Lioness Launch / South Africa’s IWDS, launches impact-driven initiative to create sleeping bags from waste fabrics, turning waste into hope for the homeless

May 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Colleen Deetlefs, founder, IWDS (South Africa)

South African social entrepreneur, Colleen Deetlefs, is passionate about creating awareness of the state of our environment through the renewing of different waste materials and shifting the global economy through the rejuvenation of waste. Her latest initiative, IWDS, is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to fostering sustainability and economic empowerment. Through its work, it strives to offer more than just a solution for waste - it is helping to build a future where creativity, sustainability, and community-driven progress go hand in hand. IWDS is committed to transforming waste into opportunity by upskilling individuals, fostering creativity and promoting sustainability. In a world where waste is abundant and unemployment hovers at 35%, IWDS’s mission is to upskill individuals using repurposed waste materials. With winter now in full swing in South Africa, IWDS has identified a dire need for sleeping bags with a carry bag for the 16000 homeless people in Durban alone. Through upskilling, IWDS is on a mission to create sleeping bags from waste fabrics-turning waste into hope-to those who need it most.

Lioness Launch / South African advanced ingestible skincare brand, Lumelastin, launches new anti-ageing elastin supplement to help women reclaim skin elasticity

May 11, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Maritha Broschk, founder, Lumelastin (South Africa)

Lumelastin, founded by Maritha Broschk, and based in South Africa, has developed a range of advanced ingestible skincare products rooted in science and designed to restore skin health from within. It’s flagship product, Lumelastin Skin Reverse, is an anti-ageing elastin powder supplement designed to help women reclaim skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and support joints, hair, and vascular health. This first-of-its-kind ingestible elastin supplement, is clinically proven to deliver significant anti-ageing effects such as smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin. By adding one scoop a day of Lumelastin Skin Reverse to your coffee, smoothie, fruit juice or any other beverage of choice, hot or cold, you should start seeing results within a month.

Lioness Launch / Feelgood Health, South Africa’s leading natural remedies company, launches new website for the holistic treatment of ADHD in children

April 6, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Michele Carelse, Founder, Feelgood Health and Clinical Psychologist (South Africa)

Feelgood Health is a natural remedies company that specialises in herbal and homeopathic remedies and essential oils for babies, children, adults, and even the family pet. The company’s mission is to make natural alternatives widely available to everyone and to promote the use of safe, natural holistic alternatives for better health outcomes. Feelgood Health products are available online as well as in health shops, pharmacies, vet shops and retail stores throughout South Africa.

Lioness Launch / Cabinet International Kaizene launches new Bold4Growth professional development for women leaders

March 23, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Kaizene International was founded by Mrs. Lynda Aphing-Kouassi, a recognized leader committed to skills development and business transformation. Her experience and expertise have allowed her to build a strategic network of financial and institutional partners, significantly enhancing the impact of the programs deployed. Thanks to her vision and leadership, Kaizene International has become a key partner for businesses and institutions seeking growth and structured development.

Lioness Launch / Nigeria’s Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa brand launches three new revolutionary skincare products

January 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Mimi Whyte Femi, founder, Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa (Nigeria)

Skin Therapy Beauty and Spa, the Nigerian skincare brand launched by Mimi Whyte Femi in 2012, and known as a sanctuary for skin healing and beauty enhancement, announces three new revolutionary products in its range. Founded by someone who understands the personal battle with skin issues, the brand’s mission is to provide holistic, personalized skincare solutions. From inception, the brand has been dedicated to transforming skin health through organic, scientifically-backed treatments and products, offering everything from facials to advanced laser therapies, all tailored to individual skin types and concerns.

South African interior designer Kim Williams launches new RAKGADI African Toile Interior Range

January 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

South Africa’s vibrant heritage deserves to be celebrated every day, and the newly launched Kim Williams RAKGADI African Toile Interior Range powerfully encapsulates this essence. First unveiled at Decorex Cape Town in 2024, the range was born from the dynamic collaboration between esteemed Cape Town based interior designer Kim Williams and acclaimed fashion designer Jessica Jane Molebatsi. The collection, inspired by the essence of togetherness and the powerful role of South African women in our lives, beautifully blends the rich symbolism of local culture with modern design, showcasing a commitment to community, heritage, and beauty. Part of the stunning selection of home décor items includes elegant placemats designed to instantly elevate any table setting, along with a beautifully crafted carpet collection in partnership with Airloom.

Lioness Launch / Yawoa Foundation expands into Francophone Africa with the launch of its “Dreamy Memory” project using the arts to positively impact women's lives

May 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

The Yawoa Foundation, founded by Estelle Dogbo in Nigeria & Togo, has recently expanded into Francophone Africa and launched “Dreamy Memory”, a caritative project using the arts to positively impact women's lives. With the support of Ellipse Art Projects, the concept started the production and exhibition of a portfolio of exclusive photographs created by Togolese emerging artist Parmenas Awudza, who was selected for his original and immersive work, and his sensitivity towards female empowerment. The works will then be showcased in Lome, and sold for the benefit of female patients of a neonatal unit at the CHU in Lomé, in order to contribute to their healthcare needs.

Lioness Launch / Job Crystal Launches Crystal AI in England, Spearheaded by CEO Sasha Knott

April 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Job Crystal, a pioneering force in South Africa’s recruitment industry, proudly announces the official launch of Crystal AI in the United Kingdom. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its innovative solutions to make recruiting faster, especially for the Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and South Africa.

Mozambican entrepreneur Patricia Vasco launches new children’s book project

April 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

A new book for children and adults to read together as part of an enjoyable learning journey has been written and launched by successful Mozambican serial entrepreneur Patricia Vasco. The book entitled, “O Kaio e o cão Panda” was inspired by her young son, and reflects her love of storytelling for children.

Lioness Launch / 1964 unveils "Nostalgia" Collection: A Tribute to Simplicity, Comfort, and Cultural Heritage

March 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

1964, the renowned women's clothing brand founded by Olakunmi Oni, who is also its Creative Director, is dedicated to promoting wellness through fashion, and is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest collection, "Nostalgia." This collection marks the brand's official return to the market, blending timeless designs with modern flair and celebrating the beauty found in simplicity.

Lioness Launch / Environmental consultancy, Redes de Luxo e Servicos in Mozambique, launches an accessory range created from recycled fishing nets

March 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Mozambican environmental consultancy, Redes de Luxo e Servicos, founded by Carla Mahumane, aims to contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems through female and community empowerment. The business has launched a new product line of accessories and clothing using recycled fishing nets. The business is not only providing an environmental solution to the problem of discarded fishing nets, but is also upskilling local women and girls. Redes de Luxo e Servicos has also developed training programmes for women and girls in cutting and sewing techniques and weaving fishing nets to produce accessories such as bags, earrings, necklaces, wallets, and clothes from the reuse of discarded fishing nets.

South Africa wellness company, Wellchemco, launches new Colour Me Calm Adult Colouring Book

January 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Wellchemco is a South African wellness company created by entrepreneur Mauricia Cox and focused on mindful beauty and holistic wellness. It has just announced the launch of an innovative new Colour Me Calm adult colouring book designed to bring creativity and mindfulness into your life. Founder Mauricia encourages users to immerse themselves in the therapeutic art of colouring as they embark on a journey of self-expression and mindfulness. The new colouring book is aimed at helping users to experience gratitude, boost intelligence, reduce anxiety, and enhance holistic wellness in just a few minutes a day with the book’s innovative collation of mindful art, journaling, and positive quotes. Mauricia says it's the science-backed path to a happier you.

Lioness Launch / Sustainable South African fine chocolate brand, Rrraw Chocolate, launches two unique new African flavours to excite tastebuds

November 19, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Ana Maria Panait, founder, Rrraw (South Africa)

Fine chocolate lovers in South Africa already know that what makes Rrraw stand out in the world of chocolates is its unwavering commitment to quality. Founded by entrepreneur brand builder, Ana Maria Panait, Rrraw is winning a growing fan base for its combination of exciting flavours which celebrate Africa's food cultures and unique ingredients. This month sees the launch of two new taste sensations in the brand’s growing product range: Rrraw Red Tart Chocolate - in a Coconut White base and part of the African flavours range, this is an homage to West Africa and its sweet and sour bissap /hibiscus tea; and Rrraw Spekboom Chocolate - the only Spekboom chocolate in the world. Spekboom is an indigenous South-African plant with rare and unique qualities, favoured by black rhinos, elephants, and kudus. Its leaves are edible, have a zesty lemon-like taste and are also surprisingly high in Vitamin C.

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

October 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

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.

Lioness Launch / Leading Botswana premium skincare brand, Organic Naturals Skincare, announces a new sustainable product collaboration

October 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Didintle Moreki, founder, Organic Naturals Skincare (Botswana)

Organic Naturals Skincare, a leading manufacturer of premium skincare products in Botswana, founded by entrepreneur Didintle Moreki, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Faithful to Nature, the South African pioneer in offering conscious consumers a wide range of ethically sourced and sustainable products. This exciting partnership showcases a shared commitment to quality, ethics, and sustainability in the world of skincare.

Lioness Launch / South African upcycling business, plasticity, launches its latest new range of brandable products

October 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Tessa O’ Halloran, founder, plasticity (South Africa)

The need to find sustainable solutions to transforming discarded plastic waste into useful products has never been greater. Discarded plastic waste is a problem for the planet and for humankind as a whole. South African ecopreneur Tessa O’ Halloran, founder of plasticity, is playing her part in finding those solutions and has launched a new range of upcycled products in the form of brandable key tags and fridge magnets!

A new long-term strategic research partnership launched to address the gender data gap on Africa's high-growth women entrepreneurs

October 4, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Partnership agreement signing between Melanie Hawken, founder & CEO of Lionesses of Africa and Farshida Zafar, Director of Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship

On a mission to address the data gap that exists on better understanding high-growth women's entrepreneurship in Africa, particularly on access to funding, Lionesses of Africa BV (a 1.7 million strong network of women entrepreneurs in Africa) and Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship BV (ECE) have launched a new long-term strategic partnership. At an official signing ceremony on 28 September 2023 at the Rotterdam headquarters of ECE, the two partners announced the new partnership. It will kick off with a collaborative research project in the form of a quantitative and qualitative dashboard and report, highlighting the characteristics and drivers of Africa's high-growth women entrepreneurs and providing actionable insights to help bridge the gender gap, especially in the financial landscape.

Lioness Launch / The K3Y launches it’s new name and brand to offer customers human centric business solutions to unlock results

September 3, 2023 Melanie Hawken

The K3Y launches its new name and brand in Africa, with a unique customer offering that integrates cutting edge innovations with human centric business solutions to help individuals and organisations unlock results. A suite of powerful diagnostics tools, as well as solutions, underpinned with a cutting-edge technology platform, allows for tracking measuring and execution of strategy. The addition of The K3Y mind-setting interventions allow for the unlocking of potential for individuals and teams.

Lioness Launch / Botswana skincare brand, Organic Naturals Skincare, launches its Skincare Diaries event dedicated to holistic wellness and self-discovery

August 12, 2023 Melanie Hawken

At Organic Naturals Skincare in Botswana, founder and passionate natural skincare advocate, Didintle Moreki, believes that true beauty comes from within, and self-care is an essential part of nurturing our well-being. Her business and brand is announcing this month the launch of Skincare Diaries, an empowering event dedicated to holistic wellness and self-discovery. The event will be held on 27 August 2023 in Gaborone, Botswana and will encourage attendees to delve deeper into the world of self-care, well-being, and natural beauty.

Lioness Launch / Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and social entrepreneur, visits South Africa to launch her new book

August 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

On the latest stop of her global book tour, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and also the co-founder of impact-driven social enterprise Gorilla Conservation Coffee, launches her new book Walking with Gorillas to South African audiences. Dr Gladys will be visiting the Exclusive Books bookstore in Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg on Monday 7 August, and it promises to be an inspirational evening of story and experience sharing.

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.