Esta van Heerden, a South African biotech leader in environmental clean-up

December 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Esta van Heerden, founder of iWater Pty Ltd (South Africa)

Many women entrepreneurs in Africa are driven to start their businesses because of an identified need. For Esta van Heerden, founder of iWater Pty Ltd in South Africa, she is passionate about the environment and wants to ensure that all citizens have access to clean water in the future. She also believes that companies that have contaminated the environment MUST clean it up! Her business is now offering companies a solution to this clean-up need, harnessing the best of technology solutions to aid the process.

Agnes Chikukwa Hove, an entrepreneur educating South Africans in financial wellness

December 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Agnes Chikukwa Hove, founder of Sequor Consulting (South Africa)

Helping people to make the right financial life and business decisions is what drives entrepreneur Agnes Chikukwa Hove, founder of Sequor Consulting, in South Africa. Today, her company provides specialist financial training and money management coaching that also builds the confidence needed to make smart financial choices.

Lucia Molefe, a South African entrepreneur baking her way to success

December 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lucia Molefe, founder of Mokgalaka Creations (South Africa)

Lucia Molefe is the founder of Mokgalaka Creations. She was always good with her hands and had a passion for making cakes and cooking, as she would make the occasional cake and platter for friends and family. In 2006, Lucia embraced this skillset and registered Mokgalaka Creations as a business. Immediately, she began taking cake designing and decoration classes after working hours to sharpen her God-given talent. During this time, she began growing her home-based business part-time. In 2008, Mokgalaka Creations had begun taking off. It was in this year that she resigned after 15 years of service with the Department of Social Development to focus full-time on her passion and her business.

Suraya Williams, a South African entrepreneur building an impact-driven clothing manufacturing business

December 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Suraya Williams, founder of Design26 (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

In South Africa, clothing manufacturing has always played an important role in the local economy, creating jobs and developing skills. Today, Suraya Williams, founder of Design26 (Pty) Ltd, is carrying on the legacy of her late mother by transforming a clothing manufacturing business to a CMT (cut-make-trim) operation, creating skilled jobs in the process.

Angellah Manda, a Malawian entrepreneur who is turning crocheting into a clothing manufacturing business

December 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Angellah Manda, founder of Angelos Crochet (Malawi)

Crocheting is an art that many Malawians are taught at an early age, but for Angellah Manda, founder of Angelos Crochet, she was inspired to take the craft to the next level and into business. Today, her beautifully crafted crochet garments and accessories are desirable fashion items by her growing customer base.

Thuli Zikalala, a South African professional sign language interpreter building a unique impact driven business

December 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Thuli Zikalala, founder of Yellow Owl (South Africa)

For the deaf and hard of hearing, being able to keep up to date with news, information and powerful digital content is so important to maintain those all important connections in life and in business. Thuli Zikalala, founder of specialist business Yellow Owl, is playing her part as a professional sign language interpreter.

Siwinile Khumalo, a South African engineering professional creating access to clean and healthy water

December 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Siwinile Khumalo, founder of Sucxeed Projects (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

In South Africa, many people still do not have access to clean and healthy water supplies each day. For entrepreneur Siwinile Khumalo, founder of Sucxeed Projects (Pty) Ltd, addressing this challenge was the inspiration for her business building journey. Today she is a water solutions and services provider, changing lives and communities.

Michèle Mianza, an entrepreneur connecting patients to healthcare professionals in the Democratic Republic of Congo

December 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Michèle Mianza, founder of 2mk Healthcare (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Technology has become a real gamechanger in the world of healthcare, providing those in need with access to medical advice and healthcare professionals via apps and digital platforms. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, entrepreneur Michèle Mianza, founder of 2mk Healthcare empowers people to manage their health journeys using technology.

Leidemara Ramos, an entrepreneur creating Cape Verde’s first integrated transport and visitor booking platform

December 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

For travellers who want to visit Cape Verde for vacations or business, help is at hand thanks to the team at Resermar Reservas Online, the country’s first online integrated booking platform co-founded by Leidimara Ramos. This one-stop-shop platform assists not only visitors, but also those smaller suppliers on Cape Verde who want to connect with potential new customers.

Sibongile Mtsabe, a South African agriprocessor tackling the country’s nutritional needs

December 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sibongile Mtsabe, founder of Sibocali Traders (South Africa)

Getting access to good, affordable and nutritious food that can also help in addressing obesity, diabetes and malnutrition is a challenge for many communities in South Africa. For entrepreneur Sibongile Mtsabe, founder of Sibocali Traders, that challenge provided the inspiration for the launch of her agriprocessing business.

Xoliswa Hlongwane, a South African entrepreneur creating jobs in the clothing manufacturing sector

November 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Xoliswa Hlongwane, founder of XO Collection (South Africa)

South Africa needs jobs, and it also needs to rebuild a strong clothing manufacturing industry sector, and that’s where entrepreneur Xoliswa Hlongwane is making her contribution to the economy through her XO Collection (Pty) Ltd.

Zola Shabangu, a South African entrepreneur developing next generation clothing manufacturers

November 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Zola Shabangu, founder of iGoda Clothing Manufacturing Incubator (South Africa)

Driven by a desire to create opportunities for South African clothing manufacturers and designers to create and supply their clothing to local retailers, Zola Shabangu launched iGoda Clothing Manufacturing Incubator PTY Ltd. Today, the business is a development incubator for a new generation of fashion designers and seamstresses.

Karunas Reddy, a natural food brand builder creating wheat and gluten free foods

November 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Karunas Reddy, ceo of Nonna’s Foods (South Africa)

For all those with a wheat or gluten intolerance in South Africa and looking for healthy, natural products such as plant based pastas and baking mixes, help is at hand from Nonna’s Foods. Entrepreneur Karunas Reddy is on a mission to offer her customers the widest range of delicious and healthy gluten and wheat free products that are tasty, healthy and importantly safe to eat.

Metsana Kojane, a South African agripreneur empowering women and girls through beekeeping

November 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Metsana Kojane, founder of Eden Roots PTY Ltd (South Africa)

Agribusiness is big business in South Africa, and one passionate, enterprising woman entrepreneur, Metsana Kojane, founder of Eden Roots PTY Ltd, is putting bees at the heart of her business. Her production of beautifully natural honey has not only created local agri-processing jobs for women in her community, but also the creation of a natural skincare brand using the wax, propolis and royal jelly from her raw honey hives.

Emmanuella Aboa, an entrepreneur in Kenya passionate about developing people and businesses

November 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Emmanuella Aboa, founder of Transolution Services Africa Ltd (Kenya)

For any individual or business wanting to achieve their full potential, it is often essential to get the right training, skills development and advice. Based in Kenya but with a pan-African presence, entrepreneur Emmanuella Aboa, founder of Transolution Services Africa Ltd, is focused on helping individuals and businesses thrive in their eco-systems.

Anne Drane, championing artisan women in Kenya with her slow fashion brand Sawa Sawa Collection

November 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Anne Drane, founder of The Sawa Sawa Collection (Kenya/USA)

One of the biggest challenges for women artisans in Kenya is getting their handcrafted products into global markets. The Sawa Sawa Collection, founded by Anne Drane and her co-founders looks to help change that narrative, empowering women to make a sustainable living from their work and contribute to local economic empowerment.

Thuladu Mngadi, a passionate South African foodpreneur creating first-class catering experiences

November 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Thuladu Mngadi, founder of Fresh Food Daily (South Africa)

To ensure your corporate or private function is memorable for your guests, great catering is essential. After all, people may forget the speeches but they will always remember the food. In South Africa, that’s where Fresh Food Daily comes in. Founder Thuladu Mngadi, has a passion for creating great African cuisine, all delivered with a touch of flair.

Nonhlanhla Ditshego, a South African entrepreneur building an exciting craft gin brand

November 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nonhlanhla Ditshego, co-founder of Vuttomi Liquids (South Africa)

The craft gin market has exploded globally over the past few years with some interesting independent brands emerging, particularly in South Africa. One of those brands is Vuttomi Liquids, co-founded by Nonhlanhla Ditshego and her family, and they have big hopes and ambitions for the future.

Boikano Sikwane, a South African entrepreneur turning a family chilli recipe into a growing business

November 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Boikano Sikwane, co-founder of Chuck Chilli Foods (South Africa)

South Africans love their condiments, especially those that have a chilli kick to them. So for all those consumers who are constantly in search of a new chilli taste sensation, look no further than Chuck Chilli, an exciting brand of chilli condiments from Chuck Chilli Foods, co-founded by Boikano Sikwane.

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