the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Lelemba Phiri, Enygma Ventures Operating Partner and Fund Manager
Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the importance of mental health was being highlighted and the crisis has amplified its importance even further. As business owners and investors, we are not exempt from the compounding effects of poor mental health if we do not take the time to understand these issues and how they can negatively impact us, our businesses and families.
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Every year, the first week in August is a time of reflective celebration for me. I celebrate the choices I made and the mistakes I didn’t. I take this time to exhale and be proud of my story.
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by Catia Mondlane, Founder Estética & Cosméticos
When I decided to open a natural cosmetics firm, I was aware that I really had to study and understand at all levels what I was getting myself into. Merely absorbing what people say or think about a certain product they’ve used or had previous unpleasant experiences with wouldn’t get me as far as I wanted. Without discarding how important those were and how they could influence the business’s progression, I really needed to deepen many aspects of each market to bring the ideal visionary concept to life.
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by Dr Ashika Pillay
Most of us are in some way pre-occupied, occupied, or think often about physical fitness, exercise, keeping fit, eating well (even though we may not really..). The physical side of fitness, strength, vitality, and resources - yes? Have you ever wondered if you are looking at, and working on the other aspects of your life with respect to building strength and vitality? What about the mental, emotional, spiritual dimensions as an example?
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by Mandisa Makubalo, Unlimited Experiences
Every business leader agrees that INNOVATION is important, yet they cannot agree on what it means? It has become a rather confusing buzzword which has been positioned in a very complex way as it comes in many flavours.
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by Lori Milner
“This is an economy based on connection. Can you be heard, can you connect, can you be trusted?”
— Seth Godin
Still showing up for online meetings with the camera off? Here’s why you seriously need to reconsider…
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by Paula Quinsee
I’m hearing so many couples say that there’s not much they can do when it comes to date nights with being in lockdown. That’s because traditionally when it comes to date nights, the majority of couples have resorted to dinner at their favourite restaurant, or maybe even a movie and popcorn thrown in too – it was quick and easy. However, being in lock down, we are not able to go to restaurants and movies anymore so it’s become harder for couples to implement date nights and they are needing to be much more creative.
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by Kabira Dewan
We are inevitably heading to the so called “new normal way of doing business” but I must admit I am still spinning with all the creativity and positive energy that I experienced during Lockdown.
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by Dr Ashika Pillay
“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind”
— Jim Morrison
Social media is pervasive. Even the fact that you are reading this - is evidence of how much content is out there. The question is, are you “choice-full” about what you consume or are you a victim to relentless barrage of news items, posts about other people’s lives, polarized journalism, political agenda, and conspiracy theories.
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by Lori Milner
The most important habit I have developed over the years that has given me more time in my day, more ‘me time’ and more energy, it’s this – waking up earlier. This is sacred time when no one else is awake and it’s the only gap I have in my day to truly focus on developing myself. Self-leadership can’t be found in a one day seminar or a book you read a few years ago, it is a daily discipline. Now, no one is going to give you this time. It has to be consciously carved into your day. I know you are thinking ‘It’s easier said than done’ – fair enough. So here are some tips on how to actually get yourself to wake earlier.
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by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker
It’s not easy to maintain self-control, especially when things are difficult. Personally, I’ve found life very difficult over the past few months with the pandemic, lockdown and load shedding in South Africa. I’ve noticed that many people have abandoned their diets and have had difficulty staying focussed on their business objectives. So how can we keep motivated and working towards our goals?
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by Brigette Mashile
Why don’t we make masks for sale? That was the message from my mom recently. I decide to call her to talk to her about my thoughts. Her question is on point, this seems to be the only item anyone with a sewing machine should be doing currently. Ignore all the wedding, graduation, party or any other event outfits you had orders on; if the last time you touched your sewing machine is 10 years ago… now it’s the time to bring it out again. There is an advert flyer I say it said South Africa needs 36 million masks and you can get to make some of them. What a number!
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by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker
A few years ago, I experienced a burnout. I developed a stress-induced autoimmune disease and suffered from chronic fatigue for three years. It had a significant effect on my life. Lately, with South Africa being in lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I have noticed a few similarities and differences between that period of my life and now.
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by Dr. Linda Zuze, founder and director, Chimango Research
As a researcher, I get to wake up every day and to ask questions for a living. One of the most consistent findings that I’ve encountered over the years is that women’s success benefits a lot of people around them. Children have a better chance of attending school, being fed and living in a safe environment. It is true that there is far greater recognition about the importance of the gender angle when discussing inequality than there has been in the past.
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by Mbalenhle Ndaba
A positive aggression journey is to breathe your way into a peaceful state. Aside from spiritual paradigms about peace and harmony, which I am convinced are the only lasting way to sustain peace, there are several things we can do to enter a more relaxed state. In the journey of positive aggression, every individual should know how to master their emotional equilibrium. Winners do not dwell on what is wrong, they work on what is next.
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by Claire Keet Pollock and Sinal Govender, Co-Founders of pop.law
Like choosing the person you marry or have babies with, choosing a business partner is not a decision to be taken lightly. The romance of any honeymoon period wears off, but none so quickly as the business partnership honeymoon. If you’re a fast moving entrepreneur, then you’ll know that seizing opportunities and getting some skin in the game fast is extremely important. This means that your relationship with your co-founder/s will need to evolve quickly. Moving out of the fun ideation phase of a business into difficult startup territory puts massive pressure on people who are in business together. The foundations of your partnership will become really important and it helps to have at least spoken about some of the following things.
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by Ronel Jooste
Many business owners find the invoicing process quite tedious and this is also a process that many businesses neglect. Invoicing is, however, a critical process for your cash flow management.
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by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker
In the first week of 2020, I drove from my home in Johannesburg to Durban to spend a week interviewing my grandmother about her life for a book. It was fascinating to hear about how life was as a teenager for my grandmother during the Second World War in England.
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by Dr Ashika Pillay
It’s not just the virus that’s contagious…
With the advent of COVID-19, most people have become familiar with concepts related to infectious disease, how viruses are spread and transmitted. However, beneath the real threat of the virus and its impact on our health and wellbeing, lurks another infectious disease. Anxiety and fear are real threats that pose a massive risk to us.
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by Julia Ranzani
Every now and then when I check the CORONAVIRUS WORLDOMETER or hear NEWS ABOUT COVID-19. I get this ice cold fear running down my spine. I can’t help it, my mind jumps to horrific images inspired by silly doomsday action movies. So for a moment I’m overwhelmed with CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY.
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