Sibabalwe Sesmani and Zuziwe Mkhwanazi - The startup story of a South African PR company that takes a pioneering approach to industry positioning

July 19, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Zuziwe Mkhwanazi and Sibabalwe Sesmani, co-founders of Unorthodox PR & Media Group (South Africa) — **Zuziwe Mkhwanazi and Sibabalwe Sesmani**, co-founders of Unorthodox PR & Media Group (South Africa)

The all-woman entrepreneurial team behind South African niche PR company, Unorthodox, live up to their name as they take a unique approach to the corporate public relations, communications and partnerships they undertake. The dynamic duo of Sibabalwe Sesmani and Zuziwe Mkhwanazi work exclusively with corporates and differentiate themselves in the marketplace by dealing with "firsts" in their industry. They strive to create their own genre of public relations, one that specializes in corporates and thought leaders of industries.

Essential Read: 'Contemporary Design Africa' by Tapiwa Matsinde - Africa’s flourishing contemporary design scene revealed for the first time

July 17, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tapiwa Matsinde, author of 'Contemporary Design Africa' — Tapiwa Matsinde, author of 'Contemporary Design Africa'

In her beautifully presented and insightfully written new book, Contemporary Design Africa, British/Zimbabwean designer, writer and blogger, Tapiwa Matsinde, showcases the work of some of the most creative, inspirational contemporary designers, artisans and cooperatives from across the African continent. Many of the talented women who are leading the way in developing Africa’s contemporary design industries take centre stage.

Nozuko Teto - The startup story of a uniquely talented South African Opera singer, who made her incredible voice the foundation of her entrepreneurial journey

July 15, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Nozuko Teto, opera singer and founder of Adesso Enterprises (South Africa) — **Nozuko Teto**, opera singer and founder of Adesso Enterprises (South Africa)

In the eyes of the world, Africa and music have long been synonymous, and indeed, hugely respected and revered. Today, one South African woman is proving that the most wonderful musical talent, underpinned by an entrepreneurial spirit, is a powerful combination in this tradition. Gifted Opera singer, Nozuko Teto, is showing the world’s connoisseurs that she is a musical and entrepreneurial force to be reckoned with, and a true inspiration to the generation of young women who are following in her footsteps.

4 Brilliant young Nigerian high school girls scoop 2015 Technovation Challenge Award held in San Francisco for their amazing mobile app to tackle waste disposal

July 14, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Team Charis from Nigeria: Praise David-Oku, Sonam Kumar, Nmesoma Ogbonna, and Grace Akpoiroro — **Team Charis** from Nigeria: Praise David-Oku, Sonam Kumar, Nmesoma Ogbonna, and Grace Akpoiroro

Four brilliant young high-school girls: Praise David-Oku, Sonam Kumar, Nmesoma Ogbonna, and Grace Akpoiroro, representing Team Charis from Nigeria, have been selected as winners of the 2015 Technovation Challenge held in San Francisco. These talented girls developed a mobile app to tackle the waste disposal challenge in Nigeria. Their app, called, ‘Discardious’, was pitched against 400 other apps that were submitted to this year's Technovation Challenge from 28 countries. The girls managed to triumph over the competition and their innovation won them the High School section.

Tetsi & Lynn Bugaari and Nuba Elamin - The startup story of Buqisi-Ruux, a stylish African shoe brand creating wearable art with soul for the feet

July 13, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Tetsi & Lynn Bugaari and Nuba Elamin, founders of Buqisi-Ruux (Kenya) — **Tetsi & Lynn Bugaari and Nuba Elamin**, founders of Buqisi-Ruux (Kenya)

Beautiful shoes and women have long been synonymous with one another. In the case of the three talented women entrepreneurs behind the wonderfully creative Kenyan shoe design brand, Buqisi-Ruux, their design inspiration comes directly from the personal stories of the women around them. Nuba Elamin, Lynn Bugaari and Tetsi Bugaari are taking the art of African storytelling to new heights, creating wearable art for the feet, and individual shoe designs that are named after the African women whose stories inspire them. Genuine inspiration for the soul or make that sole!

Celebrating South Africa’s leading women designers, food producers and winemakers at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair

July 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Following on from last year’s hugely successful event, which attracted hordes of local foodies and fashionistas, there is already much talk and anticipation around the forthcoming 2015 Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair, which is returning to Johannesburg, South Africa, from 9 to 11 October 2015.

TREND WATCH: Co-work spaces just for women. Can these dedicated new spaces help Africa's women entrepreneurs break down barriers in the male-dominated startup world on the continent?

July 10, 2015 Melanie Hawken

One Roof Co-working spaces for women entrepreneurs, Venice Beach, CA, United States — One Roof Co-working spaces for women entrepreneurs, Venice Beach, CA, United States

There is a real global buzz about co-working spaces providing a great launchpad for young entrepreneurs who want to hit the ground running, stay lean and fast, and keep operational costs to a minimum. So, will the creation of dynamic new women co-working spaces in Africa help to drive a new and empowering era for women entrepreneurs on the continent? This month, Lionesses of Africa speaks to two young pioneering women entrepreneurs from the US and Australia who are globally rolling out these women co-working spaces, and who are looking at Africa as a possible next destination.

Mellisa Mazingi - The startup story of a Zimbabwean online fashion retailer with a vision to grow the country’s fashion sector

July 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Mellisa Mazinga, founder of zedlabel (Zimbabwe) — **Mellisa Mazinga**, founder of zedlabel (Zimbabwe)

The African fashion industry is definitely on the move, and in Zimbabwe one woman fashion retail-preneur is realising her vision to put the country’s fashion designers on the map, and create an innovative online retail fashion outlet to showcase their work. Mellisa Mazingi and her company zedlabel, is an African fashion-preneur with a big vision and big ideas - a name to watch on the continent.

Entrepreneur Advice from Faraja Nyalandu - Women need to believe in themselves

July 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Faraja Nyalandu, founder Shule Direct (Tanzania) — **Faraja Nyalandu**, founder Shule Direct (Tanzania)

Women need to believe in themselves....

"We have all heard what we are capable of. Now, we just need to own the accolades. I have met women who have all the details figured out, but they are still too scared to take the next step. They just need to take that leap of faith. Believe in yourself and believe in your ideas. So long as they are solving a problem, you are on the right track."

- Faraja Nyalandu is an inspirational edupreneur and the founder of Shule Direct in Tanzania. Her company creates local and accessible digital educational content for Secondary School students designed around the Tanzanian National Curriculum. She has built an adaptable platform to make this content available on a range of devices from the most basic mobiles to full-featured desktop learning portals.

Lionesses of Africa celebrates the continent’s most inspiring women entrepreneurs in beauty and wellness businesses in July

July 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

July is Focus on Africa’s Women Beauty and Wellness Entrepreneurs Month.

This month at Lionesses of Africa we are turning our attention to the women who are changing the face of the beauty and wellness industry in Africa, and creating fabulous new products and brands in the process.

Quote of the Day

July 8, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Bilikiss Adebiyi, founder and CEO of WeCyclers — **Bilikiss Adebiyi**, founder and CEO of WeCyclers

"I definitely think developing countries can build their economies through waste. One of the biggest drivers for the economy is jobs. According to the REI, the US recycling sector employs well over 1.25 million people, I believe that recycling alone can create at least 500,000 jobs in Nigeria."

- Bilikiss Adebiyi is a Nigerian entrepreneur and innovator, and founder and CEO of WeCyclers. This Lagos-based company is focused on giving low-income communities in developing countries a chance to capture value from waste and clean up their neighborhoods through an incentive-based recycling program. Bilikiss holds an MBA from MIT and a Masters degree from Vanderbilt University. She is a 2013 Echoing Green Fellow and WeCyclers were a Sustainia100 Company Award winner in 2014.

BILIKISS ADEBIYI '100 Lionesses' Profile - Meet the woman building Nigeria's recycling sector

July 7, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Meet Bilikiss Adebiyi, the inspiring Nigerian social entrepreneur and founder of WeCyclers. Her multi-award winning company offers waste collection and recycling services to the Lagos informal settlements, where an estimated 66% of Lagosians live.

Clare Kagimu - The startup story of a talented Ugandan interior architect bringing her unique design vision to the UK

July 7, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Clare Kagimu, founder of Phoenix Design (United Kingdom) — **Clare Kagimu**, founder of Phoenix Design (United Kingdom)

Creative entrepreneurs in the interior design and architecture space are by their very nature, highly dynamic individuals with a wonderful eye for detail and a unique way of looking at the world. Clare Kagimu, founder of Phoenix Design, is dynamism personified. As a creative member of the African Diaspora, she showcases the best of her African design talent from her base in the UK, combined with a global perspective and stacks of energy and passion for what she does.

Johanette van Niekerk - The startup story of a South African jewellery and accessories designer whose creative passion turned into a business and a new, positive life direction

July 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Johanette van Niekerk, founder of Sew Good Handmade (South Africa) — **Johanette van Niekerk**, founder of Sew Good Handmade (South Africa)

South Africa has a long tradition of beautiful jewellery and accessories craftmanship and beading, and one creative entrepreneur is taking it to a whole new level with her company, Sew Good Handmade. Johanette van Niekerk is a woman with a wonderful creative soul who sees beautiful design possibilities in everything around her and particularly in the materials she uses. Her handcrafted products are literally kaleidoscopes of colour, designed to lift the spirits of anyone wearing or displaying them.

Essential Read: Feminine Capital - Unlocking the Power of Women Entrepreneurs by Barbara Orser and Catherine Elliott

July 6, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Today, there are over 200,000,000 women business owners around the world. Many of these entrepreneurs are not doing business as usual, nor are they simply leaning in. Rather, according to authors Barbara Orser and Catherine Elliott, they are tapping into feminine capital—the unique skills and sensibilities that they have cultivated as women—to create enviable successes.

Entrepreneur Advice from Mary-Anne Grobler - Never give up on your dream

July 3, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter, co-founders of Matter of Fakt (South Africa) — **Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter**, co-founders of Matter of Fakt (South Africa)

Giving up is not an option....

"Just don’t give up - if you think it is not working, you just have to keep pushing and never give up on your dream."

- Mary-Anne Grobler is the co-founder of Matter of Fakt, an up-and-coming South African jewellery design brand that specialises in crafting raw, semi-precious stone pieces. Mary-Anne originally trained as an art director and worked in the advertising industry for a few years. But, she always knew that she wanted to build her own brand and take control of its destiny.

Calling all Geeky Divas! Applications are open for the W.TEC Girls Technology Camp 2015 in Lagos

July 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Applications are now open for the 2015 W.TEC Girls Technology Camp themed ''Geeky Divas - Grooming ICT-preneurs'', which takes place in Lagos, Nigeria from August 2 - 15, 2015. The aim of camp is to help girls develop an early interest in computers and other information technology.

AMPION is looking forward to your applications for The Ampion Venture Bus Africa 2015!

July 2, 2015 Melanie Hawken

Ampion has opened applications for its third edition of The Ampion Venture Bus Africa which will take over 200 Ampioneers on 5 buses in 2015. Ampion is encouraging young African women entrepreneurs and ICT professionals to jump on Ampion's five 2015 venture bus tours this September through to December. Each tour is a 7-day full-immersion program for developing entrepreneurial skills and creating new ventures in a team-based competition. 50% of the participants will be female, 50% from Africa, 50% from the rest of the world.