Think about what is important!…
“We have been given the gift of time to stop and think what is important ... take advantage.”
Marta Roff, co-founder, Maputo Relocation Solutions (Mozambique)
Read moreVW Lionesses Den announces top three women entrepreneur winners
VW Lionesses Den Competition
Volkswagen South Africa in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, are thrilled to announce the winners of the VW Lionesses Den competition. The panel of judges have selected the top three pitches after calling on women-owned businesses all over South Africa to share a two-minute pitch to win a total of R175,000 cash injection for their businesses. The winners will use the capital to invest in their businesses and in turn, help drive the South African economy forward.
Read moreBathabile Mpofu, a South African entrepreneur passionate about science education
Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences (South Africa)
Startup Story
Many young learners in South Africa never get the chance to perform science experiments as part of their studies, and this means that few go on to study science as a possible future career. Entrepreneur Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, is on a mission to change that.
Read moreSarah Morrow, a South African edupreneur creating an accessible, affordable preschool experience
Sarah Morrow, owner of Little Leaders Preschool (South Africa)
Startup Story
In South Africa, for many parents finding a preschool for their children to attend that is both accessible and affordable can be a hugely challenging experience, often with little reward. But one passionate, impact driven woman entrepreneur is changing that reality. Sarah Morrow, founder of Little Leaders Preschool is making quality, affordable preschool education available to parents and their children from all walks of life.
Read moreQuote of the Day by Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib
“I had to learn entrepreneurship and I am still learning on the journey.”
Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder, Amal Botanicals Baby Care (Nigeria)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Natacha Nduwimana / Natacha Nduwimana
Natacha Nduwimana, founder, Jelim Premier Events (Rwanda)
Keep focused on your vision!…
“The big deal is not that you failed, it’s whether you stayed there and faced your journey towards your vision.”
Natacha Nduwimana, founder, Jelim Premier Events (Rwanda)
Read moreQuote of the Day by Tshego Dludla
Tshegofatso Dludla, founder, RoboSTEAM Train (South Africa)
“Some mistakes don't need to be made but the lessons still need to be learned.”
Tshegofatso Dludla, founder, RoboSTEAM Train (South Africa)
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Shabana Habibo / Believe in yourself
Shabana Habibo, founder, Enviro Green Lda (Mozambique)
Believe in yourself!…
“Just don’t give up. There will be days that we can't seem to handle, but believe in yourself and take that leap of faith that things will happen!”
Shabana Habibo, founder, Enviro Green Lda (Mozambique)
Read moreA Chip Off the Silicon Block: The Power of Entrepreneurial Thinking by Carol Latham
Carol Latham
Book Review
Ever wonder why the success rate of start-up companies is so low? In this inspirational and informative book, A Chip Off the Silicon Block: The Power of Entrepreneurial Thinking, entrepreneur Carol Latham demonstrates how the power of sound entrepreneurial thinking can lead to positive results in the most daunting of circumstances. Carol’s company, Thermagon Inc., evolved as an offshoot of the explosive growth of silicon chips driving the computer industry and the information age.
Read moreNtokozo Mbuli, a South African entrepreneur developing television and film content with a purpose
Ntokozo Mbuli, founder of Sugar Bean Pictures (South Africa)
Startup Story
The media can be a powerful force for good and positive change, and television programmes and films are particularly impactful in educating, informing and entertaining people. In South Africa, Ntokozo Mbuli, the creative force behind television and film production company, Sugar Bean Pictures, is on a mission to develop powerful content with a purpose beyond just entertainment.
Read moreHloki Raphuting, a South African manufacturer creating luxury shoes and handbags
Hloki Raphuting, founder of PalmH (South Africa)
Startup Story
Who doesn’t love a beautifully crafted leather handbag or a stylish, eye-catching pair of leather shoes? In South Africa, entrepreneur Hloki Raphuting, founder of PalmH, is manufacturing high quality bags and shoes, all made from the finest leather, and for customers who want to look and feel good.
Read moreAchenyo Idachaba-Obaro, an innovator transforming aquatic weeds into natural fibre products
Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
MitiMeth, tackling a growing Nigerian environmental challenge and creating sustainable jobs.
Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro is a Computer Scientist turned Social Entrepreneur. She is also the Founder and CEO of MitiMeth, an award-winning Social Enterprise transforming waste and building livelihoods through the transformation of invasive aquatic weeds and agricultural residues. To date, MitiMeth has trained over 400 women from communities across Nigeria and Ghana to make eco-friendly home décor and lifestyle products from these natural fibres. She is passionate about creating employment opportunities through sustainable textiles and accessories from renewable materials and working with multi-stakeholders to push these into the mainstream. Her story has been featured on TED, BBC, Deutsche Welle TV, CNBC Africa and CNN’s African Start-Up.
Read moreSouth Africa’s Niche Integrated Solutions wins leading innovation management award
Awards and Accolades
Emerging technology company, Niche Integrated Solutions, a100% Black women owned business, has won the Innocentrix South African Innovation League 2020 in the small enterprises category. The award was presented at a special ceremony held on 27 August 2020.
Read moreUnpacking renewable energy technologies - Part 2 Solar Thermal
Impact Partner Content: Absa | by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors, Absa
In article two of a four-part series, Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors at Absa, unpacks solar thermal with upcoming articles on wind as a technology as well as concluding the series with a view on the technologies which are changing the future state of the industry. With some houses using a much as 30% to 40% of their energy consumption on water heating, solar thermal is a popular means for many households of reducing their energy bills.
Read moreThe importance of sharing your story
by Abigail K
You have a story tell. Whether you’re an author, and aspiring author or you’re neither of those. You have a story to tell. Your story has meaning. Your story has value. Your story exists for a reason.
Read moreSARS Auto Assessments: What to Do
by Ronel Jooste
As you might know in South Africa, SARS has rolled out auto assessments for the 2019/20 tax year, mainly for non-provisional taxpayers. In this video clip I explain what an auto assessment entails and the 3 important things you should do when you are auto assessed.
Read moreLioness Launch / Lilly Alfonso launches new safety combo packages
Lilly Alfonso
Lioness Launch
Covid-19 has created the need to innovate and produce new products that help people to protect themselves in their daily lives. This challenge inspired multi-award winning Malawian fashion designer, Lilly Alfonso, to create a new range of safety combo packages, combining practical products such as face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers.
Read moreMental Health First Aider
by Kulani Shiluvane, Founder and Chief Consultant, Shiluvah
I recently came across the term Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) and as someone that works and owns a business in the Human Resource space this term immediately sparked my interest, especially with regards to how this concept could be used and benefit the workplace.
Read morePitch Books Part 3: The Home Stretch
From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
So as we turn into the home stretch we have these left:
The Product
The Customers
Business Model
The Marketing Plan
The Ask
The Team
and finally
Company Overview
Mission/Vision of the Company
What to do if your business website is copied
by Claire Keet Pollock and Sinal Govender, Co-Founders of pop.law
Today’s story of ‘life and law’ is enough to make any digital business owner’s eyeballs shrink to the size of raisins. If you own any online assets - a website, an online store, a social media feed - then this story might help you avoid pricey legal fees one day if the unthinkable happens: someone blatantly uses your content for their own commercial purposes without your permission.
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