Selusiwe Lukhele, an entrepreneur creating a vibrant cafe hub for local people to meet and connect in Eswatini

March 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Selusiwe Lukhele, founder, Happiness Junction Cafe (Eswatini)

Startup Story

Selusiwe Lukhele is an entrepreneur from Eswatini and the founder of Happiness Junction Cafe, an award-winning youth-owned business launched in 2021 and known for its warm hospitality and innovative offerings. A 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards winner, Selusiwe was selected for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed an intensive six-week program focused on business leadership, entrepreneurship, and networking with global change-makers.

Eka Obaigbena, a Nigerian fast-casual dining pioneer

January 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Toasties Limited, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain reimagining the way Africans experience meals on the go

Eka Obaigbena is the founder and ceo of Toasties, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain launched in 2016 in Nigeria that aims to reimagine the way Africans experience meals on the go. Toasties' menu consists primarily of fusion sandwiches, salads, and various specials. Eka is also the Founder and CEO of Board, a food gifting and food experience company that presents edible art to its customers. Before launching her businesses in 2016 and 2020 respectively, Eka began her culinary journey in New York City’s French Culinary Institute (now The International Culinary Center) where she trained as a chef in 2011.

Saajidah and Mubinah Esat, entrepreneurs creating a great Indian food cafe experience in Zimbabwe

April 29, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Saajidah & Mubinah Esat, co-founder, Zen Cafe (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Saajidah Esat and her sister Mubinah are the co-founders of Zen Cafe in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Having being brought up in an Indian home, where the focus was always around food, they spent most of their time whipping up new recipes and cooking for the family. They first ventured into the food industry while living and studying in South Africa. They sold food at a popular Johannesburg food market and catered for several corporate events. Zen Cafe was born out of a desire to create and bring something different to the Zimbabwean market. The cafe employs 6 full time staff, including the 2 sisters and has been in operation for the past 6 months.

Siba Mtongana, a culinary entrepreneur tour de force

January 9, 2022 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

The Siba Co and SIBA - The Restaurant, multifaceted food and hospitality businesses in South Africa

Siba Mtongana is a food authority, restaurateur, The Siba Co-Founder, a television Celebrity Chef, Judge and Mom. From aspiring home cook in the semi-rural Eastern Cape to restaurateur in one of the most prestigious hotel venues on the African continent, there’s simply no stopping the food authority and culinary tour de force that is Siba Mtongana. And it’s not just her loyal fans and patrons who say so. From academics and peers to international industry authorities, judges and newsmakers, the accolades keep accumulating for this humble, acclaimed chef who has her roots firmly grounded in her mom’s kitchen, her proudly South African food heritage, and her family.

Bright Asiimwe Wandera, a serial retail and hospitality entrepreneur in Uganda

December 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Bright Asiimwe Wandera, founder and CEO, Plum Cafe and Restaurant (Uganda)

Startup Story

Bright Asiimwe Wandera is the founder and CEO of Plum Cafe and Restaurant in Uganda. She’s a serial entrepreneur with interests in retail chain and hospitality. She’s an alumnus of Africa Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative and Stanbic Bank Uganda Business Incubator. Bright runs two supermarkets and most recently a high-end restaurant with two branches. Bright founded Plum Cafe and Restaurant this year in February 2021 after testing a restaurant model in 2020 that was attached to one of her supermarkets.

Sofra Istanbul, a recipe for success

February 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Zohra Teke, founder of Sofra Istanbul (South Africa)

Impact Partner Content: Absa

Zohra Teke of Sofra Istanbul in Durban, South Africa, shares her first-hand experience of how Absa can help a restaurant deliver the exotic tastes of Turkey to local food-lovers’ doorsteps.

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