Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business

September 29, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Mo’s Crib, a premium sustainable homeware brand founded by sisters Morongwe and Michelle Mokone in Pretoria, South Africa. From humble beginnings making origami at local markets, the company has grown into one of Africa’s leading exporters of handcrafted décor. Using recycled PVC waterpipes and natural materials such as banana bark, cane, and sisal, Mo’s Crib creates globally sought-after baskets, planters, furniture, and ornaments. Today, the brand supplies major international retailers including Crate & Barrel, Target, and Woolworths Home. Committed to social impact, Mo’s Crib empowers over 85 artisans, creating jobs while advancing environmental sustainability and African design innovation. The business was launched in 2019 and today employs 280 people.

Fátima Lorgat, an accessory brand builder celebrating Capulana fabric in Mozambique

May 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Fátima Lorgat, founder, Ohana (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Fátima Lorgat is an entrepreneur and the founder of Ohana in Mozambique. She is also a wife, and a mom of 4 children. She always had a passion for sewing and fabrics, and in 2018 she started to make beach tote bags for family members. By the end of that year, she was approached to sell her beautiful tote bags commercially, and so came up with the idea of creating a Brand. In 2019 she founded Ohana as a business and in April of 2020, expanded her range to start producing protective masks to help prevent Covid19. Thanks to the love and effort that she put into her work, the masks were a success and the brand name started to be well-known for its quality. In early 2022, Ohana reinvented itself and today produces a range of useful and versatile products which use 100% cotton fabric and only good quality Capulana fabric. The main product range includes the Ohana Eco-bags, tote bags, personal and home organizers, and accessories for cooking and kitchen. All Ohana products are made with care to make our clients life a little bit better.

Ararat Tamirat, an Ethiopian ethical lifestyle brand-builder creating jobs

October 30, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Tuba by Ararat, an ethical Ethiopian lifestyle brand, specializing in hand-woven basket-ware for home accessories and textiles.

Ararat Tamirat is an architect and basket weaver, and the founder and ceo of Tuba by Ararat in Ethiopia. She established her business in April 2020, but has already won recognition by the Female in Business Acceleration Program 2022. The focus of the business is on improving the lives of the local women by using their skills and establishing a viable, high quality basket production industry in Ethiopia. Ararat has already created sustainable job opportunities for almost 40 women in rural areas, and has a big vision to employ up to 500 women by the year 2030.

Hortense Mbea, a Cameroonian entrepreneur building an African lifestyle brand

August 1, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Hortense Mbea, founder, Afropian (Cameroon)

Startup Story

Hortense Mbea is a professional interpreter as well as a creative entrepreneur from Cameroon and the founder of lifestyle brand Afropian which was launched in 2017 in in Addis Ababa. A true nomad and multicultural woman, she was born in the USA and lived in many countries, while always staying very connected to Africa. The Afropian brand is Pan African and it gave Hortense the opportunity to bring together her passion for art and creativity and her mission to promote African excellence and unity. She gained international recognition with coverage from Vogue Italy, was invited to take part in prestigious events such as Addis Ababa Fashion Week and many shows and panels. Her vision is for the world to «Wear Africa Proudly », which is the motto of her brand. She fulfills her mission by providing quality, unique pieces which tell many stories of African tradition and are 100% Made in Africa.

Patrícia Vasco, a Mozambican serial entrepreneur creating a brand of handmade, decorative candles

May 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Patricia Vasco, founder of Luminara (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Everyone loves beautiful perfumed candles to light up their homes and create a certain kind of ambiance - they are romantic and atmospheric. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Patricia Vasco, is building a new brand of beautiful, handmade, decorative candles called Luminara. She is also demonstrating that it is possible to build a new brand from scratch with little investment but a lot of creativity.

Cecilia M Kapasula, a South African entrepreneur turning her passion for African fabrics into a great home decor business

August 11, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Cecilia Kapasula, founder of Home Of Sweet Savannah (South Africa)

The big global trend right now for incorporating the beautiful, bold and luxurious textiles created in Africa into home and office decor, is growing rapidly. Harnessing the power of that trend is South African decor entrepreneur, Cecilia Kapasula, founder of Home Of Sweet Savannah, a growing decor brand that is proving a hit with interior designers and home owners alike.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Miminat founder Mimi Shodeinde launches a breath-taking new luxury home accessories collection

June 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat — **Mimi Shodeinde**, founder of Miminat

Miminat, a London based Interior Architecture and Furniture Studio founded in 2014 by the uber talented Nigerian/UK design entrepreneur Mimi Shodeinde, is launching its new breath-taking collection OKUTA on 2 June. The Okuta Collection is inspired by ancient Yoruba stone murals, and explores the organic and natural forms of late 14th century Yoruba design. Its combination of wood, brass, glass, ceramic and gold leaf, embodies the richness that the African continent and Yoruba culture have to offer.

Angela Van Herzeele - The startup story of a South African vintage homeware designer who has battled against the odds to realise her dreams

February 11, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Angela van Herzeele, founder of Angel Rose Trading Company, KZN, South Africa

If there is an example of an African woman entrepreneur who passionately believes in making her business dreams a reality, despite all the challenges that life throws at her, then Angela Heather Van Herzeele is such a woman. Her Angel Rose Trading Company is a testimony to sheer determination, hard work and a great designer’s eye.

Moria Kasher & Christine Tozer - The startup story of the creators of beautiful table linens good enough to wear

November 16, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Christine Tozer, co-founder of Toka Linen (Top left) — **Christine Tozer**, co-founder of Toka Linen (Top left)

Two South African women with a background in fashion are today using their unique design aesthetic and manufacturing experience to create beautiful table linens.

Carrol Boyes – The startup story of an iconic South African designer who built a global homeware brand

August 18, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Carrol Boyes, founder and ceo of Carrol Boyes — **Carrol Boyes**, founder and ceo of Carrol Boyes

This incredibly creative designer with a sculptural flair and an eye for the unusual has taken the global homeware market by storm with her distinctive designs and must-have tableware pieces.

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