Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment

January 16, 2026 Melanie Hawken

Gillian Holl, founder, VELD Architects (South Africa)

Gillian Holl, founder of VELD Architects in South Africa, has built a business renowned for creating spaces that serve not as statements but as sanctuaries. It’s an architecture deeply connected to the African landscape, fostering a sense of belonging and calm.

Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management

December 8, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Júlia Silota, founder and CEO, J&G Environment Ltda (Mozambique)

Júlia Silota is the founder and CEO of J&G Environment Ltda, a Mozambican company operating in the environmental field, focused on the purchase and sale of solid waste, and providing solid waste collection services, solid waste management training, and environmental project evaluation. It was founded in August 2020 and began operations in 2023. It employs four people, two full-time and two part-time.

Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses

December 8, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Cláudia Machaieie, founder, Sea Glasses (Mozambique)

Cláudia Machaieie is the founder of Sea Glasses in Mozambique. She is a 28-year-old with a degree in Marine Biology, a postgraduate degree in Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Biology and Conservation Ecology. She has completed several technical courses in monitoring and project management. She began her activity as a volunteer and social activist at the age of 14 and is currently a founding volunteer of SOA Mozambique and a volunteer with Solo Adventures. She has worked in public (IIP), private (SEPPA, Centro Terra Viva), and international organizations (Girl Move Academy, UN - World Food Programme) developing activities in administration, monitoring, and management of humanitarian and environmental programs. Currently, she is the social responsibility coordinator at TOPACK Mozambique.

Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country

December 7, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Matilde Mawelele Rungo, founder, RealityTech Advisory (Mozambique)

Matilde Mawelele Rungo is a digital transformation consultant, cybersecurity specialist, and founder of RealityTech Advisory in Mozambique, where she leads technology-driven projects for businesses and startups. She is also an evangelist and the creator of MTI – A Triad of Hope for Children, an initiative that integrates Evangelism, Technology, and Innovation to empower young people and communities. With a global vision, Matilde is committed to advancing individuals, organizations, and ecosystems through technology, faith, and meaningful social impact. The business was launched in 2024 and today has created jobs for 6 people.

Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country

December 7, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Yanara Tavares Viana, founder, Vila Viana (Mozambique)

Yanara Tavares Viana is an engineer and project manager with over 15 years of experience in procurement, finance, and the development of sustainable solutions. Founder of Vila Viana, an ecological and agro-productive housing project in Catembe, she creates urban models that integrate solar energy, water harvesting and reuse, family farming, and micro-animal farming. Her vision is to combine accessible architecture with practical sustainability, inspiring communities to build in a greener, more resilient, and income-generating way. Yanara is dedicated to developing smart urban solutions for the future of Mozambique and the region.

Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

November 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Isabel Mandofa, founder, Tropicalisa, Lda (Mozambique)

Isabel Mandofa is the founder of Tropicalisa, Lda, a Mozambican agri-food industry business focused on the sustainable transformation of local fruits into high-value-added products. It operates an integrated chain that buys surplus from small producers, processes, freezes and distributes fruit pulps, natural juices, syrups, sauces and frozen fruits, guaranteeing standardized quality, traceability and food safety. Tropicalisa’s core business is to make the most of national fruit, reduce post-harvest losses and supply the market during the off-season, providing practical, healthy and competitive solutions for supermarkets, restaurants, confectioneries, ice cream parlors, hotels and end consumers.

Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation

October 5, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lerato Masuku, director, Bokamo Warona Construction (South Africa)

Lerato Masuku is the visionary director of Bokamo Warona Construction, a 100% black female-owned company based in Daveyton, Benoni. Founded with a passion for quality and community development, the company specialises in general building, maintenance, plumbing, civil works, paving, and general supplies. Under Lerato's leadership, Bokamo Warona Construction has earned a reputation for delivering reliable and professional services, including recent successful projects such as slurry work on the R56 in the Eastern Cape. Lerato is committed to empowering women in the construction industry while growing a business that supports infrastructure and job creation across South Africa. The business was launched in 2016 and has created jobs for 10 people.

Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment

October 5, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Olamide Alade, founder and creative director, Amòké Regal (Nigeria)

Olamide Alade is the founder and creative director of Amòké Regal, a luxury modest Nigerian fashion brand redefining African fashion by weaving cultural heritage into elegance, exclusivity, and decency. With a strong passion for fashion storytelling, she creates exclusive pieces that empower ambitious African women to step confidently into corporate spaces, boardrooms, and on global stages while embracing their cultural identity. Alongside her creative work, Olamide is a Chartered HR Professional and an Associate of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), bringing depth and leadership experience to her entrepreneurial journey.

Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands

August 17, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Mirza Jamal, founder and ceo, MJ Consulting (Mozambique)

With two decades of experience, Mirza Jamal is a recognized professional in the areas of strategic marketing, corporate communications, and public relations, with a career marked by innovation, leadership, and social impact. As founder and ceo of MJ Consulting in Mozambique, she works to develop creative and accessible solutions for strengthening brands, empowering entrepreneurs, and promoting purposeful events.

Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business

August 17, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lovable Dladla, founder, Luvast Bakery (South Africa)

Lovable Dladla is the founder of Luvast Bakery, located in Newcastle, South Africa. She is a self-taught baker and started her business in 2020 with no external funds, building it organically over time. Even though she originally studied engineering, she really found her passion in business, and one of her key motivations as an entrepreneur is to build a thriving business that can help other families in the future by creating jobs.

Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation

July 27, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Gladys Kgorane, founder Caleb’s Farm Cabins (South Africa)

Gladys Kgorane is a visionary entrepreneur and woman of faith, driven by a deep desire to create spaces of healing, rest, and joyful connection. As the founder of Caleb’s Farm Cabins in Potchefstroom, South Africa, she has transformed a quiet piece of land into a peaceful farm destination offering accommodation, events, and wellness retreats. Rooted in purpose and inspired by the Biblical story of Caleb, Gladys is passionate about helping others find peace, celebrate life’s moments, and rediscover hope through nature and hospitality.

Drienie Botes, an entrepreneur empowering women to achieve economic independence through beekeeping

July 27, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Drienie Botes, founder, Meant to Bee (PTY) Ltd (South Africa)

Drienie Botes is an experienced entrepreneur and community upliftment advocate in South Africa, with over 25 years of leadership in business development and social impact. She has founded multiple successful ventures, including a pearl import business and Meant to Bee (PTY) Ltd, a business focused on empowering rural women through sustainable beekeeping and market access. Skilled in strategic planning, international trade, and capacity building, Drienie is passionate about driving economic independence and transforming communities through innovative, purpose-driven enterprises. She launched Meant to Bee in 2021 and today it has created economic opportunities for 36 people.

Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity

July 20, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Tumelo Tshwagong, co-owner, Tshwagong Farm (South Africa)

Tumelo Tshwagong is a co-owner of Tshwagong Farm, a family-owned business focused on livestock and Indigenous vegetable farming, and located in Koster in the Northwest province of South Africa. Tumelo is a passionate female farmer devoted to cultivating change from the ground up. Tshwagong Farm was established in 2021 with Tumelo at the helm as a Managing Director, supported by a team of four. Her work goes beyond farming as she sees it as a form of preservation, a movement to reignite ancestral food sources and confront the growing crisis of food insecurity. She passionately believes that every seed she plants, every field she tends, carries the vision of a resilient, self-sustaining future.

Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga

July 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Gloria Sellwane Phala, founder and Chief Executive Officer, GangaYuj Yoga Studio (South Africa)

Gloria Sellwane Phala is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of GangaYuj Yoga Studio in South Africa. Drawing on more than 20 years of corporate experience, she established the studio in 2023 after completing a sabbatical year in India, where she deepened her practice and understanding of yoga. This transformative period inspired her shift into entrepreneurship upon her return to the workforce. The business is committed to ensuring clients benefit from the profound, transformative impact of yoga. She is currently the sole employee who arranges contract-based outsourcing of yoga instructors.

Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Nondumiso Leshaba, co-founder, LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Nondumiso Leshaba is a distinguished Chartered Bookkeeper and the visionary Managing Director of LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd in South Africa. In both her companies, Nondumiso has been instrumental in shaping their strategic direction. Her dynamic skill set, which ranges from policy writing to graphic design, has enabled her to lead with a unique perspective. Nondumiso's ability to craft comprehensive policies ensures that both LemonSalt and BlueDenim operate with efficiency and compliance, while her flair for graphic design brings a creative edge to the company's branding and marketing efforts. LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd was established in 2019 and registered in 2020. BlueDenim was registered in 2025. The businesses employs 7 people.

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, an entrepreneur on a mission to grow small scale miners around the African continent

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings

Anneline Lucinda Lopis is the sole owner and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings started in 2016, based in Johannesburg and 60% shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) Zambia Limited started in 2019 in Lusaka Zambia. A Mining and Minerals Consulting Firm. Her core business activities are mining and trading of various minerals, which drive her vision of growing small scale miners around Africa.

Elizabeth Karamagi, Linda Chawe, and Sophia Mrimi, three women founders building a specialist HR consulting business in Tanzania

June 28, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Elizabeth Karamagi, Sophia Mrimi and Linda Chawe

Tabono Consult Ltd was established in 2020 in Tanzania to assist companies manage the disruptions from the COVID-19 Pandemic where staff had to be repurposed and other adjustments made in order for those businesses to stay afloat. It is a company driven by women founders Elizabeth Karamagi, Linda Chawe, and Sophia Mrimi, supported by a workforce of 18 people, and today is thriving.

Kelly Jean Valigy, a dynamic marketing and communications professional building a creative powerhouse in Mozambique

June 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Kelly Jean Ouchim Valigy, Founder & General Director, Jean Consulting & Services (Mozambique)

Kelly Jean Ouchim Valigy is a dynamic marketing and creative professional with a strong background in strategic planning and communications. As the Founder & General Director of Jean Consulting & Services in Mozambique, she leads a forward-thinking team that delivers creative marketing solutions tailored to help brands stand out in competitive markets. With extensive experience in marketing and copy editing, Kelly has successfully navigated roles in account management, community engagement, and content creation. Her expertise spans various industries, where she has spearheaded branding initiatives, digital marketing strategies, and impactful campaigns.

Mbali Ndandani and Portia Nondo, two passionate ecosystem builders driving support for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands

June 11, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Portia Nondo and Mbali Ndandani, founders, Portia Nondo and Mbali Ndandani (South Africa)

Zettuu, a marketplace providing business support services for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands that have unique products but do not have the operational capacity to grow their brands. Zettuu was co-founded in 2020 by Portia Nondo and Mbali Ndandani, two South African entrepreneurs whose vision is to create a thriving ecosystem of support for African unique crafts, bringing them from the continent to the world’s customers. Portia is a seasoned entrepreneur and franchisee at McDonald's, and Mbali has worked in marketing, digital, technology and artificial intelligence at Unilever and Lelapa AI.

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