Annie Sibindi Muronda, a disruptive clothing manufacturer with a big vision

November 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Rufaro Garments, an African school uniform manufacturing business making great garments affordable

Annie Sibindi Muronda is the founder and managing director of Rufaro Garments based in South Africa, and has overall executive management responsibility for the company. Annie has a BSc in Actuarial Science from the University of Nebraska and an MBA with a specialization in Finance from DeVry University. She began her career in the financial services space where she consulted at US based global management consulting firms Towers Perrin, Mercer Consulting and Watson Wyatt. It was here that Annie gained valuable experience in solving problems for clients and discovered a talent for operational management of large businesses. After immigrating to South Africa in 2010, Annie joined an actuarial benefits consulting firm as a senior consultant where she helped establish it as rising star in the retirement fund valuation and administration space.

Adenike Ogunlesi, Africa’s foremost children’s fashion and retail entrepreneur

November 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Ruff ’n’ Tumble, a trailblazing premium children’s clothing brand on the African continent

Adenike Ogunlesi, who has been redefining and blazing the trail in the children’s fashion industry with over 35 years’ experience in the Fashion and Retail Business, is the founder and Creative Director of Africa’s leading Premium children’s clothing brand, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble. Ruff ‘n’ Tumble has shared happiness with over a million children and families across the globe, because she dared to dream and pursue her vision fearlessly.

Carla Pinto, a Mozambican entrepreneur creating a popular blogging platform for mothers and mothers-to-be

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Carla Pinto, founder of Arco-Íris & Borboletas (Mozambique)

Startup Story

When you are a new mom, getting access to great quality information and resources, combined with insights and opinions from other moms is so useful. So in Mozambique, one woman entrepreneur is creating the ultimate, go-to resource for parents to be and those who are already on their family raising journey. Carla Pinto, founder of Arco-Íris & Borboletas, is creating a safe space for the sharing of information and feedback so that moms and dads can learn from each other and get access to great resources too.

Jamilla and Fierdowsah Jacobs, two women entrepreneurs bringing world-class kids accessories to Namibia’s trend conscious parents

May 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Jamilla and Fierdowsah Jacobs, founders of Kids Emporium Namibia

Every proud parent knows how exciting it is to shop for their children, but it is often hard to find just the right item of clothing or furniture that is both practical and trendy. In Windhoek, Namibia, two sister entrepreneurs have filled the gap with their beautiful retail store, Kids Emporium Namibia. It stocks a wealth of must-have products to suit the needs of babies and toddlers, whilst fulfilling the needs of moms and parents to be.

Sharika Punwasi, an entrepreneur building a proudly South African kidswear brand with a strong Mauritius connection

December 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sharika Punwasi, founder of My Cotton Tree (South Africa/Mauritius) — **Sharika Punwasi**, founder of My Cotton Tree (South Africa/Mauritius)

Harnessing the power of partnerships is at the heart of many successful businesses. For Sharika Punwasi, founder of high-end kids fashion brand, My Cotton Tree, her partnerships were found in both South Africa and Mauritius, harnessing the best of skills and expertise in both markets.

Beatha Shitemba, a Namibian entrepreneur who is brightening up children’s nurseries across Namibia

January 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia) — **Beatha Shitemba**, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia)

Any design conscious parent in Africa knows how difficult it can be to find great, high quality children’s decor items for the nursery. But in Namibia, entrepreneur Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies, has the solution.

Gwendolyne Gosselin, a South African entrepreneur turning her passion for Shweshwe fabrics into a high impact community childrenswear and toy brand

November 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Gwendolyne Gosselin, founder of Mathilde & Co. (South Africa) — **Gwendolyne Gosselin**, founder of Mathilde & Co. (South Africa)

Resourcefulness is a key trait needed by most entrepreneurs, and in the case of Gwendolyne Gosselin, founder of Mathilde & Co., that translated into learning how to sew. Today her unique brand of children’s clothing and toys, all made from Shweshwe fabrics, is winning fans at home and abroad. Importantly, it is also helping to change lives closer to home in her local community.

Yolie Thela, a South African entrepreneur creating unique baby clothing that celebrates her love of African prints

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby (South Africa) — **Yolie Thela**, founder of GloryBaby (South Africa)

The global market for beautifully made, colorful and fun baby clothes that are loved by babies and moms alike is growing, and particularly in Africa. Tapping into that growing market opportunity is South African entrepreneur, Yolie Thela, founder of GloryBaby, with her proudly South African prints brightening up the wardrobes of babies across the country and the continent.

Miyoba Buumba, a Zambian entrepreneur taking her passion for African design and turning it into a distinctive homeware and accessories brand

June 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Miyoba Buumba, founder of Mwabonwa Designs (Zambia) — **Miyoba Buumba**, founder of Mwabonwa Designs (Zambia)

Often a business idea stems from a personal passion, and in the case of Miyoba Buumba, founder of Mwabonwa Designs in Zambia, that passion came from her interest in proudly African design. Today, her brand is a reflection of her own design inspiration and her love of African style and culture.

Narcissi Madisha, a South African fashionpreneur creating stylish and on-trend clothes for young girls

May 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Narcissi Madisha, founder of Kameo Kids (South Africa) — **Narcissi Madisha**, founder of Kameo Kids (South Africa)

Moms and daughters alike know what fun fashion and shopping for great clothes can be, and Narcissi Madisha, founder of Kameo Kids, has just the brand for them. She is creating fashionable yet comfortable clothes for young girls who want to express their own individual style from a young age.

Meet 8 women building Africa's trendiest baby and children's clothing brands

January 31, 2016 Melanie Hawken

If you’re in the market for trendy, quality-assured clothing and accessory products for your children, be sure to look out for these amazing female entrepreneurs and their equally impressive clothing lines. With a unified ethos focused on bolstering African design, production and employment, you’re guaranteed to have your little one strutting around the playground in some pretty slick and ethical threads.

Shingai Nyagweta - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur passionate about creating vibrant children’s clothing celebrating local textiles

December 15, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Shingai Nyagweta, founder of KuNa Kids — **Shingai Nyagweta**, founder of KuNa Kids

Finding great children’s clothing that appeals to both the young ones and the parents, and which at the same time celebrates the vibrancy of African textiles, has now been made so much easier. South African entrepreneur and designer, Shingai Nyagweta, founder of KuNa Kids, has built a niche children’s clothing company that embraces the uniquely local shweshwe fabrics, but incorporated into funky and practical designs.