Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity

July 20, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Tumelo Tshwagong, co-owner, Tshwagong Farm (South Africa)

Startup Story

Tumelo Tshwagong is a co-owner of Tshwagong Farm, a family-owned business focused on livestock and Indigenous vegetable farming, and located in Koster in the Northwest province of South Africa. Tumelo is a passionate female farmer devoted to cultivating change from the ground up. Tshwagong Farm was established in 2021 with Tumelo at the helm as a Managing Director, supported by a team of four. Her work goes beyond farming as she sees it as a form of preservation, a movement to reignite ancestral food sources and confront the growing crisis of food insecurity. She passionately believes that every seed she plants, every field she tends, carries the vision of a resilient, self-sustaining future.

Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting

July 20, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In the book, Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business, author Liz Elting, one of the most celebrated and successful women in America, has created a guide for how to not only dream big, but also win―both in business and in life.

What we're loving this week

July 20, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

In this week’s spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, we are showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable, quality products that discerning and impact-driven customers want to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, a business creating beautiful floral arrangements and gift boxes; Dvyn Treat Batamba, a great growing coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia Banda Tambatamba, and assisting SMEs in the country with tailored coffee machinery solutions and premium fresh roasted coffee beans; The 1964 Brand in Nigeria, founded by Olakunmi Oni, a fashion business that proudly promotes self-care through striking minimalist clothing for the modern woman; Mapholo Ratau, founder of Ledikana in South Africa, a business creating high quality, contemporary clothing designs that are a celebration of South African culture; and Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of the AAKS brand in Ghana, a luxury handmade woven handbag brand delighting customers around the world.

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.

Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

July 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Igaaza Creations, a Uganda-based social enterprise promoting literacy through children’s storybook publishing and capacity building

Dr Margaret Kemigisha is the founder and CEO of Igaaza Creations, a Uganda-based social enterprise that promotes literacy through the publishing of children’s storybooks, offers social research consulting, and builds capacity among fresh graduates. Her work bridges development and applied research, supporting governments, development organizations, and the private sector with evidence-based solutions and creative tools for impact.

Leadership Today: A Focus on Women

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Why Investing in Your Leadership Matters — A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the introduction of a Women in Leadership course at WITS Business School. It got me thinking about a question I often hear: “Is a leadership course really worth it?”

The power of social media screening in high-level recruitment

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

Background — A leading recruiter in South Africa was tasked with filling a critical vacancy for a senior-level IT developer at a major fintech firm. The position had remained open for months due to a significant shortage of highly skilled IT professionals in the country. Pressure was mounting to secure a candidate with the right blend of expertise, leadership, and innovation.

Designing with Purpose: Creating an Inner Circle that Matches Your Mission

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

There are seasons in life when growth feels like acceleration. There are others when it feels like pruning. But in every season, one thing remains constant: who walks with you matters just as much as where you are going.

Performance Management: Measuring the ROI of Process Improvements

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

"In business, every decision is an investment. ROI is how we learn if that investment was smart." – Melinda Emerson

Process improvements aren’t just about making workflows smoother or reducing frustration—they are business decisions meant to deliver real value. To understand the effectiveness of those improvements, it is a good practice to measure their return on investment (ROI). Doing so helps justify the change, builds confidence, and informs future decisions.

What we're loving this week

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

In this week’s spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, we are showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable, quality products that discerning and impact-driven customers want to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Helen Viljoen, founder of Nebü, a transparently priced, pure investment-grade gold jewellery brand inspired by and made in South Africa; Wendren Setzer, founder of The Wren Design located in South Africa, a sustainable manufacturing lifestyle accessories brand using reclaimed strong paper; Shop Soko, co-founded by Ella Peinovich, Gwendolyn Floyd, and Catherine Mahugu, a jewellery brand empowering artisans in Kenya; Ruff 'n' Tumble, an indigenous premium brand for quality children’s clothing, shoes and accessories in Nigeria, founded by Adenike Ogunlesi; and Dounia Home, the innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor brand founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper.

After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In her new book, After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup, entrepreneurship expert Julia Austin shares battle-tested strategies to help founders and startup joiners build their venture from the ground up.

Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Sunshine Cinema, Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network, bridging storytelling, activism and youth empowerment

Sydelle Willow Smith is a storyteller, impact producer, and co-founder of Sunshine Cinema—Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network. A 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award finalist, Sydelle’s work bridges storytelling and activism, empowering youth in under-resourced communities to become media entrepreneurs and drive dialogue through film. With a background in African Studies and documentary filmmaking, she is passionate about reclaiming narrative spaces and amplifying voices from the margins.

Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Nondumiso Leshaba, co-founder, LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nondumiso Leshaba is a distinguished Chartered Bookkeeper and the visionary Managing Director of LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd in South Africa. In both her companies, Nondumiso has been instrumental in shaping their strategic direction. Her dynamic skill set, which ranges from policy writing to graphic design, has enabled her to lead with a unique perspective. Nondumiso's ability to craft comprehensive policies ensures that both LemonSalt and BlueDenim operate with efficiency and compliance, while her flair for graphic design brings a creative edge to the company's branding and marketing efforts. LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd was established in 2019 and registered in 2020. BlueDenim was registered in 2025. The businesses employs 7 people.

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, an entrepreneur on a mission to grow small scale miners around the African continent

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings

Startup Story

Anneline Lucinda Lopis is the sole owner and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings started in 2016, based in Johannesburg and 60% shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) Zambia Limited started in 2019 in Lusaka Zambia. A Mining and Minerals Consulting Firm. Her core business activities are mining and trading of various minerals, which drive her vision of growing small scale miners around Africa.

The Backbone of Great Leadership: Owning Your Role

July 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

Leadership is not about titles, authority, or being in charge. It’s about taking ownership. At the heart of every successful team or business lies one powerful trait: accountability. When leaders lead by example and take full responsibility for their actions, their words carry weight and their teams thrive.

The critical importance of verification - lessons from a high-profile qualification fraud

July 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

In today’s competitive and increasingly scrutinised hiring landscape, verifying a candidate’s qualifications isn’t just a formality, it’s a vital safeguard for organisations and the broader community. The recent case of Zholia Alemi serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences that can occur when due diligence is overlooked.

The Mid-Year Mentor Check-In: Auditing Your Growth and Realigning for Impact

July 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

We are officially at the midpoint of the year — that sacred space between what was and what is yet to be. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years as a woman who builds, mentors, and leads — it’s that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design. Intentional design.

Performance Management: Setting Up Simple and Effective Quality Assurance Processes

July 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” – Steve Jobs

Quality assurance (QA) is often associated with complex systems or highly regulated industries—but every business, regardless of size, benefits from having simple and effective QA processes. Quality assurance isn't just about avoiding mistakes—it's about consistently meeting customer expectations, building trust, and improving outcomes.

What we're loving this week

June 29, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

In this week’s spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, we are showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable, quality products that discerning and impact-driven customers want to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Hadija Jabiri, founder and MD of GBRI Business Solutions in Tanzania, an entrepreneur committed to making agricultural production a sustainable and profitable business through empowering smallholder farmers through her business and Eat Fresh brand; Taíla Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique, an entrepreneur creating the most exquisite fashion accessories; Doron Shaltiel, founder of Quazi Design in Eswatini, a company changing the perception of dealing with waste paper through world-class handcrafts; Selassie Atadika, founder of Midunu Chocolates in Ghana, a chocolatier creating beautiful, handcrafted chocolates; and Samantha Skyring, founder of Oryx Desert Salt in South Africa, a growing brand of naturally organic, crystal-white salt harvested from the vast Kalahari Desert.

Let’s rewrite the ‘good’ businesswoman narrative

June 29, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jeni-Anne Campbell

“It is time to remove the unconscious biases associated with being a “good businesswoman”.

I consider myself a good businesswoman, but defining what that means to other people isn't always easy. Out of curiosity, I turned to Google and was surprised to see the glaring and unsettling differences between its definition of a good businessman and a good businesswoman.

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