of achieving growth and sustainability?

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa, Sustainability
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Turning your big vision into a high growth business

February 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

The first Lioness Business Agility Webinar of 2022 took place on 23 February 2022, taking as its theme “How to Turn Your Big Vision into a High Growth Business,” with 143 women entrepreneurs joining to be inspired, to learn, and to connect with their fellow women business builders from South Africa and the African continent. The event marked the start of a new year of powerful webinars ahead, with new opportunities to be grasped and new challenges to meet head on, and, after everything that has happened over the past two years, attendees were more than ready to make the event count! The Lioness Business Agility Webinar series for 2022 is once again a partnership between Lionesses of Africa and Absa.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags Partner Events, absa
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The distributed energy future is here! 

February 6, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

We recognize Africa’s vulnerability to climate change, and together with like-minded individuals and organisations, we will contribute to creating sustainable, value-creating solutions to some of Africa’s greatest environmental challenges.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags Sustainability, Renewable Energy, absa
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A glance at the past and hope for 2022: Road to recovery

January 16, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa / by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sector Development at Absa Retail and Business Bank

The road to recovery has felt like a long and winding one, with a few bumps along the way, but the South African economy has recovered faster than initially forecasted, and expectations are that we may reach the average pre-COVID-19 levels of economic activity as early as next year. Recovery has varied across industries with sectors requiring lower levels of contact, such as manufacturing and mining, recovering at a faster pace than those sectors that require higher levels of contact, such as tourism and hospitality.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Dark kitchens and the changes in Quick Service Restaurant models

November 7, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

Sluggish growth on the traditional brick n mortar restaurant market is demanding alternative ways of doing business.

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered changes that also fast-forwarded trends on our shores. One trend that is presenting opportunities in the prepared food business is the ‘dark kitchen’ model. Dark kitchen essentially refers to a food eatery that sells meals exclusively through delivery channels for remote consumption, there is no physical dine-in experience.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa, Food & Drink
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How SMEs can contribute to the sustainability imperative

October 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa / by Vishay Rabbipal, Head: Renewable Energy, Retail and Business Banking

All-encompassing solutions for the green transition implies two intertwined policy objectives – inclusive growth and green growth. Put in a different way, it begs the question: How can we achieve environmental objectives and at the same time deliver inclusive and widely shared economic growth?

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags Sustainability, absa
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Upping the game: Digital innovation for better customer service delivery and experience in local government

September 26, 2021 Melanie Hawken
pablo-23.png

Impact Partner Content / Absa

Municipalities, along with many other public sector entities, are highly dependent on revenue generated from services rendered. As such, they are always looking at ways to improve processes, revenue collection and the overall customer experience. In response to this growing need by municipalities as well as to address concerns of the auditor general with respect to revenue collection by municipalities, Absa has embarked on a journey to provide digitally led solutions to municipalities.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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FASA Conference provides platform to discuss empowering African enterprise through women’s entrepreneurship

September 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken
FASA Conference banner.png

Impact Partner Content / Absa

The Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA), in partnership with Absa, hosted its first virtual conference since before the pandemic on the 25th and 26th August. The aim was to review, reset and revive the franchise sector in the country. South Africa stands out as the only country in Africa that embraced the franchising model way back in the 1960s and built it into the formidable business sector that has created 800 business brands operating through over 48 000 outlets and employing around half a million people. One of the key topics for discussion at the Conference was empowering Africa's women entrepreneurs and recognizing their role as critical job creators. Lionesses of Africa was invited to present its findings on this important subject from its recent South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey, undertaken in partnership with New York University, in collaboration with Absa.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Special live webinar to announce the results of the South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Research Survey

August 22, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content / Absa

We all know that South Africa urgently needs jobs, but where are these jobs going to come from? The results of the South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Research Survey are out now - and it’s official, women entrepreneurs are vital job creators, both now and in the future! A special 1 hour live webinar event will be held on the morning of Tuesday 31 August 2021 to share the findings of this important research study.

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In Lioness Content Lab Tags absa
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Older Posts →

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series - Navigating Artificial Intelligence In The Workplace

Lioness Radio Show Special Episode: Navigating AI in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain

LIONESS DATA & INSIGHTS


LIONESS PLAYBOOKS



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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe

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