Thokozile Mangwiro, a South African premium quality, natural hair care product manufacturer

April 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Thokozile Mangwiro, founder, Nilotiqa (South Africa)

It is in growing her own natural hair for the past 15 years that Thokozile Mangwiro found her inspiration to create a natural hair care product line. After going to several salons and an endless search of locally produced products that truly work for afro natural hair, it was clear that there was a HUGE gap in the market for professionally formulated products for natural hair. Thokozile, like many other women, struggled with extremely dry hair. This, and the lack of knowledge, led to intense research and experimentation with natural ingredients such as Shea butter and avocado oil for skin and hair. After several years of research, formulations and product testing, Thokozile launched Nilotiqa, a line of products that are proudly made from organic and naturally formed ingredients to deeply moisturize and nourish natural hair.

Jodi Fittinghoff, a South African leading designer and manufacturer of customized bags and packaging

April 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Jodi Fittinghoff, co-owner, Jodam Manufacturers (South Africa)

Companies looking for customized bags manufactured to the highest standards and produced locally in South Africa know that Jodam Manufacturers, founded by Jodi Fittinghoff, is the place to go. Operating for 35 years, the business has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that produces the highest quality bags with innovative design and creativity at their heart.

Indrani Govender, a construction business founder, creating jobs and changing lives

April 18, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Indrani Govender, founder, Ricinz Construction (South Africa)

Indrani Govender is the founder and owner of Ricinz Construction, a business established in 2010 in South Africa which today employs 20 people. The single mother of two boys, Indrani is an award winning entrepreneur recognized for her business and the number of jobs she has created in the community. Her passion is to uplift women and youth and ensure a better life for those who have given up on life. She now strives to create wealth for all her employees.

Nunu Mugyenyi, Angel Nkwaya and Janet Mugume, three Ugandan entrepreneurs building an award-winning retail outlet

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

In Uganda, if you are looking for the most exciting apparel and home decor brands, then you need go no further than the Bold in Africa retail outlet, launched back in 2012 by co-founders Nunu Mugyenyi, Angel Nkwaya and Janet Mugume. Today, the business is going from strength to strength, now showcasing over forty emerging apparel and home décor brands from countries across the African continent including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa.

Gladys Kgorane, a South African agripreneur supplying farm fresh produce to her customers

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Gladys Kgorane, founder, Caleb's Farm (South Africa)

Gladys Kgorane is the founder and owner of Caleb's farm in Potchefstroom, South Africa, a niche agri business that supplies farm fresh products, eggs, free range chickens, sheep packages and pork packages for its customers. As a family oriented entrepreneur, Gladys is married with three children, she started her farming business on her smallholding back in 2013. Today she has seen it grow substantially from those early days, and now supplies 30 trays of eggs daily to customers, in addition to a wide range of farm fresh meat and fresh vegetables.

Sibongile Mongadi, a young South African trailblazing entrepreneur creating prosthetics for amputees

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Sibongile Mongadi, founder, Uku’hamba (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

For those living with a disability as a result of being an amputee, life can be challenging and independence is something longed for by many. But hope is on the horizon, thanks to Sibongile Mongadi, founder of Uku’hamba (Pty) Ltd, a company producing lightweight prosthetics for amputees living with disability. Her work is helping to give amputees their independence and their dignity back, and improve their life conditions in general.

Shamilah Damons, a South African data scientist helping companies with their digital solutions

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Shamilah Damons, founder, Shammah Innovative Solutions (South Africa)

Shammah Innovative Solutions is an information technology company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is an EME with 100% black women ownership and Level 1 B-BBEE rating. Shammah aims to provide digital solutions to small and large companies. Data is currently considered as any organisation's most valuable commodity, and Shammah’s goal is to use intelligent data processing techniques to provide integrated business solutions that deliver accurate, efficient and timely results.

Nondumiso Pikashe, a South African entrepreneur creating a proud indigenous wine brand (2021)

March 28, 2021 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.

Sandra Mauricio Vuvu, an entrepreneur from the DRC, now building an organic beauty brand in South Africa

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Sandra Mauricio Vuvu, founder of Vuvu Organic Beauty (DRC/South Africa)

The rapidly growing global market for organic beauty products is one that Vuvu Organic Beauty, founded by Sandra Mauricio Vuvu, is now tapping into. Born in Angola, originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, and growing up in South Africa, Sandra’s passion for beauty and skincare started when she was 17 years old. She watched her mother have such beautiful fashion sense and the beauty products that she used made her want to know more about beauty herself. Sandra qualified as a beauty therapist where she gained more insight in beauty before launching her business.

Ijeoma Onuoha, a Nigerian fashion brand builder creating stylish yet affordable fashion for women

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Ijeoma Onuoha, founder of Asoebigirl Limited (Nigeria)

Every woman wants to feel and look good, and finding the right stylish clothing for any occasion plays such an important part in that process. In Nigeria, entrepreneur Ijeoma Onuoha, founder of fashion business Asoebigirl Limited and creator of the brand, Touchbyasoebigirl, is bringing her stylish designs within reach of every discerning woman.

Itumeleng Tshikalaha, a South African art entrepreneur sparking curiosity in the visual arts

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Itumeleng Tshikalaha, founder of 132 Art Gallery (South Africa) — **Itumeleng Tshikalaha**, founder of 132 Art Gallery (South Africa)

If you have ever visited an art gallery in Africa, you will know that there is a vibrant and growing art scene on the continent and one that is exciting art collectors both at home and abroad. In South Africa, the 132 Art Gallery, founded by entrepreneur Itumeleng Tshikalaha, aims to promote the work of talented established and emerging African artists to discerning collectors.

Millicent Motsoeri, a South African entrepreneur making vacations affordable for working people

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Everyone loves to take a vacation during the year, but often when the time comes to stop work and take a trip, funds can be in short supply. In South Africa, entrepreneur Millicent Motsoeri, co-founder of Heita Ngamla Holidays, has created a vehicle for customers to pre-pay for their vacations over time, making them more accessible to everyone.

Cate Olifant, an award winning South African paint manufacturing entrepreneur

March 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Cate Olifant, founder & CEO of Akani Paints (South Africa)

Paint is big business, something Cate Olifant, founder and CEO of Akani Paints (Pty) Ltd in South Africa, knows all about. Her manufacturing business, launched in 2015, focuses on producing water based paint for commercial and industrial markets. Today, the business employs 8 permanent staff members, many from local townships. Cate has been recognised for her business acumen with the Business Achiever Award 2018 for Emerging Entrepreneur by the Limpopo Business Women's Association of South Africa. She has more than 15 years of business experience as a former contractor.

Emelia Maliti-Ntshwe, a South African entrepreneur manufacturing and retailing unique furniture

March 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Emelia Maliti-Ntshwe, owner of Hands of Ru Haus Interiors (South Africa)

Emelia Maliti-Ntshwe is a South African entrepreneur and the owner of Hands of Ru Haus Interiors, otherwise known as Ru Haus Furniture Manufacturers, which she launched in 2016. The business has a factory in Mahikeng and showroom in Hartbeesport. Emelia has a background in communications having studied for her BA Communications and Masters Of Business Administration (MBA) In Leadership And Human Resource. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, she ventured into the field of training in Internal Communications, Public Relations, and Leadership Skills, extending her passion for Women And Youth empowerment. She gives talks to graduate and post-graduate students at Universities, Women In Government Departments, and the youth within her community. Emelia also volunteers serving as Chair on the Mahikeng Campus Alumni Support Committee Of The North West University (NWU). She has been recognised with many accolades for her work over the years including being the winner of the prestigious NWU Alumni Awards In Business Leadership 2019, and the winner in Productivity South Africa’s Regional Awards 2019 For Best Emerging Sector: Manufacturing, for her company Hands Of Ru Furniture Manufacturers.

Judy Maina, a Kenyan entrepreneur manufacturing bespoke leather goods

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Judy Maina, founder Siafu Leather (Kenya)

There is something rewarding in creating a bespoke product for a customer, especially when that product has been handcrafted using the finest raw materials. Siafu Leather, fouded by Judy Maina in Kenya, is doing just that, and her customers are loving the end results.

Kátia Agy, a Mozambican entrepreneur creating edible bouquets for every celebration

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Kátia Agy, founder of The Food Lounge Mz (Mozambique)

Kátia Agy, known as a singer and TV presenter, is also the founder of Food Lounge Mz. The business is focused on making edible bouquets using fresh fruits and chocolates. For the past 7 years, this business has been the main source of income for Kátia, and now also her three employees. Creating a new business concept to present to people in their daily lives has been a constant challenge, but creativity and focus have been winners in such a competitive market! The Food Lounge Mz now has its sights on growth and becoming the largest chocolate maker in Mozambique.

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