Lioness Launch / Pristine Home Interiors launches its new showroom and interior design service for discerning clients in South Africa

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

A South African black-owned small business since 2015, Pristine Home Interiors has had a singular goal since its inception; to create signature and statement pieces and spaces. Each design in its showroom has been personally selected by the company’s boutique team with the South African lifestyle and aesthetic in mind. Founder Samukelisiwe Moralo, together with her co-founders Sthembile Ndaba and Sphamandla Ndaba have carefully curated a selection of designs that reflect their incredible country and way of life. Pristine Home Interiors is launching its new showroom based in the trendy design district of Kramerville in South Africa, with an Interior Design service that offers custom made furniture at a reasonable price.

Lioness Launch / Themba Travel launches The Beautiful Mix Tour experience for visitors to South Africa

March 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Themba Travel, founded by entrepreneur Chantal Potgieter, designs and offers transformational tours to give guests an authentic South African experience. The company offers tours in Cultural, Conservation, and Volunteering within South Africa, and is intentional in what it wants visitors to see and experience as it takes time in crafting our tours. The company is launching The Beautiful Mix tour, a combination of three main experiences (Cultural, Community, and Conservation) This 12 day, 11-night tour is designed to give guests a taste of the diverse culture, connect them with local community projects, and experience a Safari within a wildlife conservation area. It is also a great opportunity to explore the best of cosmopolitan Cape Town in the south and the best of the north in Johannesburg.

Lioness Launch / Independent publishing house, LovingKindness Boma in South Africa, launches new children’s books

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

LovingKindness Boma is an independent Publishing House of Mindful and Diverse books for children, launched by Swaady Martin in South Africa. It creates and sell children's books that entertain, educate and enrich the whole family. This month sees the launch of 7 books that will bring joy and understanding to readers.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s luxury skincare brand, L’abeille, launches its new IonActive Deep Cleansing Brush

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

L’abeille, the South African luxury skincare brand founded by entrepreneur Karen Potgieter, has built a reputation for combining exceptional luxury skincare experiences with science-proven actives. This month sees the launch of its new IonActive Deep Cleansing Brush, which has a cleansing action that lifts even the most stubborn of impurities, providing a much deeper clean than your hands alone can. The brush has three different speed settings which allow you to set it at a speed that suits your skin sensitivity and area you are cleansing. The more gentle the vibration, the better it will be on sensitive skin and delicate face areas.

Lioness Launch / Botswana’s Naga Earth launches a new service importing fine quality natural cosmetics ingredients for local manufacturing

February 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Mishingo Aaron, founder of Naga Earth (Botswana)

The luxury handcrafted African luxury bodycare brand from Botswana, Naga Earth, founded by entrepreneur Mishingo Aaron, is on a mission to show the Africa it knows, by celebrating the continent’s rich diversity in natural resources through skin care. The company is launching a new service with the department name, NAGA NATURALS, which will see it importing fine quality natural cosmetics ingredients that can be used in the manufacturing of cosmetic products.

Lioness Launch / Kaizene launches a new Shared Services Solution for women entrepreneurs and SMEs in Cote d’Ivoire

December 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kaizene, based in Cote d’Ivoire and founded by entrepreneur Lynda Aphing-Kouassi, has built up a reputation for helping companies and organizations to optimize their human capital, improve their services and their quality approach. To achieve this goal, Kaizene has been offering various training and coaching modules and courses for several years. This month sees the launch of a new Shared Services Solution specifically for women entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Lioness Launch / ASPIRE Luxury Magazine launches two new digital features

November 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bella Ikeme, founder of ASPIRE Luxury Magazine (Nigeria)

For all those lovers of luxury brands and products on the African continent, ASPIRE Luxury Magazine in Nigeria, founded by entrepreneur Bella Ikeme, is already a destination of choice for online readers. This month sees the launch of two new digital features which aim to share more positive narratives about African luxury brands and showcase some of the most exciting luxury brands to emerge from the continent.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s mi butter launches its new range of blended butters for time conscious cooks

November 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Vhongani Shumba, founder of mi butter (South Africa)

Every professional and home chef knows what a difference butter, herbs, spices and seasonings can make to the preparation of any delicious meal. But buying and preparing all those individual ingredients can be expensive and time consuming. In South Africa, entrepreneur and food lover, Vhongani Shumba, founder of mi butter, has the solution for all home cooks. She has launched her new range of flavoured, blended butters, ready to add new taste sensations to the preparation of any meal.

Lioness Launch / Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions launches its new #WONDER Initiative in South Africa

November 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Josephine Katumba, founder of Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions (South Africa)

Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions, founded by Josephine Katumba, is an urban agriculture social enterprise based in Johannesburg, South Africa, whose mission is to reconcile city dwellers to their food and environment through urban agriculture. The #WONDER initiative is launching this month which invites city dwellers to experience the #Wonder of food. Whether you have a small balcony space or a backyard, Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions will assist you in creating your own edible wonderland.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Lilly Loompa Creative launches its new My Africa Lap Desk

November 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa Creative (South Africa)

Lilly Loompa Creative is a South African brand known to many eco-conscious homeware consumers for its inventive hipcycling approach to transforming discarded waste into design conscious items for people to love. Founder, Lizl Naude, has just launched the latest must-have product which is already getting people talking - the My Africa Lap Desk. This portable piece of furniture is just the thing for home workers who want to create a comfortable yet stylish desk solution.

Lioness Launch / Ostibel Africa releases its new range of Helichrysum skincare products

November 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lebitso Ramphore, founder of Ostibel Africa

Ostibel Africa is a Holistic Beauty and Wellness brand founded by Lebitso Ramphore. Proudly made in Africa from indigenous, wildly-crafted, natural, and organic ingredients, the Ostibel Africa range of products are for dry, sensitive, combination, and allergy-prone skin types. If you’re sensitive to perfumed products or love natural skincare, you’ve come to the right beauty and wellness home.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Ataraxia Lifestyle Group launches its new Luxury Concierge Services

October 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Botsang Mdluli, founder of Ataraxia Lifestyle Group (South Africa)

According to South African entrepreneur, Botsang Mdluli, founder of Ataraxia Lifestyle Group, everyone knows that time is of the essence, because it’s the one thing in this world you can’t get back. That’s why she is launching a new Luxury Concierge Service to help busy individuals, families, and corporations in Africa and around the world with everything from buying and couriering a last minute gift, obtaining coveted theatre tickets, running personal errands, and so much more.

Lioness Launch / Pathway in Angola launches new digital delivery app

October 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Luisa Senda, founder of Pathway in Angola, has just announced the launch of a new digital delivery app aimed at helping people and companies to sell and advertise their products to customers. Pathway is a virtual store selling smartphones and computers and extra digital services, including providing software development for customers.

Lioness Launch / One on One Coaching by Beyond the Dress

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Successful author and coach, Lori Milner is passionate about empowering women and equipping diverse teams with the tools and skills to fulfill their potential in their careers and personal lives. In working to fill the gap between the roles, demands, and challenges of the new working world, Lori’s full-service consultancy, Beyond the Dress (BTD), helps individuals to build harmony into their personal and professional lives. This month, she announced that one on one coaching will now be available.

Lioness Launch / A new Mozambican accessory brand launches with a new range of designer masks

October 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Seeing a gap in the marketplace in Mozambique, entrepreneur Mónica de Sousa Mahanjane has launched a new accessory brand, Pretoóla, with a range of stylish ties, berets and lapels in stylish designs, complete with matching masks.

Lioness Launch / Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka launches new Team Gorilla Song to celebrate World Gorilla Day

September 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of CTPH (Conservation Through Public Health) and Gorilla Conservation Coffee launched the premiere of a great Team Gorilla song, performed by famous Ugandan music artist #Gasuza, on Spotify to celebrate World Gorilla Day on 24 September 2020.

Lioness Launch / LifeBank announces first expansion outside Nigeria into Kenya

September 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

LifeBank, the innovative business founded by Temie Giwa-Tubosun in Nigeria that uses data, technology, and smart logistics to improve the discoverability, delivery, affordability, and safety of essential medical products like blood and oxygen for health systems across Africa in order to save lives, has announced its first expansion outside Nigeria. The company’s next city of operations is Nairobi in Kenya as it strives to continue saving more lives while strengthening the supply chain engine for health systems across Africa.

Lioness Launch / Mozambican natural skin care brand, Isabella-Estética & Cosméticos, launches its exciting new range of products

September 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Cátia Mondlane, CEO & Founder of Isabella-Estética & Cosméticos (Mozambique)

There is a growing interest by consumers in natural skincare products that are both kind to the skin and the environment. In Mozambique, one woman-owned company is launching a new, expanded range of quality products to meet that need. Cátia Mondlane is the CEO & Founder of Isabella-Estética & Cosméticos, an innovative Mozambican company which brings natural skin solutions based on locally sourced organic and fresh ingredients.

Lioness Launch / New Human Capital Advice service launched by South Africa’s Shiluvah

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Shiluvah, a specialist Human Resource and Labour Law Consultancy in South Africa founded by Kulani Shiluvane and which offers dynamic, customized and integrated people management solutions, is launching it’s new Human Capital Advice service. The new specialist service provides clients with all the human capital management advice they need over the phone or via email.

Download your FREE copy of the latest Playbook: Financing Business Growth

25 leading African women entrepreneurs share practical strategies, real experiences and advice. Playbook link

Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

LATEST PODCASTS

Episode 1: Business Funding Journeys Podcast features Melanie Hawken, founder & CEO, Lionesses of Africa and Melissa Basque-Roux, Coordinator, AFAWA, who share insights on creating greater access to finance and economic growth opportunities for women business builders in Africa. Also in conversation are three women entrepreneurs building sustainable, impact-driven businesses - Anne Rweyora, founder of Smart Havens Africa in Uganda, an enterprise creating affordable, climate-smart homes for women; and Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, co-founders of Mo’s Crib in South Africa, a high-growth, sustainable handmade decor manufacturing business.

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

Pleroma Patch, a South African innovative wellness brand creating plant-based patches to support sleep, recovery, and menstrual health.

Vanessa Mhlom is the founder and CEO of Pleroma Patch and is a 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award finalist. Pleroma Patch is a modern wellness brand pioneering a simpler, smarter way to care for your body, through transdermal vitamin patches. Pleroma’s discreet, plant-based patches support sleep, recovery, and menstrual health. Driven by her belief that dignified self-care should be a right, not a luxury, she is developing the ‘Patch It Forward’ initiative, a give-back model that channels a portion of each purchase toward expanding access to wellness essentials like menstrual and sleep support for underserved women and girls.

Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business

Mo’s Crib, a premium sustainable homeware brand founded by sisters Morongwe and Michelle Mokone in Pretoria, South Africa. From humble beginnings making origami at local markets, the company has grown into one of Africa’s leading exporters of handcrafted décor. Using recycled PVC waterpipes and natural materials such as banana bark, cane, and sisal, Mo’s Crib creates globally sought-after baskets, planters, furniture, and ornaments. Today, the brand supplies major international retailers including Crate & Barrel, Target, and Woolworths Home. Committed to social impact, Mo’s Crib empowers over 85 artisans, creating jobs while advancing environmental sustainability and African design innovation. The business was launched in 2019 and today employs 280 people.

Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions

Hazile Group, a South African agribusiness focused on sustainable food systems, renewable energy, and water stewardship

Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi is a social entrepreneur and thought leader in climate resilience, and a 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award finalist. She leads Hazile Group, a black woman-led enterprise driving climate-smart solutions in agriculture, energy, and water. The company’s core mission is to address food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy transition while uplifting marginalised communities. Hazile's focus on rural development, empowering farmers, and integrating climate-smart technologies directly supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably zero hunger, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and climate action. She also runs Acumind Consulting, guiding organisations toward inclusive, values-driven leadership and ESG strategies.

Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas

Setšong Tea Crafters, an agri-business specialising in the crafting of speciality indigenous teas from the natural flora found in South Africa’s rural Limpopo

A former quantity surveyor turned social entrepreneur, Retang Phaahla is the co-founder and CEO of Setšong Tea Crafters in South Africa, and the winner of the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award. Her business celebrates indigenous tea knowledge while driving rural development. Based in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, the majority women-owned social enterprise collaborates with communities to produce a range of health-promoting teas (known for calming nerves, relieving tension, and supporting balanced blood pressure), and hosts cultural tours to promote eco-tourism and preserve heritage. Setšong’s business model has created sustainable income streams for rural women while reviving ancient botanical traditions. The business was launched in 2017 and has created 30 jobs for local people.

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

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.

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Special Occasion Cakes…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-

Image of the Day / Atelier Taila Carrilho

Statement Accessories…We love the power of accessories to make strong fashion statements, and Taíla Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique creates the most exquisite, eye-cat

Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f

Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma

Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene

Image of the Day / House of Cinnamon

Animal print pumps…These eye-catching animal print pumps from House of Cinnamon in South Africa are a great addition to any stylish wardrobe. Founded by Frances Edwards, House of Cinnamon is a proudly Afro

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured

Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range

Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger are co-founders of Twenty 4 Skin, a unique South African medical-grade skincare brand. Juanri is a medical doctor with a special interest in regenerative medicine, so you could say she is a holistic regenerative GP, and Bernadette is a somatologist. The brand focuses on hormone optimization, aesthetic medicine, as well as skincare formulations.

Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment

Gillian Holl, founder of VELD Architects in South Africa, has built a business renowned for creating spaces that serve not as statements but as sanctuaries. It’s an architecture deeply connected to the African landscape, fostering a sense of belonging and calm.

Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management

Júlia Silota is the founder and CEO of J&G Environment Ltda, a Mozambican company operating in the environmental field, focused on the purchase and sale of solid waste, and providing solid waste collection services, solid waste management training, and environmental project evaluation. It was founded in August 2020 and began operations in 2023. It employs four people, two full-time and two part-time.

Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses

Cláudia Machaieie is the founder of Sea Glasses in Mozambique. She is a 28-year-old with a degree in Marine Biology, a postgraduate degree in Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Biology and Conservation Ecology. She has completed several technical courses in monitoring and project management. She began her activity as a volunteer and social activist at the age of 14 and is currently a founding volunteer of SOA Mozambique and a volunteer with Solo Adventures. She has worked in public (IIP), private (SEPPA, Centro Terra Viva), and international organizations (Girl Move Academy, UN - World Food Programme) developing activities in administration, monitoring, and management of humanitarian and environmental programs. Currently, she is the social responsibility coordinator at TOPACK Mozambique.

Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country

Matilde Mawelele Rungo is a digital transformation consultant, cybersecurity specialist, and founder of RealityTech Advisory in Mozambique, where she leads technology-driven projects for businesses and startups. She is also an evangelist and the creator of MTI – A Triad of Hope for Children, an initiative that integrates Evangelism, Technology, and Innovation to empower young people and communities. With a global vision, Matilde is committed to advancing individuals, organizations, and ecosystems through technology, faith, and meaningful social impact. The business was launched in 2024 and today has created jobs for 6 people.

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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

Successful entrepreneur Betsy Fore, in her new book Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams, shows how, by practicing a manifesting mindset, you can discover your deepest purpose. She calls this an “inner why” and believes finding it can unlock your greatest potential as a creator, founder, and builder of great products.

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 by Mary Grant is a transformative guide for high-achieving women entrepreneurs, business owners, and coaches who are ready to amplify their influence, impact, and income. Written by Mary Grant, a seasoned entrepreneur and innovation expert with over 30 years in the fashion industry, this book unpacks the art of empowered presence, bold confidence, and defining success on your own terms. Through insights, strategies, and a fresh perspective on success, the author empowers women to harness their unique strengths, navigate challenges, and rise to their next level with clarity and unstoppable momentum.

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 is not just another business book. Most focus on strategies and tactics. This one rewires the woman behind the business—so your growth is aligned, sustainable, and actually feels good.

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

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.

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

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.

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