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Lionesses of Africa

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the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Six Steps to Close the Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be

May 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Consider what unmet goals are gnawing at the back of your mind that are taking up precious headspace. Rather than beat yourself up for not taking action, ask yourself, 'When would now be a good time?' Now right?

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In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Mindful Entrepreneur
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How Journaling Can Help You Sleep and Reduce Your Anxiety

May 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

If you struggle to fall asleep due to an overactive mind, or perhaps you fall asleep easily but wake up in the night with a mind full of racing thoughts, consider introducing the habit of journaling. Journaling is an incredible tool to get those circling thoughts out of your mind and trap them on the page so you can get out of your own way.

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In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Needing People Is Healthy

April 12, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Many moons ago, a colleague described me as being FIERCELY INDEPENDENT. She was challenging my modus operandi. She was kindly admonishing me. I knew this and I understood this. Yet, in some twisted corner of my mind, I construed her admonishment as a compliment.

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Confusion, Frustration and Breakthrough go hand-in-hand

March 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Therefore Frustration = Breakthrough = Excitement!

My coaching business has been a dance of confusion, frustration, and breakthrough. Before I had recognised the pattern, I would throw in the towel and dismiss myself as being out of my depth, not having what it takes, and wholly incapable of closing the gap between where I was and where I needed to be.

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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The Miracle of Synchronicity

March 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Our logical mind is an imbecile. Too slow to see what is happening right in front of of it, only to be gobsmacked when it finally catches up by the clues strewn all around it. This is the story of my logical mind this past week.

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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5 Keys to Unlocking Resilience

March 9, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

What enables some people to emerge from challenges with their lives recreated, and even strengthened, while others crumble in a crisis? This is such a vital question for anyone who is seeking a rewarding relationship with their career, leadership, loved ones, and life if general. We live in a world where things change at unprecedented speeds; and resilience and flexibility are becoming essential life skills, without which we never be able to live beyond our survival zones, let alone in our comfort zones.

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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6 Ways to Optimise Your Well-being

March 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

As I started writing the title to this post, I was merrily typing out the words “6 quick and easy ways to claim back your wellbeing”. As if by intuition, my pointing finger defiantly punched the backspace key. It doesn’t feel quick, and some of it is not easy. Essential, Yes! Very Definitely ‘Yes’. Quick and easy?  Not when you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed by never-ending to-do lists and people who seem to think you’re made of some marvellous stretchy substance that can get to everything.  Creating and maintaining optimal well-being is a goal for the vast majority of people I know, and it is vital to recovering and staving off burnout. And yet, universally, in one way or the other, well-being is something we all struggle with most.

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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The Inner GPS navigation system built into every person

January 13, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle

As a Transformational Life Coach, I’m in the privileged position of listening to people every day and hearing about what troubles them the most. What I’ve noticed is that when there are feelings of overwhelm and obligation, stress is the order of the day.

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In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Are we mindful, vulnerable, and okay NOT being, OK?

December 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nadia Absalom

I find it difficult at times to encapsulate what I would like to share with you. Then the little voice inside always nudges me and asks, “are you practicing what you are teaching? Are you keeping it REAL? Are you living the highest truest version of yourself?

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In Guest Blog Tags Nadia Absalom, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Wild Spaces in Africa

October 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle

As I write this, I’m sitting overlooking a river in a wild space in Africa.  Each year my husband and go on an adventure to a new place and explore an area we haven’t experienced before. Deciding to take a full 23 days off mid-year has become a regular thing for us for the past few years and it’s enriched my life in too many ways to explain.

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In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Smashing the Myth of How Life Works

September 30, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

There’s a common belief that happiness is something you have to look for. I used to believe that too. Eventually after exhausting myself with my affirmations, meditations, journal writing, juicing, fasting, exercising and so on and so on…….. believing that I had to tick all the boxes that the experts told me I had to achieve or else I would be unhappy.

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In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur, Personal Development
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Moving Overwhelm to Well-m

January 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

Do you sometimes feel that, just like your computer, you have too many tabs open? A sense of frazzle - neither here nor there. Too much needing to be done - now! As the year comes to a close, a collective sigh can be felt echoing through our communities. It’s been a tough year or rather couple of years. Change has happened at a fast pace, and many of us have needed to adapt swiftly and move quickly on all fronts - home, work, communities.

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In Guest Blog Tags Ashika Pillay, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Expression not suppression is the path to peace

December 22, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

At the time of writing this blog, I had recently experienced my 64th birthday. I say experienced because it really wasn’t a celebration. My attention and focus were on making myself available for my niece and her family to enjoy her time in South Africa while celebrating her 50th birthday and the very important task of sifting through her late mother’s belongings (my sister). My sister passed 2.5 years ago and Covid prevented her daughter from attending the memorial service or visiting to complete the difficult task of deciding what to do with her belongings. Therefore, my birthday was just another day and all my energy was around holding space for my family.

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In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur, Personal Development
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Overcome your Recency Bias

December 18, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

As we move through the month of December and begin to wrap up 2022, now is a great time to take a moment to pause and reflect on the year that was. It’s something we can easily skip over in the busyness that typically descends on us this time of year, but I encourage you to create some space for yourself to reflect on what went well, what you achieved, what you want to celebrate, and what you want to release before you begin 2023. 

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Look for a Good Feeling

November 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

I feel so happy sharing this blog with you. For a while I have been involved with the 3 Principle community on a global scale and have been involved in getting the 3P Africa interest going. I wrote this blog post for the 3P Africa website, which will be published very soon but I couldn’t wait to share it with you. I would love to hear from you with a message of what you got from this blog. As a part-time writer, I’m still exploring my voice and wondering how things are ‘heard’ by those that read my blog post. So please let me know at sharon@sharoncastle.co.za – I truly love receiving your messages and read every one.

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In Guest Blog Tags Sharon Castle, Mindful Entrepreneur, Personal Development
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Breathe

September 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Deep, slow, rhythmic breathing is a powerful tool when it comes to stress, anxiety and overwhelm. And I get it. Your life is complex, and you have demands being batted at you from all corners of the universe, figuratively, and now thanks to the internet, literally as well. [Thank you Internet]

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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How am I?

August 7, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

It’s Monday morning, it’s been a rough weekend with a sick child, school activities, and your diary for the week ahead looks messy to say the least. As you walk to your favourite coffee spot and muster up the energy to face reality, you bump into someone you know, as you place your order for your regular latte. “How are you doing?” you ask as you patiently wait to pay. You listen somewhat (in)attentively and exchange niceties, as you both wait to get on your way. While by this point in the day, you may have some semblance of an idea of how your friend is, have you checked in on how you are?

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In Guest Blog Tags Ashika Pillay, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Create your underlying theme

June 26, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

Determining what our purpose is in life can be one of the hardest questions that we as humans are compelled to answer. It is the guiding light we seek to help us create value that is meaningful to us far beyond the remuneration, adoration and adulation we may enjoy from our worldly pursuits. Our purpose is also where we are challenged the most.

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In Guest Blog Tags Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Four Thousand Weeks

January 30, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“I have become to myself a land of trouble and inordinate sweat.”

St Augustine in his confessions (here) wrote: “Assuredly I labour here and I labour within myself; I have become to myself a land of trouble and inordinate sweat.”

I labour within myself.

We’ve all seen them - the surveys that ask just how busy we are, how much time we have for a walk in the Park or a chat with our neighbour. The results are all depressingly similar - as the years move on so we become busier and busier. Running at full speed is never enough and as we fall exhausted into bed after yet another day spent at 100mph we have that nagging thought that perhaps we just didn’t achieve all we set out to do when we bounded out of bed that morning.

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In Team Lioness Tags Mindful Entrepreneur
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Embracing the Present

January 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Edna Reis

We constantly trap ourselves in the past or future and forget to live in the present. But the thing is: we have to learn to let go, we need to release the things we no longer need, things that have hurt us, things we will no longer experience. We all know this; we all have read books or came across a quote about it. Psychology has been showing us the facts on the dangers of being stuck in the past and the future.

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In Guest Blog Tags Edna Reis, Mindful Entrepreneur
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Older Posts →

Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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