Infinite Foods wins Best Plant-Based Business at the World Plant-Based Food Awards

October 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Award Winner

Infinite Foods, Africa’s premier go-to-market platform for leading plant-based food brands, cofounded by entrepreneur Michelle Adelman, was awarded the “Best Plant-Based Business” Award at the FoodBev Media World Plant-Based Awards in association with Plant Based World on 2 October 2020. This award comes on the eve of Infinite Foods’ second anniversary and continued growth with several new international and local brands joining the portfolio. As the only African business to be included in the awards, this is an incredible recognition of the growth of the plant-based industry on the continent.

Natércia Mondlane, a talented architectural design consultant delivering professional solutions to projects in Mozambique

October 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Natércia Mondlane, founder & CEO of Natercia Mondlane Arquitectura & Imobiliária (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Finding a specialist, experienced and professional consultant who can navigate their way around any complex architectural real estate project can be tough. But in Mozambique, Natércia Mondlane, founder of Natércia Mondlane Arquitectura & Imobiliária, is creating highly innovative design solutions to meet all her clients’ urban design needs.

Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, an information technology pioneer bridging the digital divide

October 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Future Software Resources Ltd (Futuresoft), a Nigerian technology provider scaling African enterprise.

Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho is a seasoned Information Technology professional with over 15 years of industry experience in Africa’s largest emerging economy. She has a deep purpose and focus on bridging the digital divide and transforming Africa by harnessing the benefits of digital. At home in technology from childhood, Nkemdilim is walking in her fathers’ footsteps as a second-generation Nigerian Information Technology expert.

Maeshibe Marema, a South African entrepreneur creating social impact through coffee

October 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Maeshibe Marema, founder of Maeshibe Coffee (South Africa)

Startup Story

Coffee lovers in South Africa can now enjoy their favourite brew whilst making a difference to the lives of young deaf people, thanks to Maeshibe Coffee, founded by entrepreneur Maeshibe Marema.

Failures are silent (sadly)

October 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Tuesday morning means one thing in the Lioness Hub, the Head of Finance (HoF) makes us think outside the box, takes us away from whatever we are doing to watch or listen to something slightly different and thought provoking. It is apparently (according to the HoF), as important as occasionally walking shoe-less on grass, as it ‘grounds’ and ‘nourishes the soul’.

Planning an effective workshop to increase staff efficiency

October 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Tatenda Rungisa

Learning is continuous and one of the best ways to instill knowledge in employees is through training or educational workshops. This may be facilitated by head of departments or the human resources office. The success of the workshop solely lies on how the planning was done from the onset. Planning the workshop is a crucial stage which has to be considered in order for success to be evident.

A time for honest reflection

October 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka

If there is one thing we can all agree on it is that the year 2020 has been challenging. With many countries around the world going through protracted government induced lockdown periods, businesses, relationships, and our personal wellbeing have been put under immense pressure. As the global economy slowly reemerges from the constraints brought about by the lockdown, our resilience and fortitude will continue to be tested well into next year.

Self-employed & Retirement: A Stumbling Block for Many

October 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

Are you self-employed and feeling stressed about not having sufficient retirement savings? Plenty of business owners are still seen to be actively working years after reaching retirement age. They really love what they do, or they don’t have somebody reliable to take over or they don’t want to let go of their ‘baby’ are the common reasons provided to explain this situation. Yes, these can be valid reasons or reasons contributing to the situation, but for many business owners the harsh reality is that they cannot afford to go on retirement.

A Letter To My Younger Self: 4 Questions I Wish I Knew Then…

October 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Words of wisdom & lessons I have learnt wrapped up in four simple questions…

Quote of the Day by Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula

October 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“My greatest satisfaction is championing women economic empowerment initiatives in mentorship, linking women businesses to corporate supply chains for their growth.”

Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula, founder, DDNS Security Operations (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe

Entrepreneur Advice from Adele Dejak / Be willing to sacrifice

October 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Adele Dejak, founder, Adele Dejak (Kenya)

Be willing to sacrifice!…

“Don't start a business without doing proper market research, having clear strategic plans and adequate capital. Also, have passion and dedication. Lastly, be willing to sacrifice by putting in extra time.”

Adele Dejak, founder, Adele Dejak (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Nereyda Ah-Hoy / Share your passion

October 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nereyda Ah Hoy, writer, author & founder of Indika platform and digital magazine (Mozambique)

Share your passion!…

“Business is to make money, otherwise it would not be business. Above all, business should be the best way for someone to share with the world their passion and their gifts, otherwise it is a business empty and devoid of purpose.”

Nereyda Ah Hoy, writer, author & founder of Indika platform and digital magazine (Mozambique)

Lucy Beard, an entrepreneur building a successful distillery and brand in South Africa

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lucy Beard, co-founder of Hope Distillery (South Africa)

Startup Story

The growing interest in small batch gins and other spirits that have great brand stories and individual personalities, has created a great growth story for South Africa’s Hope Distillery, co-founded by husband and wife team Lucy Beard and Leigh Lisk. The Hope brand is distinctive, modern and committed to quality, and is winning fans around the world, as are the spirits they design and distill for other popular boutique brands.

Tlhologelo Mabelane, a South African entrepreneur passionate about healthy African haircare

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tlhologelo Mabelane, founder of MabuTribe (South Africa)

Startup Story

On a mission to bring back health into the African haircare space, Tlhologelo Mabelane, founder of MabuTribe in South Africa, is creating great products combined with hair health education to help consumers to enjoy and celebrate their natural hair.

Dr. Hend El Sherbini, a leader in the provision of best-in-class diagnostic services

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Meet IDH Integrated Diagnostics Holdings, a leading consumer diagnostic healthcare company in Africa and the Middle East

Dr. Hend El Sherbini holds the position of CEO of IDH-Integrated Diagnostics Holdings, a leading consumer diagnostic healthcare company in Africa and the Middle East with operations in Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Nigeria. Dr. El Sherbini's experience is not only limited to her position as CEO, but she is also a professor of clinical pathology at the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University and currently sits on the board of American Society of Clinical Pathology (Egypt) and consults on the international certification process. She received her MBBCh, Masters in Clinical and Chemical Pathology, PhD in Immunology from BBC by Cairo University, and an Executive MBA from London Business School.

…now there’s an idea!

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

It was looking like it was going to be a quiet day in the Lionesses Hub. It was 9:30am, the Head of Finance (HoF) was deep into a third coffee, all was as normal. But was it? Emerging from the darkness that is the Finance PowerRoom (as the HoF likes to call it!), we were shocked to hear the announcement, “Retail is Dead. Long live Retail!” boom across the stunned room.

The COVID-19 Currency Survival Guide for Individuals

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / Absa Forex

Whether you’re sending or receiving money cross-border, investing offshore or planning a trip (post-lockdown, of course), here are the facts you need to know about foreign exchange (FX).

The 20% Rule by Catherine Gladwyn

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

According to author and entrepreneur, Catherine Gladwyn, as she details in her new book The 20% Rule, life can and does get in the way of our greatest dreams and plans sometimes. And she knows this from first hand experience.

Lioness Launch / One on One Coaching by Beyond the Dress

October 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Successful author and coach, Lori Milner is passionate about empowering women and equipping diverse teams with the tools and skills to fulfill their potential in their careers and personal lives. In working to fill the gap between the roles, demands, and challenges of the new working world, Lori’s full-service consultancy, Beyond the Dress (BTD), helps individuals to build harmony into their personal and professional lives. This month, she announced that one on one coaching will now be available.