Rianke Chapman, a South African edupreneur on a mission to help young people realize their educational goals in life

June 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Rianke Chapman, founder of Tutor For The Future (South Africa) — **Rianke Chapman**, founder of Tutor For The Future (South Africa)

Acquiring maths learning at an early age equips young people with the critical thinking and problem solving skills that will help them in all aspects of their lives. For edupreneur Rianke Chapman, founder of Tutor For The Future, this educational need on the part of South Africa’s young people provided the inspiration to start a business providing the specialist educational support needed to fill a real gap.

Stephina Zwane and Salamina Mosese, two South African media entrepreneurs telling Africa’s stories through the power of film and tv

June 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Stephina Zwane and Salamina Mosese, founders of Sorele Media (South Africa) — **Stephina Zwane and Salamina Mosese**, founders of Sorele Media (South Africa)

Getting the world to see Africa from a different perspective requires the ability to harness the power of storytelling through the visual media, and that is where South African tv and film production company, Sorele Media, comes in. Talented and highly experienced founders, Stephina Zwane and Salamina Mosese, are on a mission to not only produce great content, but also to create a powerful online tv platform to get the right messages across to audiences.

Melanie Finch Keshwar and Ann Finch, a South African mother and daughter team creating artisanal, handcrafted chocolates with a conscience

June 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Melanie Finch Keshwar and Ann Finch, co-founders of The Chocolatiers (South Africa) — **Melanie Finch Keshwar and Ann Finch**, co-founders of The Chocolatiers (South Africa)

For many consumers today, understanding and appreciating the provenance of the food we eat is increasingly important and part of the buying decision-making process. Therefore, for lovers of artisanal chocolate with a farm to table story, the team behind The Chocolatiers has a great story to tell.

Marion Nixon, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to help others transform their lives

May 28, 2017 Melanie Hawken

If you have ever thought of changing your life for the better by understanding yourself and the factors that might be holding you back, then you may need a Personal Change Agent to help you on your journey of self discovery. Marion Nixon is just such a person, with the skills and experience to help those who feel stuck in life to find their way again.

Rose Sibisi, a Zambian woman entrepreneur taking her lifestyle brand to her audience through her highly entertaining TV talkshow

May 27, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Personality-led brands and businesses connect with audiences because of precisely that - they are created by women entrepreneurs who are big on passion and personality. Rose Sibisi is an entrepreneur who has both of these traits in huge quantities, and her passion for what she does is infectious. Her popular Talk Show, StylewithRoseS, is must-watch television.

Narcissi Madisha, a South African fashionpreneur creating stylish and on-trend clothes for young girls

May 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Narcissi Madisha, founder of Kameo Kids (South Africa) — **Narcissi Madisha**, founder of Kameo Kids (South Africa)

Moms and daughters alike know what fun fashion and shopping for great clothes can be, and Narcissi Madisha, founder of Kameo Kids, has just the brand for them. She is creating fashionable yet comfortable clothes for young girls who want to express their own individual style from a young age.

Colleen Deetlefs, a South African ecopreneur turning old tyres into beautiful and practical new products for people to love and use

May 21, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Colleen Deetlefs, founder of Innovative Waste Design (IWD) (South Africa) — **Colleen Deetlefs**, founder of Innovative Waste Design (IWD) (South Africa)

The ability to see possibility in what others see as simply waste is a real talent, and that is something that Innovative Waste Design (IWD) founder, Colleen Deetlefs has in large quantities. She has a creative eye, combined with the business acumen to turn waste into beautiful and practical new products that have a great back story and a positive environmental footprint.

Nita Chivwara, a Malawian entrepreneur with a passion for strategy and advising global companies on doing business in her country

May 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nita Chivwara, Business Development Consultant (Malawi) — **Nita Chivwara**, Business Development Consultant (Malawi)

For many companies, moving into a new business territory is a challenge, and having access to local insights and advice can be key to success. For entrepreneur Nita Chivwara, her experience as a country strategist and project manager has provided the necessary skills set to offer practical country marketing advice to global business.

Clare Appleyard, a South African geologist turned entrepreneur creating diamond jewellery for those special life moments

May 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Clare Appleyard, founder of Katannuta Diamonds (South Africa) — **Clare Appleyard**, founder of Katannuta Diamonds (South Africa)

Who doesn’t love diamonds? These fascinating precious stones that are infused with so many stories, memories, dreams on the part of the owners and wearers. For Clare Appleyard, her love for and extensive technical knowledge of the diamond industry led her to launch her own business, Katannuta Diamonds.

Lee Chisale, an entrepreneur bringing the world of luxury wellness spas to Malawi

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Lee Chisale, founder of Belle Afrique (Malawi) — **Lee Chisale**, founder of Belle Afrique (Malawi)

In Africa, the health and wellness industry is a growing business sector, but in Malawi there was a definite gap for a luxury wellness spa brand in the market. Belle Afrique, the entrepreneurial brainchild of Lee Chisale, is filling that gap with a world class brand and product offering.

Sazia Sousa, a Mozambican techpreneur making her mark in the country’s IT sector

May 7, 2017 Melanie Hawken

**Sazia Sousa, founder of Technoplus (Mozambique)**

Mastering the art of the career pivot is something that Sazia Sousa knows well, having originally studied to be an architect and then making the move into computer engineering. This adventurous move has led to her becoming a key player in this highly competitive field with the creation of her company Technoplus.

Kelebogile Makhafola, a South African brand strategist on a mission to help organizations find their unique value propositions

April 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Kelebogile Makhafola, founder of Maruapula Brand (South Africa)

For any business, large or small, one of the biggest challenges can be developing and communicating a unique brand essence, one that engages and connects with customers and employees alike. Maruapula Brand, founded by entrepreneur Kelebogile Makhafola, is helping those businesses through this brand maze.

Bitania Amare, an Ethiopian entrepreneur building an online platform to help customers in Addis Ababa order their food online

April 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Bitania Amare, founder of WeDeliver (Ethiopia) — **Bitania Amare**, founder of WeDeliver (Ethiopia)

If you have ever experienced that feeling of being in the work environment and feeling hungry, but not being able to leave the office or workspace because things are just too busy, then WeDeliver, a startup business founded by entrepreneur Bitania Amare has the answer. Her new online ordering platform is making it easy for consumers to get their purchases delivered directly to them.

Tamala Chirwa, a Malawian entrepreneur coaching and mentoring a new generation of leaders in the country

April 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint (Malawi) — **Tamala Chirwa**, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint (Malawi)

For people in corporate or public life, developing core leadership skills is key to success and career progression, but that often requires specialist coaching and mentoring support. In Malawi, one woman entrepreneur, Tamala Chirwa, founder of Women’s Leadership Footprint, is fulfilling that role and bringing specialist coaching programs to those who need them.

Nureshka Viranna, a South African entrepreneur building a business that helps others to showcase their products and services online

April 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nureshka Viranna, founder of ShopLi (South Africa) — **Nureshka Viranna**, founder of ShopLi (South Africa)

For many businesses, getting products and services to markets and customers is the hardest part of the journey. But for entrepreneurs in South Africa, there is now a specialist service on offer. ShopLi, the brainchild of Nureshka Viranna, is helping businesses to create their own online stores and catalogues, to attract customers and convert them into sales.

Judith Msonthi, a Malawian entrepreneur leveraging her talents as an MC and presenter to create a business

April 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi) — **Judith Msonthi**, founder of Judie Emcee (Malawi)

Every successful event needs a great Master of Ceremonies to keep things moving according to schedule and importantly to keep audiences engaged. In Malawi, one of the most popular MCs currently is Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee, bringing her unique style and personality to enliven any event.

Phanice Shamalla, a Kenyan entrepreneur with a passion for helping people to become healthier in their lives

April 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Phanice Shamalla, founder of Iris Management (Kenya) — **Phanice Shamalla**, founder of Iris Management (Kenya)

For many people, staying fit and healthy is a real challenge and often requires a combination of specialist help, advice and access to resources, to make those essential healthy living choices. Iris Management, the business venture of health and wellbeing entrepreneur, Phanice Shamalla, is working hard to change mindsets and make it easier for people to think and live healthier lives.

Tarina Du Plessis, the Namibian entrepreneur with an A-Z support system for small businesses

April 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tarina Du Plessis, founder of SkyRidge Business Solutions (Namibia) — **Tarina Du Plessis**, founder of SkyRidge Business Solutions (Namibia)

For many business startups, the list of things that need to be done and put in place to ensure a good foundation can be daunting. But entrepreneur Tarina Du Plessis, founder of SkyRidge Business Solutions, is on a mission to make it simpler. She is there to walk each step of the journey with her clients, making it less stressful and very much solution oriented.

Chantelle Beukes, a South African toymaker telling stories and stimulating imagination through her handcrafted work

April 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Chantelle Beukes, founder of La Fede (South Africa) — **Chantelle Beukes**, founder of La Fede (South Africa)

La Fede, which means ‘faith’ in Italian, is a handcrafted heirloom toy company with a difference, as each individually created piece is inspired by a character or a story. The company, created by South African entrepreneur, Chantelle Beukes, is on a mission to bring a smile to young children’s faces as they harness the power of their imaginations to play with the beautiful, quirky toys she makes.

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