Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana, a South African renewable energy pioneer

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

In Pursuit Renewable Energy, a sustainability-focused South African project development, energy efficiency and alternative power solutions business

Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana is an Electrical Engineer and seasoned Energy Professional with almost 16 years’ experience in delivering small to utility scale infrastructure projects with a focus on Renewable Energy. Her business, In Pursuit Renewable Energy in South Africa was formed in 2017 and today has 8 employees. Hleziphi is a former Senior Project Manager within Arup’s Renewables team overseeing a Lender’s Technical Advisory (LTA) team taking Renewables (Solar/Wind) projects from bid submission, Financial Close and Commercial Operation, Construction Monitoring and Operations Monitoring. She was also a former Technical Manager in the IPP sector developing greenfield projects and leading projects in the C&I space. She has developed and delivered over 3000MW of Renewables projects (Solar, Hydro, Wind Battery Energy Storage) in South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana and UK. Hleziphi also held leadership roles such as COO of Bonang Power & Energy, Principal for Matt&Co Advisory, Arup Education Trust Trustee, the COO for the SunElex Group and Project Development Team Lead for TASEZ Gas to Energy Project. She is also a mother of 3 Daughters, Skills Development Facilitator, Conference Speaker and Moderator.

New Green Business Growth the focus of the 1st Lioness Business Agility Webinar of 2024

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Business Agility Report

Lionesses of Africa’s new event year started with a bang as the first Lioness Business Agility Webinar of 2024, took place on 14 February, with 120 women entrepreneurs predominantly from South Africa joining the event online. Once again hosted in partnership with Absa, the webinar focused on the theme of “New Year, New Green Business Growth”. It’s an important topic and Lionesses of Africa believes in the need to recognise and support the work and commitment of women entrepreneurs who are building green, sustainable businesses and driving economic growth. They are creating much-needed jobs with their businesses, whilst also creating sustainable impact too.

The Practical Guide to Effective Communication: Get Recognized for the Value You Already Contribute by Laura M Camacho PhD

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Great communication skills are essential for women entrepreneurs who want to build successful businesses, and in her new book, The Practical Guide to Effective Communication: Get Recognized for the Value You Already Contribute, author and business coach Laura M Camacho PhD, shows you how.

Know your numbers to stay ahead of the game…

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

It is one thing to complain and be grumpy about the rounding error that is the amount of funding that goes into women’s businesses in Africa, but as we stated last week (here) we believe the answer may lie instead in highlighting the benefits to the investors, and their own investor base in having a more diverse team and with that a stronger portfolio made up of more female-founded companies.

The Top 5 Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2024

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Vuyelwa Gxakushe

What are the top 5 Marketing trends you can’t Ignore in 2024? The confetti has settled, the resolutions are set, and 2024 stands poised on the digital horizon. For small businesses, navigating this dynamic landscape isn't just about riding the trend waves, it's about carving your own course with the right tools and strategies.

Change is an integral part of life - accept the fact!

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

The way to conquer any fear of change is to display an open-mindedness to new ideas and desires in your life. To get ahead one has to demonstrate a willingness to do things differently from everyone else and this in itself is a challenge as it’s so much easier to go with the flow - to fit in - to be one of the sheep.

Navigating Legal Compliance: The Power of a Project Plan

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw | SchoemanLaw Inc | Specialist Technology, Commercial and Contract Law Attorney

In today's intricate and multifaceted business environment, adhering to legal compliance is far more than a mere option—it's a fundamental prerequisite for any organization. Complying with the labyrinth of laws and regulations is not solely about averting legal entanglements. However, it is a pivotal component for fostering trust with stakeholders and ensuring the enduring viability of your enterprise. To proficiently manage legal compliance within your business, a meticulously crafted project plan serves as an invaluable roadmap.

How smart are you?

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Marilize Jacobs

This question is usually answered by referring to IQ, test scores and grades. Yet, in business (and life) I believe street smarts – i.e., social and emotional intelligence as well as resilience (also referred to as SQ, EQ and AQ)– are just as important (if not more) than book smarts.

Palesa Mkhulisi, a South African PR and marketing entrepreneur focused on creating value for clients

February 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Palesa Mkhulisi, founder, The Link PR and Marketing Solutions (South Africa)

Startup Story

Palesa Mkhulisi is the founder of The Link PR and Marketing Solutions in South Africa, a business focused on helping start-ups to create value, build long-term sustainability, and bring positive changes to their communities through tailored marketing and PR solutions. She is a 24-year-old entrepreneur with a passion for social development and a commitment to solving real-world problems. Raised in Soweto a township in Johannesburg she developed an early appreciation for the power of community and the impact that businesses can have on society. Beyond her role as an entrepreneur, Palesa actively participates in various community outreach programs and advising young business leaders. She is dedicated to fostering the next generation of socially aware entrepreneurs.

One Rapelana, a creative and ethical accessory brand-builder in Botswana

February 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

One Rapelana, founder, designer, and creative director of Xita (Botswana)

Startup Story

One Rapelana is the award-winning founder, designer, and creative director of Xita, a specialist accessory brand in Botswana. What began as a hobby in 2015 evolved into a full-fledged company in 2018, with One focusing on ethically sourced leather accessories, primarily jewellery and bags crafted from offcuts, remnants, and by-product leather. While One Rapelana outsources some aspects, including collaborating with women artisans for cotton bags used in packaging and branding, she remains a one-woman show, personally crafting each product and overseeing all aspects of the company. Armed with a degree in Marketing and Management, she is also a self-taught graphic, web, and brand designer. Her work has garnered recognition, featured in Glamour SA magazine, and her products were showcased at the Brooklyn Museum store for the African Fashion Exhibition in 2023.

Bernadette Umunyana, a Rwandan creative manufacturing business builder

February 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Dokmai Rwanda Ltd, a manufacturing business creating proudly Made in Rwanda accessories.

Bernadette Umunyana is founder and CEO of Dokmai Rwanda Ltd, a private, family owned, and women managed manufacturing company in Rwanda, producing since December 2014 leather handcrafted fashion accessories like handbags, backpacks, wallets and belts for women and men. The company currently employs 21 people of whom 70% are women. Bernadette is a very active and creative female entrepreneur, consequently she was looking to diversify her activities through a horizontal expansion with potential synergetic impact, and noticing the growing demand for wooden and upholstery furniture in the local market she decided to acquire in 2019 an existing carpentry workshop, INWOOD, Ltd.

Entrepreneurial Success: Growing Business in a Fluid Economy by Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula (PhD)

February 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

In her debut as an author, Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula (PhD) in her new book, Entrepreneurial Success: Growing Business in a Fluid Economy, provides ten powerful success insights for budding and established entrepreneurs alike. Zeroing in on her life’s work in her business enterprises at SECURICO and Zvikomborero Farms, she distills business administration concepts into everyday life principles that we all can admit we already know but fail to leverage.

‘Deep-rooted gender imbalance’ leaving cash on the table…

February 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

The VC numbers for Africa in 2023 were released a few weeks ago and, as usual, the dial for women just doesn’t seem to be moving. As the brilliant data crunchers at ‘Africa: The Big Deal’ show (here), male and all male funding teams in 2023 as with other years, continued to raise around 85% of the entire funding, that’s not only equity but also debt and grants. Women and all women founding teams raised a rounding error, 2.3% to be exact, with only 13% going to gender diverse ones. Their article is headed: “2023 Deep-rooted gender imbalance” and deep-rooted it is. We just can’t seem to shake off these 2% levels.

How we designed a business that allowed us to only do work we love

February 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

Are you tired of taking every job that comes your way, offering discounts, and working on assignments you're not specialized in? It's time to break free from the scarcity mindset, stop working ridiculous hours, and dealing with abusive clients. Let's dive into why this approach doesn't work.

Leveraging Technology for Business Success

February 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Shatho Babitse

In the rapidly evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, technology has become a powerful catalyst for growth and innovation. For women entrepreneurs, leveraging technology can open new doors, enhance productivity, and create opportunities for business expansion. Here are key ways women entrepreneurs can harness the potential of technology to propel their ventures forward.

5 Steps to Be More Articulate

February 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

At least 80% of what we do, probably 99%, is communicating. We ask people to buy things, do things, approve budgets, make changes, show up, and go here, instead of there. Being articulate is an asset you can cultivate.

Learning to find joy inside yourself

February 10, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Marjon Meyer

‘ecstatic’ - adjective – feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement, eg. “I am ecstatic about my team’s excellent results”

We have all experienced ecstasy (the legal version) and the feeling of immense joy. It could be due to a planned event you have been looking forward to, or an intense moment of deep happiness when a pleasant surprise comes your way. A business deal that went really well, being spoilt by a person who appreciates you, an unexpected blessing …. all these events bring about a deep sense of wellbeing, joy and happiness.

Lisa Munsamy, a South African transportation and logistics industry game-changer

February 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lisa Munsamy, founder, Lisa’s Carriers (South Africa)

Startup Story

Lisa Munsamy is the founder of Lisa’s Carriers in South Africa. She is a seasoned businesswoman with a passion for the transportation and hospitality industries, as well as a passion for Life Coaching. With over 18 years of experience in road freight, Lisa has navigated the ever-evolving landscape of logistics, ensuring seamless and efficient transportation solutions. She has also been the proud owner of a guesthouse for the past 14 years. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science Degree and is also a Certified Life Transformation Coach.

Yetunde Akande, a Nigerian impact-maker empowering the fashion industry

February 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Yetroselane Fashion Hub, a multi-faceted fashion business creating jobs, and empowering fashion entrepreneurs of the future

Yetunde Akande is an award-winning CEO and founder of Yetroselane Fashion Hub in Nigeria, a mission-driven company founded in 2008, transforming the fashion industry through sustainability and empowerment, and employing 45 people. The hub's contemporary womenswear fosters inclusivity and empowerment, complemented by their Fashion Academy preparing women for successful fashion businesses. Operating with a zero-waste policy in their garment factory, Yetunde collaborates globally for amplified impact. Recognized with prestigious awards, her designs grace global runways, including New York Fashion Week and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Ghana. Committed to mentorship, Yetunde engages with organizations like WIMBIZ, AWE, and GAIN, shaping the future of aspiring entrepreneurs. She envisions a future of employment and thriving fashion ventures.

Unlocking Your Potential: Sales as a Career

February 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

No one has ever taken selling as a subject at school, yet over 90% of all business involves selling of one kind or another. When you hear the word salesman what usually comes to mind is a slick looking, fast talking, slimy person who is trying to take your hard-earned money from you. Well today and especially at Hirsch's Homestore, nothing could be further from the truth. Our salespeople are very kind, considerate people and they are known as "professional solution finders.” All day is spent finding solutions to other people’s problems. Be it from the perfect piece of toast for breakfast, to the most cost-efficient washing machine for a family of two, or ten; to the latest fridge/freezers which actually send you a message when your food is about to expire or run out! We have to know the model numbers, the features and benefits and of course the prices!

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