REVISITED - Thokozile Mangwiro - The startup story of a South African skin care entrepreneur, launching a new natural hair care company

March 19, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Thokozile Mangwiro, founder of Nyla Naturals (South Africa) — **Thokozile Mangwiro**, founder of Nyla Naturals (South Africa)

In 2015, Lionesses of Africa featured a wonderful young startup company, Nyla Naturals, the brainchild of creative entrepreneur Thokozile Mangwiro. Today, one year on, so much has happened in the life of this great young company and entrepreneur, and a new natural hair care product line, Nilotiqua, has been launched which is just as exciting.

Sarah Nakisanze - The startup story of an entrepreneur in Uganda celebrating traditional barkcloth fabric and reinventing it in great new design pieces

March 17, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Sarah Nakisanze, founder of Easy Afric Design (Uganda) — **Sarah Nakisanze**, founder of Easy Afric Design (Uganda)

The world is becoming increasingly more enamoured by the wonderful traditional designs and fabrics of Africa, particularly when they are incorporated into contemporary fashion and decor pieces. Entrepreneur Sarah Nakisanze and her business Easy Afric Design, is harnessing the inspiration of the wonderful Ugandan traditional fabric of Barkcloth for her collections of fashion and art.

Irisha Luhanga - The startup story of an entrepreneur with a passion for helping organisations and people to reach their potential

March 15, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Irisha Luhanga, founder Redefine Human Capital (South Africa)

In today’s increasingly competitive world, companies and organisations are becoming more focused on empowering their people in order to help them fulfil their full potential in their careers and in the workplace generally. Irisha Luhanga is one entrepreneur with a passion for human capital and with her company, Redefine Human Capital, she is redefining the way people view their work and helping them to align it to their true purpose.

Olubukola Asafa - The startup story of a Nigerian entrepreneur with a passion for fine craftsmanship and building a bespoke luxury leathergoods brand

March 14, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Olubukola Asafa, founder of Oba Couture (Nigeria) — **Olubukola Asafa**, founder of Oba Couture (Nigeria)

There is a growing interest right now in AfroLuxe, bespoke finely crafted luxury items all proudly designed and created here in Africa. Oba Couture, the brand created by Nigerian entrepreneur Olubukola Asafa, is a new name in the world of luxury leather accessory brands emerging from the African continent, to add to the list of those brands currently winning legions of fans around the world with their high-end, luxury products.

Ysolde Shimwe and Kevine Kagirimpundu- The startup story of two fashion design entrepreneurs creating beautiful handcrafted shoes with a unique Rwandan aesthetic

March 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Ysolde Shimwe and Kevine Kagirimpundu, co-founders of Azuri K&Y (Rwanda)

The art of fine shoe-making is a specific design discipline and one that excites the team of entrepreneurs behind the Rwandan shoe brand, UZURI K&Y. Ysolde Shimwe (CFO & Co-Creative designer) and Kevine Kagirimpundu (CEO & Co-Creative designer), are combining their substantial design talents to create some of the hottest shoes on the continent.

Samantha Skyring - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur bringing the unique desert salt of the Kalahari to the world’s kitchens

March 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Skyring, founder of Oryx Desert Salt (South Africa)

With the world looking to source more sustainable, ethically produced and renewable sources of foodstuffs, one South African business venture, Oryx Desert Salt, founded by entrepreneur Samantha Skyring, is looking to bring an exceptional source of salt to enrich both the flavour of food and also promote good health.

Shereen Makhanye - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur harnessing Africa’s organic and exotic indigenous crops to create an exciting natural hair-care brand

February 27, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Shereen Makhanye, founder of Nubian Nature (South Africa)

Nubian Nature (Pty) Ltd is the entrepreneurial creation of founder Shereen Makhanye, whose journey to find products that are not harmful to use on African hair led her to harness the power of the continent’s natural ingredients to find a solution. Her company and its products are the showcase for her genuine passion for Africa, science, hair and all things natural and it's been her life dream to share the experience and richness of Africa with Africans and the rest of world.

Evashnee Naidu - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help SMMEs to realise increased profitability and improved lead generation

February 26, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Evashnee Naidu, founder of EnablED (South Africa) — **Evashnee Naidu**, founder of EnablED (South Africa)

In an increasingly competitive market environment, making companies stand out in the marketplace and helping them to maximise the enterprise development opportunities that exist is key. EnablED, the brainchild of South African entrepreneur, Evashnee Naidu, is one such company that is playing a key role in managing enterprise and supplier development solutions for SMMEs.

Natacha Nduwimana - The startup story of an entrepreneur taking world-class event production to new heights in Rwanda and Burundi

February 24, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Natacha Nduwimana, founder of Jelim Premier Events — **Natacha Nduwimana**, founder of Jelim Premier Events

In the highly competitive world of event production, understanding the experiential brand and marketing needs of customers is key, and if there is one company that understands this fact it is Jelim Premier Events. Founder Natacha Nduwimana is an entrepreneur with a keen eye for detail and a comprehensive understanding of the power of brand positioning through event activation, delivering innovative and high quality event experiences in the countries she works in.

Adhiambo Mula-Lauwers - The startup story of a South African footwear brand turning the traditional concept of shoe design on its head

February 22, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Adhiambo Mula-Lauwers, founder of GALAGO (South Africa) — **Adhiambo Mula-Lauwers**, founder of GALAGO (South Africa)

GALAGO is a footwear brand with a difference. It not only celebrates an African aesthetic, embracing the traditional techniques and craftsmanship renowned on the continent, but also brings in a uniquely customised aspect for the wearer. Fashion entrepreneur and founder, Adhiambo Mula-Lauwers, is tapping into a new design aesthetic that is highly customer centric and very individual.

Adenike Akinsemolu - The startup story of a social entrepreneur in Nigeria building a new generation of environmentally conscious student leaders

February 20, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Adenike Akinsemolu, founder of The Green Campus Initiative (Nigeria) — **Adenike Akinsemolu**, founder of The Green Campus Initiative (Nigeria)

Like many parts of Africa, Nigeria has a number of environmental challenges that need to be addressed by innovative thinking and action. The Green Campus Initiative is entrepreneur Adenike Akinsemolu’s solution to getting young people in the country thinking green and becoming eco-conscious citizens.

Angela Kamanzi - The startup story of a magazine publisher in Kenya passionate about women’s empowerment

February 16, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Angela Kamanzi, founder of Arkad World Limited & publisher of Mkazi Magazine (Kenya) — **Angela Kamanzi**, founder of Arkad World Limited & publisher of Mkazi Magazine (Kenya)

One woman entrepreneur is bringing her wealth of expertise and experience in the field of publishing to create an online magazine that celebrates enterprising African women and provides a great resource of homegrown solutions to Africa’s unique challenges. Arkad World Limited, the holding company behind Mkazi Magazine, is the brainchild of Kenyan entrepreneur, Angela Kamanzi, and creates information to inspire, motivate and improve the lives of African women entrepreneurs.

Sandra Idossou - The startup story of a Rwandan media company committed to promoting service excellence

February 15, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Sandra Idossou, founder of The ServiceMag (Rwanda) — **Sandra Idossou**, founder of The ServiceMag (Rwanda)

Good customer service is so critical to success in all aspects of entrepreneurial life, and therefore the concept and ethos behind Sandra Idossou’s company, The ServiceMag, couldn’t have come at a better time in Africa. She is passionately committed to helping companies and organisations to improve their customer centricity and, as a result, helping to make the continent more customer focused in its entrepreneurial approach.

Anthea Ambursley - The startup story of a South African entrepreneur passionate about the hospitality industry and empowering women to start businesses

February 11, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Anthea Ambursley, founder of Anansi (South Africa) — **Anthea Ambursley**, founder of Anansi (South Africa)

The most successful businesses tend to be led by entrepreneurs who are not only passionate about what they do, but those that have a vision of how to empower others to follow in their footsteps. Anansi is one such multi-faceted company, and the brainchild of its talented founder, Anthea Ambursley, who is passing on her wisdom and experience through a number of platforms in her business.

Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye - The startup story of a Nigerian entrepreneur on a mission to mentor others in Africa

February 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye, founder of IMentorAfrica (Nigeria) — **Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye**, founder of IMentorAfrica (Nigeria)

IMentorAfrica is the brainchild of Nigerian entrepreneur Ayoronke Tosin-Yeye, and is a company focused on helping entrepreneurs find mentors in their key areas of expertise and interest. Her online solution provides instant access to both experienced mentors and information, and brings an entrepreneurial network together.

Emily Pienaar - The startup story of a South African perfumier, inspired by traditional French perfume-making but celebrating Africa’s unique flora

February 10, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Emily Pienaar, founder of Rose en Bos (South Africa) — **Emily Pienaar**, founder of Rose en Bos (South Africa)

Perfume is very evocative of time and place and a very personal experience for the wearer. In the case of South African perfume house, Rose en Bos, founded by entrepreneur Emily Pienaar, the inspiration comes from the spectacular and world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom. To wear these perfumes is to be transported to this beautiful, unspoilt and unique part of the world.

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