Kilamba Welwitschia Manuel, an entrepreneur in Angola celebrating a love of handicrafts

June 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kilamba Welwitschia Manuel, founder of Welila Cantelier (Angola)

Startup Story

Everyone loves to receive a handcrafted gift that has been made with love and care. In Angola, entrepreneur Kilamba Welwitschia Manuel, founder of Welila Cantelier, is creating unique gifts for children that are delighting parents and little ones alike.

13 Amazing women behind South African craft gin

August 22, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Source: The Gin Box | 16th August 2018

The South African craft gin industry is growing steadily, with women taking a leading role in this exciting industry. For Women’s Month The Gin Box recognised just a few of the sensational, creative and determined women behind craft gin. The Gin Box, is South Africa's 1st Craft Gin Club delivers craft gin, local tonics, gourmet snacks to your door. Subscribe monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly.

VIDEO: Lizl Naude, a South African entrepreneur turning trash into treasure

May 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Source: CGTN Africa | Published on May 5, 2017

Lizl Naude is a South African entrepreneur working to change perceptions about waste. She creates unique pieces of furniture from discarded materials or junk. Her creations also help save the planet at the same time. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more from Cape Town.

Entrepreneur Advice from Daniela Wingate - Don’t underestimate yourself

January 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Daniela Wingate, founder of Heirloom Treasury (South Africa) — **Daniela Wingate**, founder of Heirloom Treasury (South Africa)

Don’t underestimate yourself....

".... and don’t let other people who tell you that you can’t do something entrepreneurial get to you. I read a wonderful Chinese proverb that says “The person who thinks it can’t be done, can’t interrupt the person who is doing it”. I think this is a really important message because everyone operates from their own personal level of fear of the unknown, but remember that it is their fear not yours, so just be strong and know what you want, and keep focusing on that end goal."

- Daniela Wingate is the founder of The Heirloom Treasury in Johannesburg, South Africa. Daniela produces a range of lovingly hand-made, carefully selected and beautifully displayed stationery and gift items that reflect the art of fine craftsmanship in Africa. The Heirloom Treasury sets out to create gifts that people would like to keep for a lifetime and to then pass them on to others.

PODCAST: Agata Karolina, perfumier and founder of House of Gozdawa, talks scents

November 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Agata Karolina, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa) — **Agata Karolina**, founder of House of Gozdawa (South Africa)

LoA met with talented South African perfumier, Agata Karolina, to talk about what it takes to harness Africa's most evocative natural ingredients and create a truly exquisite and unique range of pure fragrances that each tell a story.

PODCAST: White Rabbit Days founder Helen Andrews talks laser cutting to create beautiful jewellery

November 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Helen Andrews, founder of White Rabbit Days (South Africa) — **Helen Andrews**, founder of White Rabbit Days (South Africa)

LoA had the opportunity to chat with Helen Andrews, the creative founder of White Rabbit Days, at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in October. Her unique jewellery design company uses laser cutting techniques to craft astonishingly beautiful pieces from a range of materials from leather to brass.

PODCAST: Benji & Moon, your cats and dogs favourite designer!

November 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Hanneke Schutte & Karen Carr, co-founders of Benji and Moon

LoA recently had the pleasure of meeting co-founders Hanneke Schutte and Karen Carr of Benji and Moon, a wonderful South African startup creating beautiful handcrafted products for your beloved cats and dogs. At the recent Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair in Johannesburg, LoA chatted to Karen who shared the exciting journey the pair are currently on in launching their great company and products. Listen to our interview….

Daniela Wingate - The startup story of an entrepreneur with a passion for handmade gifts that become tomorrow’s heirlooms

May 31, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Walking into Daniela Wingate’s flagship Heirloom Treasury store is a wonderful experience, and a real celebration of lovingly hand-made, carefully selected and beautifully displayed stationery and gift items that reflect the art of fine craftsmanship in Africa.

Young entrepreneurs supported with a creative showcase at Kamers Johannesburg

April 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Kamers Autumn 2015 at St John's School in Johannesburg

The rising consumer interest in young, creative startups and the appeal of the artisan 'maker & crafter' phenomenon is being acknowledged by the Kamers creative pop-up exhibitions and showcases. The Kamers Young Entrepreneurs Initiative is a conscious move to provide local, young and talented entrepreneurs with a subsidised exhibition opportunity at the hugely successful Kamers series of events across the country.

Lisa Ackroyd - The startup story of a South African hand-crafted leather accessory brand builder

March 18, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Lisa Ackroyd, founder of Colony, South Africa — **Lisa Ackroyd**, founder of Colony, South Africa

There is something wonderfully evocative about wandering through Lisa Ackroyd’s incredible Johannesburg-based Colony store and studio, and seeing at first-hand the most beautiful and meticulously hand-crafted leather accessories being made. The sights, sounds and smells of leather being hand-worked by Lisa and her dedicated team of craftspeople, all of whom have been trained by her, are truly memorable.

Hottest Handbags on the Planet – Now Woman-Made in Africa

January 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken

L-R: Hanneli Rupert, Zainab Ashadu, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Buki Akib, Abai Schulze — L-R: Hanneli Rupert, Zainab Ashadu, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Buki Akib, Abai Schulze

2015 looks set to be an exciting year for African luxury brands, with many confidently announcing themselves on the global scene with a bang. If your weakness is handbags, then there is no better time to add a luxurious, hand-crafted African-made piece to your collection. Meet 5 fresh, women-led brands who are successfully re-interpreting ancient design, centuries-old craftsmanship and unique materials into the perfect Afro-luxe accessory. All crafted sustainably, produced ethically and rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility. What's not to love!

Quote of the Day

January 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sara Abera, founder of Muya, Ethiopia — **Sara Abera**, founder of Muya, Ethiopia

"Recent history has had a negative impact on the world's perception of Ethiopia," adds Sara. "By exporting our cultural heritage and know-how, we hope to show the world that there is much more to our country than drought and food shortages."

- Sara Abera founded Muya Ethiopia in 2005 to introduce the world to the rich heritage of traditional Ethiopian weaving, whilst incorporating modern design trends. Sara also wanted to bring together and retrain Ethiopian weavers and craftsmen, so they could work in improved conditions, supplying high-end markets in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Sara employees over 120 craftsmen and women in Addis Ababa. Her socially-responsible model resulted in Muyo becoming the first Ethiopian company to obtain the coveted International Fair Trade Association membership.

Zikhona Tefu - The startup story of a talented handmade soap crafter

November 18, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Zikhona Tefu, founder of O’live Handmade Soaps — **Zikhona Tefu**, founder of O’live Handmade Soaps

This Cape Town handmade soap maker harnesses the unique natural qualities of indigenous herbs and plants from the world famous Cape Floral Kingdom to produce world-class skincare products.