Lioness Launch / South African education and coaching company, Real Stuff for Success, launches new book to empower young people to success

October 24, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Candice Preston, founder of Real Stuff for Success

Many young people find it challenging to visualize their roadmap to success and it can all seem a little daunting. South African entrepreneur and life coach, Candice Preston, founder of Real Stuff for Success, has launched a new book, ‘Unlocking your superpowers: keys to achieving success in school and beyond" to help young people to navigate their own personal journeys to success.

Vanhu Vamwe, co-founded by award-winning Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, launches its new handcrafted handbag collection

October 10, 2021 Melanie Hawken

After 6 years off the design scene developing a framework around ‘Care in Design’ and ‘Putting People First’, a PhD and two years of design development, Vanhu Vamwe is back!! The collection designed by co-founder Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, together with husband and co-founder Simba Nyawiri is ‘MACRAME LUXE ON WHEELS’. The Multi Award Winning Brand has combined its love for storytelling, traditional craftsmanship and community to bring for the first time ‘A Made In Zimbabwe’, 100% Handcrafted Collection. During a pandemic, with impossibilities all round, Vanhu Vamwe established the first Macrame Community in Zimbabwe, bringing permanent employment, healing livelihoods and bringing hope to many families.

Lioness Launch / Burundi-based Margaux Wong launches its beautiful new Joy collection of wearable art pieces

October 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong (Burundi)

A highly personal and beautiful new collection of wearable art pieces has been launched by Burundi based designer, Margaux Rusita, founder of Margaux Wong. This new collection of wearable art pieces, Joy, celebrates strength & delight in two exciting capsules: Daisy & Veronica. Joy is named after and dedicated to designer Margaux Rusita’s mother, Joy Edlyn Frank Wong, who, this year, transitioned after an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Joy also battled mental health illness for many years. Being a beautifully gifted artist herself, Joy provided the love, inspiration and fighting spirit which Margaux today embodies.

Lioness Launch / Hope Distillery in South Africa launches its new Hope Rhum Agricole, its own unique take on a rum

September 19, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Hope Distillery is a small South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband, Leigh Lisk, seven years ago as a small-batch gin distillery, Hope Distillery has grown into one of the leaders of the artisanal liquor scene, having grown from distilling its own boutique gin to launching various other spirits and distilling for a multitude of other craft brands. It has just launched its new Hope Rhum Agricole – their take on a rum.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Champions Uncovered, launches a new wellbeing personal coaching solution for women entrepreneurs

September 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Champions Uncovered Pty Ltd is a personal leadership development company founded by Carla Wasserfall in South Africa. The vision is to encourage and to inspire people into becoming their best selves. Be it inspirational podcasts, wellbeing coaching, the online learning academy (launching soon), wellness solutions for business to keep you moving! Champions Uncovered believe an inspired growth mindset leads to you move with intentional action, and so is launching a new wellbeing personal coaching service.

Lioness Launch / Addisson & Western (Pty) Ltd in Botswana launches new KYC (Know Your Customer) web and mobile app solution

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

One Oreeng, founder, Addison & Western (Botswana)

In Botswana, Addison & Western (Pty) Ltd, founded by One Oreeng, is a company known for providing marketing and project management services to its clients, It’s sister company, Certus, which provides technology-driven service as a software solution to ease the traditional KYC onboarding process, is now offering a KYC (Know Your Customer) solution that digitizes the AML compliance process. Certus is 100% citizen owned and woman led.

Vantage Properties in Botswana launches platform to give users tool to value their properties

August 22, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Sethebe Manake, founder, Vantage Properties (Botswana)

Vantage Properties is a Botswana-based PropTech startup founded by Sethebe Manake, and focused on real estate data analytics and automated property valuations. The company simplifies access to real estate expertise and information to drive informed decision making. Through its online platform, it gives the ordinary person power to extract value from their property assets. Vantage has developed the platform gosmartvalue.com that is set to change the real estate landscape forever by giving users the choice to automatically value their property or instruct a qualified and registered valuer to carry out a detailed valuation. Over and above valuations, gosmartvalue.com provides various market research reports covering various locations around the country that help guide real estate decision-making.

Oryx Desert Salt launches nationally in Whole Foods Market in the USA

August 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Oryx Desert Salt, founded by Samantha Skyring in South Africa, is a brand of naturally organic, crystal-white salt – sundried, unrefined and free from any additives. This salt contains the essential, natural minerals and trace elements, in the correct balance, for the body to absorb and utilize for optimal functioning, vitality and health. Oryx Desert Salt will be launching nationally in Whole Foods Market in the USA, with 6 products - salt grinder & refill, pepper grinder & refill, smoked salt, and BBQ salt. Products will be on the shelf from 1st October 2021.

Lioness Launch / New e-verification platform poised to revolutionize farm input certification in Tanzania

August 8, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Quincewood Group Limited is a technology company founded by entrepreneur Fatma Fernandes in Tanzania. The business is focused on the agricultural sector, developing innovations that aim to improve the livelihoods of farmers and even the playing field across the journey from farmer to table. The products developed are done with sustainability in mind. It’s latest innovation, eHakiki, is positively impacting thousands of lives in Tanzania's largest economic sector, agriculture. Its main aim is to ensure that smallholder farmer's incomes are protected.

Lioness Launch / South African experiential telemedicine platform, Kids Dialogue, launches Edu-Bump Support, a whatsapp support group for moms-to-be

August 1, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Kids Dialogue started off as an experiential telemedicine platform in South Africa to empower parents and children from a mental health perspective. However, co-founder sisters, Candice Lambert and Kim Bergh, saw needs that existed hinging on mental health, such as behavioural optometry, occupational therapy and research. Their ground-breaking business mental wellbeing offering is unlike any others that have featured in their market. They have seen the linear models that are implemented and that don't create long-lasting sustainable results. Additionally, families are at home predominantly due to Covid and so there is a big need to create boundaries but empower and grow into a powerful CONNECTED network or family. Kids Dialogue has products and services that transcend the normal way of looking at wellbeing. For Candice and Kim, it not just about sitting in therapy, it’s about actively working at and grappling with what the future requires of us and our kids.

Lioness Launch / Female-founded African startup and legal technology company, life.file launches to help people handle the legal parts of life and death

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

life.file is a female-founded African startup and legal technology company launched by Claire Keet and Sinal Govender. They are on a simple mission to reimagine the way that people experience the legal parts of life and death. The law is a guest at life’s best and worst moments - like starting a business, beginning or ending a marriage, or burying loved ones. These experiences are universal. Claire and Sinal believe in using intuitive, people focused design and normal-people-speak to create a user experience of the law that is simple, educational and friendly. Their team works where law, design and technology meet and they have picked the best bits of all three to create life.file.

Lioness Launch / Nigeria’s The 1964 Brand launches its new Rebirth clothing collection for women

July 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Olakunmi Oni, founder, The 1964 Brand (Nigeria)

In Nigeria, Olakunmi Oni, founder of The 1964 Brand, proudly promotes self-care through minimalist clothing for the modern woman. July sees the company launching its new collection titled REBIRTH.

Lizl Naude launches exciting new social experiment to celebrate sisterhood and create community

July 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Cape Town Designer, Lizl Naude, is known far and wide for her quirky, upcycled decor items through her business, Lilly Loompa. But more than that, she is known for her purposeful and environmentally-consciousness approach to design. In 2020, during the pandemic, she launched her "My Africa Lap Desk" made with discarded waste material. Now, she is embarking on an exciting new social experiment to celebrate sisterhood and create community.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s knowledge wealth company, ThutoKhumo, launches new online training courses for entrepreneurs

July 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Sheila Baloyi, founder, ThutoKhumo (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Sheila Baloyi, founder of ThutoKhumo, which means Knowledge Wealth in Setswana in South Africa, believes her coaching and development courses serve that purpose for both her clients and her organisation as a whole. As a sales leadership and management coaching practice, the company provides bespoke sales training courses for corporates, SMMEs and startups. This month sees the company announcing the launch of a series of new online courses, both for 2021 and going forward.

Lioness Launch / Mozambique’s House of Agness launches new bespoke, luxury tea collection

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

The House of Agness, founded by creative entrepreneur Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, is a contemporary Floral House based in Mozambique and specializing in bespoke, minimalistic floral arrangements. The company’s inspiration is based on minimalism and sustainability. The House of Agness range of products and services includes, but is not limited to, the delivery of signature floral boxes, bouquets, gift boxes and onsite floral services, as well as corporate event management and design. Signature flowers include roses, orchids, hydrangeas and peonies (seasonal). The company takes pride in the preserved flower collection where a rose can last for as long as 2 years in its lush acrylic boxes.

Lioness Launch / New South African children’s skincare brand, Raising Uhuru, looks to nature for inspiration

April 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

South African children’s skincare brand, Raising Uhuru, came into existence when a young and curious first-time mom, Minky Mokapela, was faced with the challenge of her baby’s terrible eczema. The baby’s skin would get so dry that it would develop scabs that would lift and flake off creating a considerable level of discomfort for her, and the only effective products contained steroids. Thanks to her curiosity, Minky began to research natural ways to treat her daughter’s skin after finding out that long term use of steroids had adverse effects. She knew that mother nature definitely had an answer. Using natural oils and butters such as Cocoa butter, Shea butter and Jojoba oil, she created the Raising Uhuru children’s skincare range that is beneficial for all skin types and complexions.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Birthmark of Africa Wines launches its new collection

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Miranda Abrahams, founder, Birthmark of Africa Wines (South Africa)

South Africa is renowned around the world for its fine wine-making, and this month sees the launch of a great new collection of wines from Birthmark of Africa Wines, founded by Miranda Abrahams. Customers can select from a great choice of Red and White wines, Blends and Champagne. The new collection includes Brut Chardonnay MCC – Méthode Cap Classique; Heritage Premium Red Blend; Heritage Premium White Blend; Premium Chardonnay; Premium Chenin Blanc; Premium Merlot; Premium Pinotage; and Premium Pinotage Rose.

South African bespoke fashion brand, Roka Roko, launches new Ladies Fashion Design Individual Tutoring Programme

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Brigette Mashile, founder, Roka Roko (South Africa)

Many people are interested in learning how to make women’s fashion clothes, but simply don’t have the skills or knowledge to know how to start. In South Africa, entrepreneur and experienced fashion designer, Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko, has the answer - a new Ladies Fashion Design Individual Tutoring programme.

Lioness Launch / Takora launches new professional CV writing platform in South Africa

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

In South Africa, a new professional CV writing online platform is launching - Takora, founded by entrepreneur Kabwe Gondo. Unlike other companies, Takora specializes in professional CV writing and CV training, and is focused on helping people to land their next job with a reputable organization. Kabwe believes that having a well written CV is like having a superpower under your sleeves. It is a well-known fact that the unemployment rate has risen to over 30% in South Africa, and having a well written CV can help someone land his/her dream job, an executive level position, or that internship position.

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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