Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga

July 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Gloria Sellwane Phala, founder and Chief Executive Officer, GangaYuj Yoga Studio (South Africa)

Startup Story

Gloria Sellwane Phala is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of GangaYuj Yoga Studio in South Africa. Drawing on more than 20 years of corporate experience, she established the studio in 2023 after completing a sabbatical year in India, where she deepened her practice and understanding of yoga. This transformative period inspired her shift into entrepreneurship upon her return to the workforce. The business is committed to ensuring clients benefit from the profound, transformative impact of yoga. She is currently the sole employee who arranges contract-based outsourcing of yoga instructors.

Divine Ndhlukula, Africa's queen of security

January 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO (Zimbabwe)

100 Lionesses

This Zimbabwean woman tackled the previously male-dominated security industry head on, achieving remarkable success and becoming one of Africa's most inspiring women entrepreneurs. Meet Divine Ndhlukula, the founder of SECURICO, a 100% Zimbabwean and 100% Women owned company.

LIONESS LAUNCH: A new weekly meal-kit service is launched in South Africa for those who want to cook Like A Chef

September 30, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Jolin Judd, founder of Like A Chef (South Africa) — **Jolin Judd**, founder of Like A Chef (South Africa)

For many people, cooking can be a chore and especially if they are not naturally gifted in the kitchen. But in Cape Town, South Africa, entrepreneur Jolin Judd, founder of Like A Chef, has a solution. This month sees her launching her new weekly meal-kits which turn everyone into a proficient cook, with none of the hassle and all the culinary inspiration.

Patricia Majule, a Tanzanian entrepreneur manufacturing unique gifts for party and corporate event planners

March 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania) — **Patricia Majule**, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania)

Trying to find the right company to create a gifting and party favour experience can be a real challenge, but in Tanzania, one woman manufacturer is providing a solution. Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ, is creating a range of gifting and party favour products that are made locally at a great price.

Gaceri Kirimi, a Kenyan entrepreneur building a niche on-demand laundry business for busy people

February 16, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Gaceri Kirimi, co-founder of Destello Laundry Cleaning Services (Kenya) — **Gaceri Kirimi**, co-founder of Destello Laundry Cleaning Services (Kenya)

As entrepreneurs, we all know how difficult it can be to balance work and life commitments, and when it comes to managing household chores such as laundry, it can be difficult without help. That’s where Destello Laundry Cleaning Services comes in, helping Nairobi’s busy professionals and families to deal with the chore of doing laundry each week.

Patience Maame Mensah - The start up story of a Ghanaian entrepreneur on a mission to provide the best home care service delivery to busy, stressed people

December 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Patience Maame Mensah, founder of Indulgence — **Patience Maame Mensah**, founder of Indulgence

Finding a niche that can be filled with a great service or product is key to building a successful business, and in the case of Patience Maame Mensah and her company, Indulgence, she has definitely found that niche. She has recognised that busy people with busy lives need a range of home and personal support services to help them to cope with the inevitable stresses and strains that occur.

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