Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas

July 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Setšong Tea Crafters, an agri-business specialising in the crafting of speciality indigenous teas from the natural flora found in South Africa’s rural Limpopo

A former quantity surveyor turned social entrepreneur, Retang Phaahla is the co-founder and CEO of Setšong Tea Crafters in South Africa, and the winner of the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award. Her business celebrates indigenous tea knowledge while driving rural development. Based in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, the majority women-owned social enterprise collaborates with communities to produce a range of health-promoting teas (known for calming nerves, relieving tension, and supporting balanced blood pressure), and hosts cultural tours to promote eco-tourism and preserve heritage. Setšong’s business model has created sustainable income streams for rural women while reviving ancient botanical traditions. The business was launched in 2017 and has created 30 jobs for local people.

Prizing More

July 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Earlier this year, I made a deliberately planned stop in Oxford on my way to the Paris Marathon to spend a few days on the sidelines of the Skoll World Forum. I was curious to see how leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers are thinking about systems change today.

Business Growth: Processes That Enable SMEs to Scale Sustainably

July 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“You don’t build a business – you build processes, and the processes build the business.” – Anonymous

Scaling isn’t just about selling more—it’s about delivering more with consistency, efficiency, and control. Without scalable processes, growth quickly leads to chaos, service breakdowns, and overwhelmed teams. Sustainable growth requires SMEs to invest in processes that can grow with them.

From 34% to 10%? Why the Real Unemployment Question Is About Visibility, Not Just Stats

July 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Sasha Knott

South Africa is having something of a statistical identity crisis. Recently, Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie questioned the country’s official unemployment rate of 32.9%, suggesting it might be closer to 10% if we included the informal sector – gig workers, informal traders, and side hustlers. Minister Parks Tau echoed the sentiment. Stats SA, however, held firm. While that debate sparks headlines, it may be missing the bigger picture. The real issue? We’re still not connecting the right people to the right jobs – fast enough or far enough. “Arguing whether unemployment is 34% or 10% misses the point,” says Sasha Knott, Global CEO of Job Crystal. “The real debate should be: how do we reduce unemployment? If 24% of our workforce is in the informal sector, why aren’t we building tools to help those businesses grow and hire more?”

Sisterhood Superpower: How collaboration can fuel an African woman’s entrepreneurial dreams

July 25, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, Founder & CEO, ZER Consulting Africa

"Our legacy is more than just our business. When we empower others, especially our fellow women, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate sphere."

Africa is alive with audacious dreams, bustling tech hubs, and villages brimming with innovation. And guess who's increasingly at the forefront, turning those visions into reality and disrupting industries? African women entrepreneurs! But here’s the honest truth: even the most brilliant idea, the most meticulously crafted strategy, can feel like a marathon without the right gear and running buddy.

Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity

July 20, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Tumelo Tshwagong, co-owner, Tshwagong Farm (South Africa)

Startup Story

Tumelo Tshwagong is a co-owner of Tshwagong Farm, a family-owned business focused on livestock and Indigenous vegetable farming, and located in Koster in the Northwest province of South Africa. Tumelo is a passionate female farmer devoted to cultivating change from the ground up. Tshwagong Farm was established in 2021 with Tumelo at the helm as a Managing Director, supported by a team of four. Her work goes beyond farming as she sees it as a form of preservation, a movement to reignite ancestral food sources and confront the growing crisis of food insecurity. She passionately believes that every seed she plants, every field she tends, carries the vision of a resilient, self-sustaining future.

Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting

July 20, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In the book, Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business, author Liz Elting, one of the most celebrated and successful women in America, has created a guide for how to not only dream big, but also win―both in business and in life.

What we're loving this week

July 20, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

In this week’s spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, we are showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable, quality products that discerning and impact-driven customers want to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, a business creating beautiful floral arrangements and gift boxes; Dvyn Treat Batamba, a great growing coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia Banda Tambatamba, and assisting SMEs in the country with tailored coffee machinery solutions and premium fresh roasted coffee beans; The 1964 Brand in Nigeria, founded by Olakunmi Oni, a fashion business that proudly promotes self-care through striking minimalist clothing for the modern woman; Mapholo Ratau, founder of Ledikana in South Africa, a business creating high quality, contemporary clothing designs that are a celebration of South African culture; and Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, founder of the AAKS brand in Ghana, a luxury handmade woven handbag brand delighting customers around the world.

Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga

July 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Gloria Sellwane Phala, founder and Chief Executive Officer, GangaYuj Yoga Studio (South Africa)

Startup Story

Gloria Sellwane Phala is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of GangaYuj Yoga Studio in South Africa. Drawing on more than 20 years of corporate experience, she established the studio in 2023 after completing a sabbatical year in India, where she deepened her practice and understanding of yoga. This transformative period inspired her shift into entrepreneurship upon her return to the workforce. The business is committed to ensuring clients benefit from the profound, transformative impact of yoga. She is currently the sole employee who arranges contract-based outsourcing of yoga instructors.

Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

July 19, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Igaaza Creations, a Uganda-based social enterprise promoting literacy through children’s storybook publishing and capacity building

Dr Margaret Kemigisha is the founder and CEO of Igaaza Creations, a Uganda-based social enterprise that promotes literacy through the publishing of children’s storybooks, offers social research consulting, and builds capacity among fresh graduates. Her work bridges development and applied research, supporting governments, development organizations, and the private sector with evidence-based solutions and creative tools for impact.

Leadership Today: A Focus on Women

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Why Investing in Your Leadership Matters — A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the introduction of a Women in Leadership course at WITS Business School. It got me thinking about a question I often hear: “Is a leadership course really worth it?”

The power of social media screening in high-level recruitment

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

Background — A leading recruiter in South Africa was tasked with filling a critical vacancy for a senior-level IT developer at a major fintech firm. The position had remained open for months due to a significant shortage of highly skilled IT professionals in the country. Pressure was mounting to secure a candidate with the right blend of expertise, leadership, and innovation.

Designing with Purpose: Creating an Inner Circle that Matches Your Mission

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

There are seasons in life when growth feels like acceleration. There are others when it feels like pruning. But in every season, one thing remains constant: who walks with you matters just as much as where you are going.

Performance Management: Measuring the ROI of Process Improvements

July 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

"In business, every decision is an investment. ROI is how we learn if that investment was smart." – Melinda Emerson

Process improvements aren’t just about making workflows smoother or reducing frustration—they are business decisions meant to deliver real value. To understand the effectiveness of those improvements, it is a good practice to measure their return on investment (ROI). Doing so helps justify the change, builds confidence, and informs future decisions.

What we're loving this week

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

In this week’s spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, we are showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable, quality products that discerning and impact-driven customers want to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Helen Viljoen, founder of Nebü, a transparently priced, pure investment-grade gold jewellery brand inspired by and made in South Africa; Wendren Setzer, founder of The Wren Design located in South Africa, a sustainable manufacturing lifestyle accessories brand using reclaimed strong paper; Shop Soko, co-founded by Ella Peinovich, Gwendolyn Floyd, and Catherine Mahugu, a jewellery brand empowering artisans in Kenya; Ruff 'n' Tumble, an indigenous premium brand for quality children’s clothing, shoes and accessories in Nigeria, founded by Adenike Ogunlesi; and Dounia Home, the innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor brand founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper.

After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In her new book, After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup, entrepreneurship expert Julia Austin shares battle-tested strategies to help founders and startup joiners build their venture from the ground up.

Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Sunshine Cinema, Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network, bridging storytelling, activism and youth empowerment

Sydelle Willow Smith is a storyteller, impact producer, and co-founder of Sunshine Cinema—Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network. A 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award finalist, Sydelle’s work bridges storytelling and activism, empowering youth in under-resourced communities to become media entrepreneurs and drive dialogue through film. With a background in African Studies and documentary filmmaking, she is passionate about reclaiming narrative spaces and amplifying voices from the margins.

Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Nondumiso Leshaba, co-founder, LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nondumiso Leshaba is a distinguished Chartered Bookkeeper and the visionary Managing Director of LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd in South Africa. In both her companies, Nondumiso has been instrumental in shaping their strategic direction. Her dynamic skill set, which ranges from policy writing to graphic design, has enabled her to lead with a unique perspective. Nondumiso's ability to craft comprehensive policies ensures that both LemonSalt and BlueDenim operate with efficiency and compliance, while her flair for graphic design brings a creative edge to the company's branding and marketing efforts. LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd was established in 2019 and registered in 2020. BlueDenim was registered in 2025. The businesses employs 7 people.

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, an entrepreneur on a mission to grow small scale miners around the African continent

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings

Startup Story

Anneline Lucinda Lopis is the sole owner and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings started in 2016, based in Johannesburg and 60% shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) Zambia Limited started in 2019 in Lusaka Zambia. A Mining and Minerals Consulting Firm. Her core business activities are mining and trading of various minerals, which drive her vision of growing small scale miners around Africa.

The Backbone of Great Leadership: Owning Your Role

July 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

Leadership is not about titles, authority, or being in charge. It’s about taking ownership. At the heart of every successful team or business lies one powerful trait: accountability. When leaders lead by example and take full responsibility for their actions, their words carry weight and their teams thrive.

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