the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Deola Sagoe
Paula Matsinhe, founder of Uzuri Creations (Mozambique)
For many consumers, when they think of Mozambican fashion and fabrics, they immediately think of Capulana. And that unique design heritage was the inspiration for Uzuri, founded by entrepreneur Paula Matsinhe, a growing fashion accessory and clothing business in the country.
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Lorna Rutto, founder of EcoPost (Kenya)
Lorna Rutto is a Kenyan eco-preneur, and the inspiring founder of EcoPost, a social enterprise created in response to the need to find alternative waste management solutions to Kenya's huge plastic waste problem. In 2009 she founded her company, which collects plastic waste and manufactures commercially viable, highly durable, and importantly environmentally friendly fencing posts, used widely across Kenya. In 2011, Lorna was recognised by the prestigious Cartier Women's Initiative Awards as their laureate for sub-Saharan Africa.
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Event Report
As part of a programme of special Lioness Lean In Enterprise events taking place across South Africa, 100 growth focused women entrepreneurs came together in Polokwane on 28 August. The aim, to connect them to one another to build business connections, to connect them to financing and business advisory services, and to inspire them to take their businesses to the next level.
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Lubaina Momade, founder of Luzacredito, Ei (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Many people find it difficult to access finance and also ways of becoming better educated in managing money, particularly on a small scale. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Lubaina Momade, founder of Luzacredito, Ei, has built a business to respond to that need.
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by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
A habit is something we do every day that becomes automatic, we do it without thinking. For example, brushing our teeth, making a coffee as we get out of bed, even worrying is a habit we adopt.
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by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life
For this Women’s Month 2019, I had a couple of ideas to share with you, but then I read an article about probably the strongest pack of ladies that one could find in the wild. The South African Wild dog. For many uninformed readers they are just horrific predators that kill in the most gruesome ways possible. Here in Africa, we hope to conserve them as they are an extremely endangered species and nature needs them for the proper circle of life.
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Nicola Luther, CEO of Lunar (South Africa)
Lioness Launch
Fashion consumers are becoming more aware of where their clothing is made, who is making it, and its impact on the environment. For eco-friendly designers, Nicola Luther, CEO of Lunar, and Sonja Stanislaus-Kaw Di-Aping, this is where their inspiration comes from. On the evening of Friday 24 August, Lunar invited their clients to a special celebration of their journey to creating an authentic, earth conscious fashion line in South Africa. The event was hosted at their atelier at 44 Stanley Avenue in Johannesburg.
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Juliana Stancampiano
Book Review
Billions of dollars are spent every year by businesses on initiatives to help their people succeed and perform in their jobs, but much of it goes to waste. In her new book, Radical Outcomes, author Juliana Stancampiano has plumbed the depths of this massive disconnect and bridges the gap. She looks at why across a range of business sectors, companies are scrambling to launch new initiatives to help employees to grow and improve at work, but are left wondering why these initiatives aren’t effective.
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Lorna Rutto, CEO and co-founder of EcoPost (Kenya)
Lorna Rutto, CEO and co-founder of EcoPost (Kenya)
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Event Report
It’s always a special occasion when Lionesses of Africa visits a new city to host a Lioness Lean in event, and that was certainly the case on 9 August when Maun in Botswana was the host location. 100 women entrepreneurs gathered to share, inspire and connect for business success in the latest Lioness Lean In event in the country.
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Ivandra José, founder of Silva Kuphatima (Mozambique)
Startup Story
For entrepreneur Ivandra José, founder of floral design business Silva Kuphatima in Mozambique, her inspiration came from a passion for nature, flowers and an interest in crafts. Today, she is building a business that creates lasting, beautiful memories for her clients through her floral designs and jewellery.
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Dr Theo Mothoa-Frendo, founder of African Dermal Science (South Africa)
Lioness Launch
This month sees South African specialist skincare company, African Dermal Science, launching its exciting Uso Skincare range. It is an advanced anti-ageing, doctor-developed skincare range that has been locally formulated to address the specific skincare needs of Africans.
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Lynda Aphing Kouassi, founder of KAIZENE (Cote d’Ivoire)
Startup Story
Businesses that want to grow the leaders of today and tomorrow need support when it comes to maximizing their people potential. In Cote d’Ivoire, one company is providing the solution. KAIZENE, founded by the inspirational entrepreneur, Lynda Aphing Kouassi, is taking her passion for human capital development and turning into an innovative, successful business that makes a difference.
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Book Review
In Sarah J Collins’ book, The Attitudes of Success: 10 Powerful Habits of Successful, Confident Women, she shows you how to think positively, act positively, and make success a daily habit, all traits needed in the world of entrepreneurship.
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by Thato Mokhothu
I consider myself very lucky to be in business school and interacting with some of the most talented and hardworking individuals I have ever met. I’ll tell you why. Out of hundreds of applications someone or some people in charge of admissions chose me and gave me an opportunity. There might have been other applicants who were more knowledgeable and experienced but they did not make it. Adding to that, it is probable that someone out there with enormous intelligence and potential chose not to even apply because of financial constraints.
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By Bridget Edwards
Mental health awareness has become a vitally important topic today especially since the ever-increasing statistics are alarming. Mental health applies to all of us because it’s a natural part of everyday life. It’s not something to feel ashamed, guilty or uncomfortable about, nor should this topic be something that carries discrimination, stigma or taboo. Mental health is a fact of life that really needs awareness, conversation and active engagement.
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Adele Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya)
Adele Dejak, founder of Adele Dejak (Kenya)
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Geraldine Eve Kasambara, founder of 143 Communications (Zimbabwe)
Geraldine Eve Kasambara, founder of 143 Communications (Zimbabwe)
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Event Report — Mozambique
Mozambique is a country with a rapidly growing Lionesses of Africa community of women entrepreneurs. So it was good to be back amongst some of the finest women business and brand builders on 26 July for the latest Lioness Lean In event in Maputo. As always, the atmosphere was buzzing, business relationship building was brisk, and inspiration was in the air - a typical Maputo Lioness Lean In event.
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