Refilwe Sebothoma, a South African entrepreneur making her mark in the premium personal protective equipment business

January 14, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of PBM Creations (South Africa) — **Refilwe Sebothoma**, founder of PBM Creations (South Africa)

Creating safe working environments for employees in any industry sector is key, and that’s where specialist knowledge and equipment is essential. Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of PBM Creations, is helping companies and organisations to create those safe working environments through her provision of personal protective equipment.

Bandile Mooka, a Botswana entrepreneur turning her passion for floral decor and art into a business

January 7, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Bandile Mooka, founder of Niyacraft (Botswana) — **Bandile Mooka**, founder of Niyacraft (Botswana)

Many busineses start out as a result of a passion or a personal interest. In the case of Botswana entrepreneur Bandile Mooka, founder of specialist events solution and decor business, Niyacraft, that passion stemmed from the world of art and design.

Beatha Shitemba, a Namibian entrepreneur who is brightening up children’s nurseries across Namibia

January 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia) — **Beatha Shitemba**, founder of Nels Babies (Namibia)

Any design conscious parent in Africa knows how difficult it can be to find great, high quality children’s decor items for the nursery. But in Namibia, entrepreneur Beatha Shitemba, founder of Nels Babies, has the solution.

Nkatha Gitonga, a Kenyan entrepreneur curating chic jewellery through a unique storytelling marketplace

January 4, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Everyone loves a good story, and for today’s conscious consumers, getting to know more about the backstory of the brands and products they buy is increasingly important. Nkatha Gitonga, a Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Yakutti, is using the power of storytelling to advance the identity of African design.

Que Lebatha, a passionate communicator on a mission to help her clients break through the clutter

December 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Que Lebatha, founder of Que Lebatha Consulting (South Africa) — **Que Lebatha**, founder of Que Lebatha Consulting (South Africa)

Each day as consumers, we are bombarded with messages, information, brands, and businesses vying for both our attention and our purchasing decisions. It can be hard to stand out from the crowd. But help is at hand from South Africa based specialist marcomms expert, Que Lebatha, founder of the consulting company that carries her name.

Sihle Hlophe, a South African film-maker creating great content in minority languages and winning fans around the world

December 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Sihle Hlophe, founder of Passion Seed Communications (South Africa) — **Sihle Hlophe**, founder of Passion Seed Communications (South Africa)

Many entrepreneurs are driven by a passion to solve a societal challenge and to make a difference in the world. For South African entrepreneur, Sihle Hlophe, founder of Passion Seed Communications, her inspiration came from a desire to see films and television programmes in her mother tongue SiSwati.

Tania Tome, a Mozambican serial entrepreneur using her skills to train and develop a new generation of business leaders in Africa

December 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tania Tome, founder of Ecokaya (Mozambique) — **Tania Tome**, founder of Ecokaya (Mozambique)

Creating sustainable and more inclusive entrepreneurial ventures in Mozambique is key to the country’s future economic success. But that requires the development and training of a new generation of entrepreneurs who can build businesses capable of growing and succeeding. Ecokaya, founded by entrepreneur Tania Tome, is on a mission to be part of the solution to making this vision a reality.

Ntsoaki Mabejane, an entrepreneur from Lesotho building a passionate organic cosmetics brand

December 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ntsoaki Mabejane, founder of Botanical Wares (Lesotho) — **Ntsoaki Mabejane**, founder of Botanical Wares (Lesotho)

For all those who experience the challenges of sensitive skin, hope is at hand from Botanical Wares (Pty) Ltd, a Lesotho woman-owned company inspired by its founders who needed to find a skincare and cosmetics solution for themselves and their families.

Dené Carlile, a South African entrepreneur helping companies to develop their social brand personalities

December 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Dené Carlile, founder of BluMallow Social & Design (South Africa) — **Dené Carlile**, founder of BluMallow Social & Design (South Africa)

Many companies struggle to get their brand messages to connect with customers, or to grow their brand appeal with certain customer segments. That’s where South African niche company, BluMallow Social & Design, comes in. Founder Dené Carlile is on a mission to make the whole process of making powerful brand connections a whole lot easier for her clients.

Ngwana Matloa, a South African entrepreneur helping companies get to grips with their IT strategies

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Ngwana Matloa, co-founder of ABOT Technology (South Africa) — **Ngwana Matloa**, co-founder of ABOT Technology (South Africa)

How often do you see companies and organisations investing in IT and technology solutions but not actually ensuring they are aligned to overall business strategies? As a result, maximum efficiencies and highly functional systems never realize their full potential. IT specialist, Ngwana Matloa, co-founder of ABOT Technology, is on a mission to change that.

Nicola Bokaba, a South African manufacturer inspired by traditional cooking implements and taking them to the mass market

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nicola Bokaba, founder of Earthy Cook (South Africa) — **Nicola Bokaba**, founder of Earthy Cook (South Africa)

Sometimes, the best ideas have been around a long time but simply need adapting or updating for a contemporary marketplace. In the culinary world, that is certainly the case for the traditional South African mafehlo (pap making whisks). Entrepreneur Nicola Bokaba, founder of Earthy Cook, saw an opportunity to start a business inspired by these traditional cooking implements but updated to meet today’s kitchen needs.

Roomila Roothoorodoo, a Mauritian entrepreneur building a business that captures special moments for its clients

November 19, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Roomila Roothoorodoo, founder of Focus Events (Mauritius) — **Roomila Roothoorodoo**, founder of Focus Events (Mauritius)

Whether you are staging a major conference or special event such a wedding, or you need to produce a video that tells your corporate story, it’s essential to bring in the specialists. In Mauritius, one passionate photographer, Roomila Roothoorodoo, founder of Focus Events, is bringing her creative talents to the table.

Nondumiso Pikashe, a South African entrepreneur creating a proud indigenous wine brand

November 18, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nondumiso Pikashe, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa) — **Nondumiso Pikashe**, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa)

Exciting things are happening in South Africa’s winelands with a new generation of entrepreneurs making great wines for the local and global market place and building new brands to watch. Ses’fikile Wines, founded by Nondumiso Pikashe, is one such brand with high aspirations.

Deborah Sawyerr, a Nigerian entrepreneur on a mission to educate kids on money literacy

November 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

**Deborah Sawyerr, founder of Sawyerrs’ House (Nigeria)**

You are never too young to learn about money as a child, and never to old to learn how to manage your money better and create your future wealth as a woman, according to Sawyerrs’ House founder, Deborah Sawyerr. She is passionate about increasing money literacy amongst both children and adult women alike.

Nonhlanhla Khumalo, a South African entrepreneur bringing financial management and accounting solutions to its clients

November 12, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nonhlanhla Khumalo, founder of LeHay Consulting (South Africa) — **Nonhlanhla Khumalo**, founder of LeHay Consulting (South Africa)

Businesses need access to specialist financial services advice and support, but often for start up companies, it can be a daunting process. Now help is at hand from experienced accountant and entrepreneur, Nonhlanhla Khumalo, founder of LeHay Consulting.

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.

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