Judy Maina, a Kenyan entrepreneur manufacturing bespoke leather goods

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Judy Maina, founder Siafu Leather (Kenya)

There is something rewarding in creating a bespoke product for a customer, especially when that product has been handcrafted using the finest raw materials. Siafu Leather, fouded by Judy Maina in Kenya, is doing just that, and her customers are loving the end results.

Lioness Launch / Botswana’s Naga Earth launches a new service importing fine quality natural cosmetics ingredients for local manufacturing

February 6, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Mishingo Aaron, founder of Naga Earth (Botswana)

The luxury handcrafted African luxury bodycare brand from Botswana, Naga Earth, founded by entrepreneur Mishingo Aaron, is on a mission to show the Africa it knows, by celebrating the continent’s rich diversity in natural resources through skin care. The company is launching a new service with the department name, NAGA NATURALS, which will see it importing fine quality natural cosmetics ingredients that can be used in the manufacturing of cosmetic products.

Monica Musonda, Zambia’s nutritious food manufacturing visionary

January 17, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Java Foods, a food-processing market leader in affordable nutrition

Corporate Lawyer turned entrepreneur, Monica Musonda is the Founder of Java Foods, a Zambian based food-processing company that provides affordable nutrition to the Southern African market. Monica currently serves as non-executive director on a number of boards including Airtel Networks Zambia Plc & Zambia Breweries (where she is chair). She is the recipient of the 2017 African Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year award, a 2013 Young Global Leader (World Economic Forum) and Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow. Forbes Magazine and Africa Investor named her as one of the leading Young Power Women in Business in Africa in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Suraya Williams, a South African entrepreneur building an impact-driven clothing manufacturing business

December 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Suraya Williams, founder of Design26 (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

In South Africa, clothing manufacturing has always played an important role in the local economy, creating jobs and developing skills. Today, Suraya Williams, founder of Design26 (Pty) Ltd, is carrying on the legacy of her late mother by transforming a clothing manufacturing business to a CMT (cut-make-trim) operation, creating skilled jobs in the process.

Siwinile Khumalo, a South African engineering professional creating access to clean and healthy water

December 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Siwinile Khumalo, founder of Sucxeed Projects (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

In South Africa, many people still do not have access to clean and healthy water supplies each day. For entrepreneur Siwinile Khumalo, founder of Sucxeed Projects (Pty) Ltd, addressing this challenge was the inspiration for her business building journey. Today she is a water solutions and services provider, changing lives and communities.

Sibongile Mtsabe, a South African agriprocessor tackling the country’s nutritional needs

December 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sibongile Mtsabe, founder of Sibocali Traders (South Africa)

Getting access to good, affordable and nutritious food that can also help in addressing obesity, diabetes and malnutrition is a challenge for many communities in South Africa. For entrepreneur Sibongile Mtsabe, founder of Sibocali Traders, that challenge provided the inspiration for the launch of her agriprocessing business.

Xoliswa Hlongwane, a South African entrepreneur creating jobs in the clothing manufacturing sector

November 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Xoliswa Hlongwane, founder of XO Collection (South Africa)

South Africa needs jobs, and it also needs to rebuild a strong clothing manufacturing industry sector, and that’s where entrepreneur Xoliswa Hlongwane is making her contribution to the economy through her XO Collection (Pty) Ltd.

Zola Shabangu, a South African entrepreneur developing next generation clothing manufacturers

November 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Zola Shabangu, founder of iGoda Clothing Manufacturing Incubator (South Africa)

Driven by a desire to create opportunities for South African clothing manufacturers and designers to create and supply their clothing to local retailers, Zola Shabangu launched iGoda Clothing Manufacturing Incubator PTY Ltd. Today, the business is a development incubator for a new generation of fashion designers and seamstresses.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s leading sustainable and ethical product design brand, The Joinery, launches its Together Again essential care pack

July 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Natalie and Kim Ellis, founders of The Joinery (South Africa)

The Joinery, founded by sisters Natalie and Kim Ellis, together with their team of change makers, innovators, creators and activists, has built a formidable reputation for its ability to find impactful solutions to environmental and community issues through design. It achieves that goal by creating luxury products made from recycled plastic bottles, turning potential waste into something positive. In response to the current Covid-19 pandemic and the changing world we now find ourselves in, these enterprising entrepreneurs have now launched their impactful Together Again essential care pack for their customers.

Lelly Mntungwa, a South African entrepreneur empowering women through manufacturing skills

June 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lelly Mntungwa, founder of Msinga Clothing (South Africa)

In South Africa, unemployment and poverty are real challenges that need real solutions for local people. In KwaZulu Natal, Lelly Mntungwa, founder of Msinga Clothing, is creating much needed jobs and skills training for young women in order to empower them in life.

Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, eco-innovators reviving Egypt’s weaving industry

March 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Reform Studio was founded by Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem, an internationally awarded lifestyle brand based in Cairo, Egypt. Directly after the 2011 revolution in Egypt, they were excited to be part of the great change around them, eager to make a stand and to make a difference, and this is how Reform Studio was born.

Angelique Adcock, a South African entrepreneur taking a state-of-the-art paint coating business to the next level

December 22, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Angelique Adcock, owner of Electrocoat (South Africa)

The automotive industry sector is one that requires specialist expertise, technical know-how and years of experience. In the field of specialized applied paint coating, South African company, Electrocoat, owned by Angelique Adcock, is a great example of an entrepreneur who brings all those elements to the table in her growth business.

Keren Pybus, an entrepreneur with a vision to demonstrate that ethical manufacturing can be done at scale in Africa

February 16, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Ethical Apparel Africa is a company co-founded by Keren Pybus based in Ghana and Benin, working with international brands who are interested in growing a manufacturing base in Africa with a positive social and environmental impact.

Sima Mlangeni, an entrepreneur based in Namibia using her passion for the hygiene industry as the inspiration for her business

December 6, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Sima Mlangeni, founder of Biocol Hygiene (Namibia) — **Sima Mlangeni**, founder of Biocol Hygiene (Namibia)

Often, business success comes by finding the right market opportunities and then creating the products and services to meet the needs of those markets. For entrepreneur Sima Mlangeni, founder of Biocol Hygiene, she identified a niche market opportunity in Namibia that would harness her expertise and experience in the specialist hygiene industry.

Paulina Alfeus, an entrepreneur finding an innovative use for old recycled oil drums in Namibia

December 3, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Paulina Alfeus, founder of Power Six Investment (Namibia) — **Paulina Alfeus**, founder of Power Six Investment (Namibia)

Most people look at old discarded oil drums and other scrap metals and just see junk. But for entrepreneur Paulina Alfeus, founder of Power Six Investment, she sees endless possibilities. Her business finds its inspiration in turning trash into treasure, creating innovative and desirable furniture from recycled scrap oil drums.

Vasie Sewramulu, a South African entrepreneur building an eco-friendly detergent manufacturing business

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Realizing that the South African consumer is far more educated in the field of enzyme, bacterial and green cleaning products than just a few years ago, entrepreneur Vasie Seweramulu and two of her fellow women entrepreneurs, created Safeguard Hygiene and Safety.

Nomafu Mdlambuzi, a South African entrepreneur passionate about manufacturing traditional wear for all occasions

March 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

South Africa has a rich traditional heritage and one that is celebrated through dress and costumes that tell a unique story. Today, entrepreneur Nomafu Mdlambuzi is carrying on the family business and her mother’s original vision, creating beautiful traditional wear for her customers through her company, Ezakwantu Sewing Co-op.

Patricia Majule, a Tanzanian entrepreneur manufacturing unique gifts for party and corporate event planners

March 11, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania) — **Patricia Majule**, founder of Unique Favors TZ (Tanzania)

Trying to find the right company to create a gifting and party favour experience can be a real challenge, but in Tanzania, one woman manufacturer is providing a solution. Patricia Majule, founder of Unique Favors TZ, is creating a range of gifting and party favour products that are made locally at a great price.

Nicola Bokaba, a South African manufacturer inspired by traditional cooking implements and taking them to the mass market

November 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Nicola Bokaba, founder of Earthy Cook (South Africa) — **Nicola Bokaba**, founder of Earthy Cook (South Africa)

Sometimes, the best ideas have been around a long time but simply need adapting or updating for a contemporary marketplace. In the culinary world, that is certainly the case for the traditional South African mafehlo (pap making whisks). Entrepreneur Nicola Bokaba, founder of Earthy Cook, saw an opportunity to start a business inspired by these traditional cooking implements but updated to meet today’s kitchen needs.

Annie Sibindi Muronda, a South African entrepreneur building a unique branded uniform manufacturing business in the country

July 30, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa) — **Annie Muronda**, founder of Rufaro Garments (South Africa)

Finding your niche in the world of entrepreneurship is always the challenge, but for Annie Muronda, founder of Rufaro Garments, she has found that niche by manufacturing quality branded uniforms for her clients.

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