Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs

June 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Jacqueléne Coetzer, founder & CEO, Jacqueléne Global Consulting (JGC) (South Africa)

Jacqueléne Coetzer is the founder and CEO of Jacqueléne Global Consulting (JGC) — a pan-African business advisory and trade firm founded in 2022, specializing in strategic consulting, commodities, medical diagnostics, and cross-border market access. A former diplomat with 14 years’ experience, she now leads high-level negotiations and sourcing across Africa in sectors including medical diagnostics, metals, fuel, and mining. Through exclusive distribution mandates and deal structuring, she is helping shape Africa’s economic future. Fiercely resilient and values-driven, Jacqueléne empowers African women entrepreneurs to rise, scale, and lead — because she believes Africa’s wealth should be built by Africans, for Africans.

Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow

June 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

TL Seretlo Business Consulting t/a Seretlo Consulting, a professional business consulting firm supporting SMEs in South Africa

Teboho Seretlo is a business consultant and founder of TL Seretlo Business Consulting in South Africa, with over 25 years’ experience in enterprise development, business planning, monitoring & evaluation, and mentoring SMEs. She supports entrepreneurs applying for funding and serves as an NSFAS student accommodation accreditor. Her expertise spans B-BBEE, rural development, and gender-responsive enterprise support. Teboho holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and executive education from GIBS and Rotterdam School of Management. Passionate about women’s empowerment, she also mentors female entrepreneurs across Africa.

Lioness Launch / Cabinet International Kaizene launches new Bold4Growth professional development for women leaders

March 23, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Kaizene International was founded by Mrs. Lynda Aphing-Kouassi, a recognized leader committed to skills development and business transformation. Her experience and expertise have allowed her to build a strategic network of financial and institutional partners, significantly enhancing the impact of the programs deployed. Thanks to her vision and leadership, Kaizene International has become a key partner for businesses and institutions seeking growth and structured development.

Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, a purpose-driven strategy and management consulting specialist catalyzing transformative change across Africa

March 23, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, Founder & CEO, ZER Consulting Africa (ZER) (Nigeria)

Adeolu Adewumi-Zer is a passionate Afro-optimist, seasoned global strategist, and the author of "Afro-Optimism Unleashed: Scaling African Excellence to the Global Stage." With nearly 25 years of experience spanning four continents, she now channels her expertise into empowering African leaders and businesses as the Founder & CEO of ZER Consulting Africa (ZER), a purpose-driven Pan-African strategy and management consulting firm founded in 2023 and with a workforce of 8 people. ZER partners with development agencies, investment funds, and social ventures, providing strategic guidance for SME growth through their proprietary SCALE framework. Adeolu is a dedicated advocate for Africa’s development, championing financial inclusion, gender equality, and quality education while serving on impactful boards and inspiring global audiences.

Ronel and Dr Marli Jooste, two impact-driven South African entrepreneurs on a mission to guide others on their journey toward holistic wellbeing

February 16, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Ronel Jooste and Dr Marli Jooste, co-founders, PhysEQFiT Wellness & Leadership Development (South Africa)

Ronel and Dr Marli Jooste, two sisters and co-founders of PhysEQFiT Wellness & Leadership Development, a business focused on Transforming People. Transforming Workplaces, and Transforming Leaders. The name, PhysEQFiT, implies the importance of overall wellbeing, including Phys = physical wellbeing (health, fitness, nutrition, brain health, stress management, burnout), EQ = emotional wellbeing (personal mastery and growth, whole-brain thinking, neurocoaching, mental health, team dynamics, mediation etc, Fi = financial wellbeing, and FiT = all these aspects need to be in balance to enhance your overall performance, leadership capacity, wellbeing and lifestyle. The business was founded in 2015 and employs 5 people.

Dr Michélle Booysen, a South African entrepreneur providing businesses with specialist expertise to integrate change and improve performance

August 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Dr Michélle Booysen is the CEO of the Pétanque NXT Group, providing business leaders with the clarity to implement necessary changes swiftly and effectively, through its offices in South Africa and The Netherlands. Michélle is a consultant with over 35 years of experience spanning the legal profession and economics, driven by a passion for using enterprise as a catalyst for societal progress. She holds a PhD in Economics, a Bachelor of Law and Economics degree, and a multitude of other academic and practical application qualifications. Michélle specializes in integrating change and performance improvement by mapping and analyzing business processes. The business was founded in 2002 and today employs 17 people.

Enid Katorobo Bashengezi, a South African financial and project management specialist consultancy builder

July 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Enid Katorobo Bashengezi, founder, EKB Consultants (South Africa)

With over 20 years of experience in accounting and project management, Enid Katorobo Bashengezi is the founder of EKB Consultants in South Africa. She is a seasoned professional specializing in leadership development, fiduciary assurance, and financial management across sectors, including decentralized systems. She is a Chartered Accountant (FCCA) and holds master’s degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Information Technology (MSc IT), alongside certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Personal Leadership Effectiveness Coach and Consultant.

Soraya Voskuil, a South African entrepreneur building a personal development business specializing in transformative coaching

June 30, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Soraya Voskuil, Director, Elevate Coaching (South Africa)

Soraya Voskuil is a Director of Elevate Coaching in South Africa, a leading personal development company that specializes in providing transformative coaching and counselling services. She brings 22 years of corporate and personal expertise in all industries focusing on Personal and Leadership Development, Organizational Development and Productivity Improvement. She is an entrepreneur, counsellor, life coach, mother, with expertise in the fields of leadership, environmental change, inspiration, motivation, and emotional intelligence. Soraya has worked with various clients across multiple sectors such as banking, logistics, timeshare, catering, insurance, information technology, recruitment, retail, schools, government sectors and individuals on a personal level across the globe. Soraya has been successful in the sales and marketing, operations, procurement, accounts, payroll, HR, administration, teaching environment, having worked with staff in all positions to bring alignment to achieve the company’s vision. Her expertise in the fields of Leadership, Human Development, Relationships and Counselling will help to bring out the best and true character in people.

Segametsi Mafa, an ICT professional fulfilling a lifelong ambition to build a specialist ICT consulting business in Botswana

June 9, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Segametsi Mafa, founder, Service Xcellence (Botswana)

Segametsi Mafa is the founder of Service Xcellence in Botswana, an ICT professional with over 18 years of corporate experience acquired from Government, Parastatals and Private companies. She brings almost 4 years of full-time entrepreneurial consulting experience gained from being the Founder and Managing Director of Service Xcellence, an ICT and Management Consultancy Business focused on IT Governance, IT Service Management, Strategy, Risk and Project Management Consulting. She also serves as an Independent Consultant for other companies.

Sharon Seanice Lojede, a tech-savvy pan-African marketing leader

June 9, 2024 Melanie Hawken

A tech-enabled integrated marketing communications company headquartered in South Africa with branches in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda

Seanice Lojede is the founder of BLU Flamingo Africa, a pan-African tech-enabled integrated marketing communications company founded in 2010 and headquartered in South Africa, with branches in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The business has a workforce of 55 people. With a master’s degree in digital marketing, and as an alumna of the prestigious Stanford Seed program, Seanice is a tech-savvy marketing leader whose data-driven strategies and cutting-edge marketing technologies have helped global companies crack the Sub-Saharan African market.

Catherine Wijnberg, a South African SME growth champion

June 2, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Fetola, a business providing world-class entrepreneurial support programmes for African entrepreneurs

Catherine Wijnberg is a pioneering entrepreneur and visionary leader, serving as the Founder and CEO of Fetola in South Africa. With over 18 years of experience in entrepreneurial development, Catherine is renowned for her expertise in SME growth strategy, scalable business acceleration, and transformative leadership. She is also recognised on the Forbes Africa 50 Over 50 List of Africa's Female Powerhouses. Under her guidance, Fetola has emerged as a beacon for sustainable business solutions, fostering economic growth and social impact across Africa. Catherine founded Fetola in 2006 and today it has 34 employees.

Taryn Marcus, a South African change-making entrepreneur helping organisations to thrive

May 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Taryn Marcus, co-founder, Reinvent CoLab (South Africa)

Taryn Marcus, co-founder of Reinvent CoLab in South Africa, prides herself as a devoted change agent and positive disruptor, with an enterprise perspective. She collaboratively works to create organizations where people perform better, feel engaged, deliver customer value, and have fun - all at the same time. Taryn has a special focus on methodologies that aid individuals, teams, and organizations build mindsets, skillsets, and toolsets to make continuous reinvention a competitive advantage. She brings almost two decades of Human Capital experience in both established and emerging markets, 15 of which have been at Executive management level for listed complex multinational (pan-African, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North American) organizations. Taryn is a registered Industrial psychologist and Harvard Business School Alumnus.

Anastasia Machobane, a South African entrepreneur helping businesses ensure they comply with the laws of the country

May 12, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Anastasia Machobane, founder and ceo, Mashobane Advisory Services (South Africa)

Anastasia Machobane is the founder and ceo of Mashobane Advisory Services in South Africa, a business focusing on providing specialist legal and business administration services to the mostly under-serviced SMME market. She works independently or within team environments, and has a diplomatic/assertive approach in dealing with EXCO and Board members of any organisation. She is passionate about skills development and does this through her mentorship program. The business has created jobs for 5 people.

Milena Barroca, a Mozambican entrepreneur specializing in business consulting and event organization

May 12, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Milena Barroca, founder, WH Impact (Mozambique)

Milena Barroca is an entrepreneur and business consultant with a background in Economics, and the founder of WH Impact, a company based in Mozambique. The business specializes in Business Consulting & Event Organization. With over 8 years of experience in Business Administration and Marketing, Milena, and her team drive business growth for success, connecting companies and individuals through impactful events. WH Impact adopts a philosophy of sustainable management, promoting significant and lasting growth for its clients.

Jessica da Fonseca Sargento, a business and life coach building a business that helps others on their life journeys

April 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Jessica da Fonseca Sargento, founder, The Zen Living Project & Zen Coaching (Mozambique)

Jessica da Fonseca Sargento is the inspiration behind The Zen Living Project community and now Zen Coaching, founded in 2020 in Mozambique. She graduated in Law and has worked for large corporations over the last twenty years, as a lawyer, following the so-called “traditional” trajectory that society applauds: a steady job, a steady paycheck, and the allure of climbing the corporate ladder. Yet as Jessica climbed the ladder, she felt a growing disconnect between her daily tasks and her inner aspirations. – financial gains, positions, and hierarchical advancements no longer resonated with her and she began searching for knowledge and holistic training in the areas of yoga instruction, meditation, and life coaching.

Éssita Salmina Viagem, a Mozambican financial services consultancy helping clients better manage their finances

April 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Éssita Viagem, founder and General Director, Ellen ESV SCC Lda (Mozambique)

Éssita Viagem is the founder and General Director of Ellen ESV SCC Lda (Mozambique), is an experienced entrepreneur and is part of the Top 25 multilevel marketing leaders in the South African company Inuka fragrances (South Africa). The company Ellen ESV is dedicated to accounting, taxation, financial consultancy, and financial education training services in the Mozambican market. It was created in 2017, having been restructured and becoming Ellen ESV SCC, Lda in 2021 and currently employs 11 people, of which 6 are women. She has more than 13 years of experience in the financial area and 9 years as an intern assistant at Eduardo Mondlane University.

Éssita Viagem é a fundadora e Directora Geral da Ellen ESV SCC Lda (Moçambique), é uma empreendedora experiente e faz parte das Top 25 líderes de marketing multinível na empresa sul-africana Inuka fragrances (África do Sul).
A empresa Ellen ESV dedica-se aos serviços de contabilidade, fiscalidade, consultoria financeira e treinamento em educação financeira no mercado moçambicano. Foi criada em 2017, tendo se reestruturado e passado a Ellen ESV SCC, Lda em 2021 e emprega actualmente 11 pessoas, das quais 6 mulheres.
Tem experiência de mais de 13 anos na área financeira e de 9 anos como assistente estagiária na universidade Eduardo Mondlane.

Birgite Armando John, a Mozambican entrepreneur offering business consulting and language services to clients

March 31, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Birgite Armando John is the founder of Centro de Educação Sustentável, Lda. (CES), a specialist consulting and language business in Mozambique. She is an entrepreneurial woman, accountant, and also multilingual. Birgite began her journey as an entrepreneur teaching English to friends and colleagues while studying abroad. She is the recipient of a 3rd Place prize in the CapacitaMoz Bootcamp Award financed by TotalEnergies.

Birgite Armando John, fundadora do Centro de Educação Sustentável, Lda. (CES) e vencedora do 3o Lugar do Premio CapacitaMoz Bootcamp financiado pela TotalEnergies. Mulher empreendedora, Contabilista e poliglota. Começou o seu percurso como empreendedora ensinando Inglês para amigos e colegas enquanto estudava no estrangeiro.

Nomihlali Ntsunguzi, a South African HR specialist helping businesses develop their human capital

November 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Nomihlali Ntsunguzi, founder, Nissi Human Capital (South Africa)

Nissi Business Solutions (PTY) Ltd, trading as Nissi Human Capital and founded by entrepreneur Nomihlali Ntsunguzi in South Africa, is on a mission to provide customer-centric human capital solutions to its clients. The business exists to solutions that unlock the full potential (inborn ability) of people. It is Nomihlali’s belief that an organisational culture that nurtures individual diversity will thrive at each stage of its maturity when underpinned by the simple philosophy, “everybody has a role to play”.

Josephine Sidambe, a South African sustainability change-maker

November 12, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Ingqwele Consulting & Projects Managements Pty Ltd, a sustainability consulting business driving transformative change in South Africa

Josephine Sidambe is a visionary, achiever, and change maker, and the founder of Ingqwele Consulting & Projects Managements Pty Ltd in South Africa which was launched in 2013. As a dynamic agent of change in the world of sustainability consulting, Josephine has continuously pushed the boundaries of continuous improvements. She has an insatiable passion for sustainable solutions and unwavering commitment to reducing the climate change impact. She has contributed to the reduction of carbon footprint in the sustainability consulting industry through leadership and motivation to adopt green sustainable projects. With 25 years of professional work experience, of which 7 years are in the field of sustainability consulting, Josephine has harnessed her expertise to drive transformative change. As a senior sustainability consultant in the business, she leads with vision and tuning challenges into opportunities.

Lioness Launch / The K3Y launches it’s new name and brand to offer customers human centric business solutions to unlock results

September 3, 2023 Melanie Hawken

The K3Y launches its new name and brand in Africa, with a unique customer offering that integrates cutting edge innovations with human centric business solutions to help individuals and organisations unlock results. A suite of powerful diagnostics tools, as well as solutions, underpinned with a cutting-edge technology platform, allows for tracking measuring and execution of strategy. The addition of The K3Y mind-setting interventions allow for the unlocking of potential for individuals and teams.

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