“I get great satisfaction seeing my team strongly espouse courage and persistence.”
Dana Mroueh, founder, Mon Choco (Cote d’Ivoire)
Read moreQuote of the Day Dana Mroueh
Dana Mroueh, founder, Mon Choco (Cote d’Ivoire)
Entrepreneur Advice from Elohor Thomas / Success is all about execution
Elohor Thomas, co-founder, CodeLn (Nigeria)
Pitch Books Part 2. The Engine Room.
From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
Continuing our look at Pitch Books we again break them down into bite-sized chunks… Last week we looked at what grabs the attention of any potential Investor: The Problem, The Solution, and The Competition.
Read moreMeet 30 African women food and drink entrepreneurs capturing consumer imagination
Sector In Focus | Food & Drink
There is a real buzz in consumer markets about niche food and drinks brands that celebrate the provenance of where products are made, celebrating local ingredients and craftsmanship. At Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on 30 leading women entrepreneurs in Africa who are capturing consumer imagination and making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do.
Read moreSouth Africa’s iCALC Training Academy launches a new virtual, digital online platform for trainee engineers
Mylene Bosch, founder of iCALC Training Academy (South Africa)
Lioness Launch
The need for skilled engineers in South Africa has never been greater, but getting access to the specialist training and skills development in a range of engineering disciplines can be challenging for many. The iCALC Training Academy, founded by Mylene Bosch, is about to change all that with the launch of its new virtual, digital online platform for trainee engineers.
Read moreUnpacking renewable energy technologies - Part 1 Solar
Impact Partner Content: Absa | by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors, Absa
In this series of four articles by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors at Absa, he will unpack the three most topical renewable energy technologies and conclude the series with a view on the technologies which are changing the future state of the industry.
Read moreSarah Collins, an impact driven entrepreneur changing lives and communities
Sarah Collins, founder of Wonderbag (South Africa)
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Wonderbag, a revolutionary product empowering Africa’s women, one home at a time.
Sarah Collins is an impact driven entrepreneur whose company manufactures, sells and subsidizes a revolutionary cooking product known as the Wonderbag. A Wonderbag is based on the oldest technology in the world – heat retention cooking. These non-electric bags are made up of lab tested chipped foam that is housed in colourful, African-inspired printed fabrics with a drawstring at the top to retain the heat. This simple but ingenious product allows for food to be brought to the boil by conventional cooking methods and once put into the Wonderbag will continue to cook the food for up to 12 hours.
Read moreZuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, an entrepreneur building a leading natural baby skincare brand in Nigeria
Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care (Nigeria)
Startup Story
When you are a mother to triplets, you have first hand knowledge of just what babies need when it comes to natural skincare, and that is certainly the case with Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care. She has a big vision to be a leading natural baby skincare brand in Africa.
Read moreTshegofatso Dludla, a South African techpreneur bringing maths and science to life for children
Tshegofatso Dludla, founder of RoboSTEAM Train (South Africa)
Startup Story
In a world where technology is changing so many aspects of our daily lives, it is so important that children get the opportunity to grasp and embrace maths and science at an early age. Tshegofatso Dludla, founder of RoboSTEAM Train in South Africa, is making a huge difference to the lives of underprivileged children in the country by making robotics and coding fun and accessible.
Read moreLunch with Lucy: Maximize Profits by Investing in Your People by Sherry Deutschmann
Sherry Deutschmann
Book Review
If you want to see the concept of transformational leadership through empathy in action, then look no further than Sherry Deutschmann’s book, Lunch with Lucy: Maximize Profits by Investing in Your People. This is a very personal book by someone who knows just how important employees are to the success of any business. She has a fascinating and unique business model to share with readers that will transform not only the way we think about our people, but how we embrace them as the genuine drivers of our business success.
Read moreAsking for help could be your game changer
by Usha Maharaj, Speaker, Coach, Facilitator
Asking for help at work, at home, in any area of our lives is tough. But asking for help could be the game-changer that you need in order to reduce the stress, make more time available, and lessen the burden you’re carrying.
Read moreRealising Growth Beyond Self
by Kelebogile Makhafola
A crisis presents challenges that provoke a sense of community within brands and organisations. Tough times push brands to reinforce the value and refuge in belonging. This article explores how you as a business owner, marketer and leader can reassure your customers, employees, and followers of the benefits of belonging to your eco-system.
Read moreThe importance of self-care during a crisis
by Lelemba Phiri, Enygma Ventures Operating Partner and Fund Manager
Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the importance of mental health was being highlighted and the crisis has amplified its importance even further. As business owners and investors, we are not exempt from the compounding effects of poor mental health if we do not take the time to understand these issues and how they can negatively impact us, our businesses and families.
Read moreAlice…a celebration
Every year, the first week in August is a time of reflective celebration for me. I celebrate the choices I made and the mistakes I didn’t. I take this time to exhale and be proud of my story.
Read moreIs natural better than synthetic?
by Catia Mondlane, Founder Estética & Cosméticos
When I decided to open a natural cosmetics firm, I was aware that I really had to study and understand at all levels what I was getting myself into. Merely absorbing what people say or think about a certain product they’ve used or had previous unpleasant experiences with wouldn’t get me as far as I wanted. Without discarding how important those were and how they could influence the business’s progression, I really needed to deepen many aspects of each market to bring the ideal visionary concept to life.
Read moreAre you keeping fit in all aspects of your life?
by Dr Ashika Pillay
Most of us are in some way pre-occupied, occupied, or think often about physical fitness, exercise, keeping fit, eating well (even though we may not really..). The physical side of fitness, strength, vitality, and resources - yes? Have you ever wondered if you are looking at, and working on the other aspects of your life with respect to building strength and vitality? What about the mental, emotional, spiritual dimensions as an example?
Read moreQuote of the Day by Faraja Nyalandu
Faraja Nyalandu, founder Shule Direct (Tanzania)
“We have all heard what we are capable of. Now, we just need to own the accolades.”
Faraja Nyalandu, founder Shule Direct (Tanzania)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Maria Baryamujura / Harness your talent
Maria Baryamujura, Founder and CEO of COBATI (Uganda)
Harness your talent!…
“Every person was created with a talent within them, strive to discover and harness your talent to soar.”
Maria Baryamujura, Founder and CEO of COBATI (Uganda)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Mellisa Mazingi
Mellisa Mazingi, Managing Director, Gone Rural Swaziland (Eswatini)
“I believe that business is so much more than just the bottom line…”
Mellisa Mazingi, Managing Director, Gone Rural Swaziland (Eswatini)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Tlangelani Mathebula / Stay true to yourself
Tlangelani Nkuna, founder, Placement Junxion (South Africa)
Stay true to yourself!…
“Stay true to yourself, some people won’t understand why you are doing what you do and that's fine. Take the first step and start.”
Tlangelani Nkuna, founder, Placement Junxion (South Africa)
Read more