Sebenzile Matsebula – The startup story of an inspirational South African entrepreneur who proves that disability is not a barrier to success

February 4, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Sebenzile Matsebula, founder of Motswako Office Systems, South Africa — **Sebenzile Matsebula**, founder of Motswako Office Systems, South Africa

Sebenzile Matsebula, the founder of Motswako Office Systems, is proof positive that if you have the ambition, are prepared to work exceptionally hard, and demonstrate to others that you are an entrepreneur first and foremost and successful at what you do, then disability is not a barrier to success.

February designated Design Month as Lionesses of Africa celebrates the continent’s talented women designers

February 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Africa has always had a vibrant design scene, but no more so than today, with a host of incredibly talented young women designers emerging from every corner of the continent. So, at Lionesses of Africa, we are declaring the month of February as Design Month, each day showcasing some of the finest design talent and telling their unique start-up stories.

Jenna Clifford - The startup story of a world-renowned South African jewellery designer and entrepreneur

February 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Jenna Clifford, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs, South Africa — **Jenna Clifford**, founder of Jenna Clifford Designs, South Africa

Jenna is an inspirational example to women entrepreneurs across Africa that despite significant challenges in personal and business life, with many setbacks and considerable personal heartache along the way, it is possible to find business success.

Jennifer Riria: A model leader for women’s empowerment

February 1, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Dr. Jennifer Riria (second from left) CEO of Kenya Women Holding — Dr. Jennifer Riria (second from left) CEO of Kenya Women Holding

Source: Women's World Banking | by Gayle Gatchalian | 1 February 2015

Few women in the microfinance world are as recognizable as Jennifer Riria. She is the CEO of Kenya Women Holding, twice-voted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (East Africa and Kenya respectively in 2013 and 2014) and a Ford Foundation “Champion of Democracy.” She was first female Board Member of the Nairobi Stock Exchange and the Chair of Post Office Savings Bank for four years. She is also the chair of Women’s World Banking’s Board of Trustees. This level of success however, more so for a woman in a patriarchal society like Kenya, was not easy.

Kofo Akinkugbe founder of SecureID Nigeria unveils state-of-the-art new smartcard manufacturing plant

January 29, 2015 Melanie Hawken

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SecureID founded by one of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs, Kofo Akinkugbe, commissioned a brand new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on January 19th. This new facility in Lagos is a world class, EMV-certified smartcard manufacturing plant – the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Essential Viewing: Dr Ola Orekunrin talks 'Womenomics' at TEDx Berlin

January 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Source: TEDx Berlin | Published on January 26, 2015

Dr. Ola Orekunrin is an inspirational social entrepreneur, medical doctor, and trainee helicopter pilot who founded West Africa’s first air ambulance service, Flying Doctors Nigeria, which saves hundreds of lives across the region every year. Watch this fascinating TEDx Berlin presentation by Ola on the strength of women in business and "Womenomics".

Divine Ndhlukula queen of Africa's security industry has her sights set on regional expansion

January 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services, Zimbabwe — Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services, Zimbabwe

Source: News Day Zimbabwe | January 27, 2015

Leading woman entrepreneur and queen of Africa's security industry, Divine Ndhlukula, talks about her plans to expand Securico's operations beyond Zimbabwe into Mozambique. “In 2015 our major thrust is to look beyond the borders, we would want to begin with Mozambique and we have already done the ground work. We are hoping by end of this year it will be operational and then going forward will work towards opening other branches in Zambia among many other countries in Africa.”

Tara Fela-Durotoye - Africa's beauty industry trailblazer featured on CNN African Voices

January 27, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder and CEO of House of Tara International, Nigeria — **Tara Fela-Durotoye**, founder and CEO of House of Tara International, Nigeria

Source: CNN African Voices | January 26, 2015

Tara Fela-Durotoye is founder and CEO of House of Tara International, a household name in her native Lagos, her company develops makeup, perfume and accessories all created specifically to meet the needs of Africa's beauty market. Learn more about this inspiring woman entrepreneur who is rapidly developing her pan-African cosmetics and beauty training brand in this fascinating interview.

Karin Rae Matthee - The startup story of the creative designer behind Dear Rae Jewellery

January 26, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Karin Rae Matthee, founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, South Africa — **Karin Rae Matthee**, founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, South Africa

In the world of jewellery design in South Africa, Karen Rae Matthee is a young entrepreneur with a vision, a unique design and creative aesthetic, and a deep commitment to skills development and upliftment in her community.

Ego Iwegbu-Daley - The start up story of the never-say-die entrepreneur behind Miss Salon London nail boutique

January 24, 2015 Melanie Hawken

The start up story of a serial entrepreneur who has created a unique business in South Africa by elevating the nailbar to a world-class boutique and luxury girls club experience.

Vogue Italia 'Scouting for Africa' final shortlist includes 3 talented women designers

January 23, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi (Ghana), Loza Maléombho (Ivory Coast), Katherine-Mary Pichulik (South Africa) — Akosua Afriyie-Kumi (Ghana), Loza Maléombho (Ivory Coast), Katherine-Mary Pichulik (South Africa)

Vogue Italia has announced the final shortlist for its "Scouting for Africa" contest, an event organized by Vogue Talents in collaboration with the International Business Consortium Nigeria Limited. Included on the final shortlist of 11 designers are 3 of Lionesses of Africa's favourite women designers on the continent, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi of AAKS in Ghana, Loza Maléombho from Ivory Coast, and Pichulik by Katherine-Mary Pichulik from South Africa. We wish all three women the very best of luck in winning the ultimate accolade and prizes.

Entrepreneur Advice from Swaady Martin: Building a brand takes creativity and lots of hard work

January 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Swaady Martin-Leke, founder of YSWARA — **Swaady Martin-Leke**, founder of YSWARA

It takes creativity, commitment and hard work to build a successful brand....

"We are aiming at creating a globally recognized luxury brand so there is never a moment of rest. We are and need to constantly push the limits of excellence, creativity and beauty. We are constantly benchmarking ourselves to the global brands and know we still have some work to do."

- Swaady Martin-Leke, an Ivorian entrepreneur, is founder of YSWARA, a growing African luxury brand. YSWARA creates elegant, high-end products using the continent’s natural resources, all produced by African artisans. Products include gourmet tea, chocolates and home and accessories collections such as homeware, spoons, home fragrances and artisan jewellery. Swaady aims to capture a true spirit of African luxury by reviving Africa’s endangered cultural heritage and unique ancestral craftsmanship. YSWARA is present in 4 countries -- South Africa, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and France -- with 15 different direct and indirect retail points.

Tech Hero: Rapelang Rabana

January 22, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Rapelang Rabana, founder of Rekindle Learning (South Africa) — **Rapelang Rabana**, founder of Rekindle Learning (South Africa)

Source: InfoRocked | by by Anesh Sukhnandan | 22 January 2015

The temptation to idolize an international role model seems as natural as the globalization of business celebrities, who becomes more mainstream with young entrepreneurs, regularly glorified as they sell their start up for millions, rather billions of dollars. Why stray so far away when these stars can be found on our shores.