Gwendolyne Gosselin, a South African entrepreneur turning her passion for Shweshwe fabrics into a high impact community childrenswear and toy brand

November 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Gwendolyne Gosselin, founder of Mathilde & Co. (South Africa) — **Gwendolyne Gosselin**, founder of Mathilde & Co. (South Africa)

Resourcefulness is a key trait needed by most entrepreneurs, and in the case of Gwendolyne Gosselin, founder of Mathilde & Co., that translated into learning how to sew. Today her unique brand of children’s clothing and toys, all made from Shweshwe fabrics, is winning fans at home and abroad. Importantly, it is also helping to change lives closer to home in her local community.

Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy, an entrepreneur based in Mauritius advising companies on how to get their messages and brands across

November 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy, founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius) — **Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy,** founder of The Talent Factory (Mauritius)

In the world of communications and brand positioning, getting the right advice and specialist help is key. In Mauritius, that’s where The Talent Factory comes in, led by one of the industry’s key exponents, founder Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy.

Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee, a design and print entrepreneur in Mauritius also building a brand turning advertising waste into exciting bags

October 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee, founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd (Mauritius) — **Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee**, founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd (Mauritius)

Many companies are being encouraged to consider the environmental impacts of their businesses, but for entrepreneur Lalita Anousha Purbho-Junggee, founder of Nineteen Fifty Design & Print Co Ltd, she is going one better. Her Sakili up-cycled bag brand is turning billboard advertising and textile waste into multi-purpose bags for her clients.

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, a Moroccan entrepreneur creating beautiful contemporary lighting inspired by her country’s traditional design aesthetic

October 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home (Morocco) — **Dounia Tamri-Loeper**, founder of Dounia Home (Morocco)

It’s often said that lighting makes a space or a room come alive, and for design entrepreneur Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home, lighting is her inspiration. She is creating beautiful, statement lighting pieces that not only celebrate the centuries-old techniques and designs that are uniquely Moroccan, but is elevating them to a whole new level.

Vere Shaba, a South African entrepreneur harnessing the power of engineering to minimise the environmental effect of construction

October 22, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Vere Shaba, founder of the Shaba & Ramplin (South Africa) — **Vere Shaba**, founder of the Shaba & Ramplin (South Africa)

As cities across the African continent grow, and the construction of new buildings on city skylines also grows in tandem, so too does the need to create greener buildings. And, that’s where multi-award winning engineering entrepreneur, Vere Shaba, founder of the Shaba & Ramplin Green Building Solutions, comes in. She is advising companies to think and plan differently using an Integrated Green Design approach to design energy-efficient, water-efficient and low waste building engineering systems.

Benji Coetzee, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to make cargo transportation more eco and cost efficient

October 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Benji Coetzee, founder of Empty Trips (South Africa) — **Benji Coetzee**, founder of Empty Trips (South Africa)

How many times a day whilst we are travelling on the highways, railways and flightpaths of countries across the African continent do we see underutilized freight carriers. This results in more expense and a bigger environmental impact. But that is about to change with the entry into the marketplace of EmptyTrips. This innovative, digital company is a game-changer in the logistics and freight transportation business.

Marta Pinto Coelho Roff, a Mozambique based entrepreneur building the country’s leading relocation services company

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Relocating to another country, town or city can be stressful at the best of times, and having a specialist company to help with logistics is essential to keep those stress levels down. One entrepreneur in Mozambique has created a business to take away the headache of relocation, and instead make it as stress-free a process as possible.

Daisy Mogne, a Mozambican entrepreneur making her mark in the world of professional makeup and hairstyling

October 4, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Daisy Mogne, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique) — **Daisy Mogne**, founder of Studio Daisy Mogne (Mozambique)

From transforming actors in television and film studios to fulfill their onscreen roles, to styling models for the fashion runways, leading professional makeup and hair artist, Daisy Mogne, has certainly perfected her craft. Today, her own Studio Daisy Mogne, is building a wonderful reputation for transforming and preparing clients for their special days, from weddings and special occasions, to those who work in front of the camera each day.

Iria Marina, a Mozambican entrepreneur using her skills behind the lens to capture the essence of the subjects she photographs

October 1, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Iria Marina, founder of Iria Marina Photography (Mozambique) — **Iria Marina**, founder of Iria Marina Photography (Mozambique)

Today, more and more people and businesses are understanding the power of strong images to communicate with audiences. Yet, the challenge is having the creative vision to really tell the stories behind the images and to make an emotional connection with those viewing them. That is where the talented Iria Marina comes in, founder of the photography business that carries her name.

Evandra Cossa, a Mozambican entrepreneur addressing financial inclusion in her country

September 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Evandra Cossa, founder of Ezee Money (Mozambique) — **Evandra Cossa**, founder of Ezee Money (Mozambique)

Ezee Money Mozambique is a new business venture in the country that looks to further financial inclusion for its citizens by being largely telecom independent, enabling users to access pre-paid and money transfer services. Serial entrepreneur, Evandra Cossa, is leveraging existing technology based solutions originating from Malaysia to make a difference in Mozambique.

Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, a Ghanaian entrepreneur finding new creative ways to celebrate African textiles

September 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Emma Maame Efua Tandoh, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana) — **Emma Maame Efua Tandoh**, founder of Love Ankara (Ghana)

African print has been finding its way into mainstream fashion for a long time, but it is always good to see a brand emerging from the continent that innovatively celebrates its diversity. Love Ankara is a fabulous retail, footwear and accessory brand, proudly made in Ghana but loved by the continent.

Lorna Scott, a South African entrepreneur building a gin brand that is exciting the world’s tastebuds

September 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Lorna Scott, founder of Inverroche Distillery (South Africa) — **Lorna Scott**, founder of Inverroche Distillery (South Africa)

There is something special about passionate people who create products that celebrate the natural indigenous ingredients that come from one place, making them truly unique. Lorna Scott, the entreprenurial inspirational behind the fabulous Inverroche gin brand, is one such passionate creator and brand builder, inspired by the natural botanicals that grow in the world’s smallest yet richest floral kingdom.

Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to make delicious ice cream that is also dairy free

September 16, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Sine Ndlela, founder of YoCoco (South Africa) — **Sine Ndlela**, founder of YoCoco (South Africa)

For all those people out there who love the idea of gorgeous artisan ice cream, but cannot eat dairy produce, help is at hand. YoCoco, an exciting new artisan dairy free ice cream is tantalising tastebuds in South Africa with fabulous flavour combinations and taste sensations.

Linda Makatiani, a Kenyan entrepreneur on a mission to support all those who are left-handed in her country

September 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Linda Makatiani, founder of Lefty Kenya — **Linda Makatiani**, founder of Lefty Kenya

Have you ever wondered about the challenges experienced by those who are left-handed? Some of the things e take for granted each day, such as the implements we use, can be a real problem for those who use their left hand as their primary task hand. But Kenyan entrepreneur, Linda Makatiani, founder of Lefty Kenya, is on a mission to change all that.

Jacqueline Boulos, a South African entrepreneur helping businesses expand into Africa using powerful, localized content

September 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Jacqueline Boulos & Natalie du Toit - Innocomm (South Africa) — **Jacqueline Boulos & Natalie du Toit** - Innocomm (South Africa)

All too often, brands try to break into new markets without having enough local insights. For one strategic communications agency, that scenario was simply not an option for their clients. Innocomm, the brainchild of entrepreneur Jacqueline Boulos, believes in spending time in and getting to know key markets in order to get brand messages to really resonate with local audiences.

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