Spark South Africa is on a mission - to search across the country for female startup founders who have launched a venture that exists to improve the lives of women and girls. The SHE programme believes that women are the best levers for change in South Africa, and it recognises that female founders need help if they are to succeed. And, they need that help now.
Read moreVideo: Melanie Hawken founder of Lionesses of Africa talks about her online platform for women entrepreneurs
Source: GIBS Business School Gordon Institute of Business Science | Published on May 27, 2015
Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief, LIONESSES OF AFRICA talks about her online platform that showcases and brings Africa's women entrepreneurs together.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Eunice Cofie: You've got to believe in yourself
Eunice Cofie, founder and CEO of Nuekie, Ghana
Starting a business is not easy, but you need to believe in yourself....
"Starting a business is not easy. I think the hardest thing for me in the beginning was believing in myself and my abilities. I would tell women who want to start a company to believe in themselves and their business idea. When you believe in yourself you can work wonders."
- Eunice Cofie is the founder, President and Chief Cosmetic Chemist of Nuekie, an innovative health and beauty company that combines traditional African medicine and modern science to develop products and services to meet the unique needs of people of colour. Eunice harnesses her passion for science to make a difference to people’s lives and, at the same, building a new global health and beauty powerhouse. Eunice is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry/molecular biology.
Read moreEssential Read: 'Your Moment' by Tumi Frazier
Tumi Frazier, author of 'Your Moment'
In her book, Your Moment, international keynote speaker and life coach, Tumi Frazier, shares her insights and advice on how women can seize their own personal moment and build the positive mindset and self-confidence needed to achieve key goals and ambitions.
Read moreEthel Cofie - The startup story of a woman helping to change the face of the tech sector in Africa
Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies (Ghana)
If there is a stand-out dynamic woman techpreneur in Africa who is challenging the industry status quo and helping other women to spearhead a new and innovative era in the sector on the continent, then it is Ethel Cofie, founder of Edel Technologies in Ghana.
Read moreTigui Traoré - The startup story of a visionary Guinean fashionpreneur elevating Afrochic to a whole new level
Tigui Traoré (L), founder of Cocostyle (Guinea)
The Bold Kampala World Tour Wows the Fashion Crowd in Kigali
Ngyenzi 'Nunu' Mugyenyi (Top), Janet Mugume (L) and Angel Kalisa (R) , founders of BOLD Kampala
Kigali, Rwanda, 16 May 2015 - The creative team at African fashion retailer, Bold Kampala, continued their hugely successful world tour, with Kigali being the latest destination for these innovative fashionistas. Here, the Bold Kampala tour teamed up with local Kigali favourite, House of Tayo, providing the perfect venue for local fashion buyers to check out some of the very best African creations.
Read moreMary-Anne Grobler - The startup story of a trend-setting jewellery business with an eye for natural raw materials
Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter, of Matter of Fakt (South Africa)
South Africa is renowned for its precious and semi-precious stones and for one of the country’s up-and-coming jewellery design brands, Matter of Fakt, these wonderful raw materials provide all the inspiration needed to create unique contemporary pieces.
Read moreAward Winning Woman: Schwab Foundation selects Amina Slaoui from Morocco as 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee for MENA
Amina Slaoui, founder of Groupe AMH (Morocco)
Dead Sea, Jordan, 22 May 2015 – Amina Slaoui, the inspirational founder of Groupe AMH in Morocco has been named one of three social entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa to be recognized by the Schwab Foundation as a 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awardees for MENA.
Read moreIt’s a Great Time to be a Millennial Woman Entrepreneur in Africa
Source: Hai Afrika | by Melanie Hawken | 21 May 2015
After years of global economic pressure and lots of business uncertainty in the marketplace, there are signs of a new wave of optimism amongst entrepreneurs, Interestingly, this charge is being led by millennials who want to do things differently.
Read moreVideo: Pietie Coetzee-Turner sporting legend and founder of PC15 talks about her entrepreneurial journey
4 Steps to learning the art of delegation
Guest Post by: Karen Wessels, co-founder and COO of VA Connect
What is one of the many traits of a highly successful business person? Having the power to let go! That’s right, I know that delegating is an art and it is a skill that you need to develop and hone.
Read moreQuote of the Day
Merel Van Der Woude, Creative Director at Butterfly Works
“Since the population in Africa is very young, it is mostly the youth that are affected by unemployment. I believe that it is crucial for self-esteem and identity development to be able to generate your own income. I do feel that the informal sector is also important, even though it is hard to measure – it is where many young people create their own businesses and use their creativity to find opportunities.”
- Merel Van Der Woude is the Creative Director at Butterfly Works, a creative and strategic partner in social innovation projects in Africa. Butterfly Works have co-created and implemented educational and communication projects in over 22 emerging economies worldwide. Over the years they have worked for NGOs, companies, governments and embassies. Merel has been a speaker and workshop facilitator and trainer for a wide range of events around innovation, education and human centred design.
Read moreRachel Phiri - The startup story of a Zimbabwean jewellery designer with an independent creative spirit
Rachel Phiri, founder of Silverbox Jewellery (Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwean jewellery designer, Rachel Phiri, founded her company Silverbox Jewellery based on a passion for beautiful accessories and an inbuilt creativity that was looking for an outlet. The result is a jewellery business being built across two countries in Africa, and involving the family and their talents in its growth and development.
Read moreDeola Sagoe receives world-wide acclaim for her 2015 Spring/Summer collection tagged ‘Wings By Deola’
Deola Sagoe, founder and designer, Deola (Nigeria)
Breathtaking was the word used to describe the latest designs created and launched by Africa’s Queen of Haute Couture, Deola Sagoe, who was showcasing her Spring/Summer 2015 Collection tagged “Wings By Deola”, at the prestigious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York this month.
Read moreEssential Read: 'Mumpreneur' by Annabel Karmel
Annabel Karmel, author of 'Mumpreneur'
In her new book, Mumpreneur, the UK’s leading children’s cookery author, Annabel Karmel, shares her insights and experience in building a successful brand and business empire, from the perspective of a full-time Mum of three children.
Read moreAsma Dukanda - The startup story of a unique baby clothing entrepreneur celebrating traditional South African textile design
Asma Dukanda, founder of Mokopu (South Africa)
The African marketplace for beautifully designed and crafted baby and children’s wear and toy products is continually growing, and with it are emerging some wonderful new design talents in this space. South African entrepreneur, Asma Dukanda, is just such a talent, creating a great new niche for herself and her clothing and products, all of which celebrate the best of the country’s traditional fabric design culture.
Read moreLaura Nyahuye - The startup story of an avant garde Zimbabwean designer challenging existing notions of jewellery design
Laura Nyahuye, founder of AdornU (Zimbabwe)
There is a real sense of drama about the design work of Laura Nyahuye and her brand, AdornU, who is challenging convention and creating sculptural adornments for the body that speak volumes for the individuality and confidence of the wearer.
Read moreLesley Erica Scott inventor of 'Smartspot TBcheck' wins top Innovation Prize
Lesley Erica Scott receiving her award for Social Impact and a US$25 000 prize
SKHIRAT, Morocco, May 14, 2015 --- The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) honoured three winners of the 2015 edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) at a glittering ceremony hosted in Skhirat, Morocco. Lesley Erica Scott, the South African inventor of 'Smartspot TBcheck' was awarded the Special Prize for Social Impact, receiving a US$25 000 prize. The 'Smartspot TBcheck' is a device that provides a solution for measuring the accuracy of machines used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Read moreLittle Bo Baby Company launches its Mandela Day 'Remembrance Doll Competition'
Gayathrie Schatz, founder of The Little Bo Baby Company
With Mandela Day approaching on 18 July 2015, Little Bo Baby Company, founded by the wonderfully creative Gayathrie Schatz, is aiming to make a difference by running a very special competition in remembrance of the great icon. Children from schools and children’s homes around South Africa are being invited to share what Nelson Mandela meant to them and submit their drawing for a 'Remembrance Doll Competition'. Five lucky children will have their drawing of Nelson Mandela turned into a plush toy!
Read more