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Lionesses of Africa

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The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

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Mabusang Malotane, a South African entrepreneur building an event and entertainment project management business

May 5, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Mabusang Malotane, founder and ceo, Shai Boi Project Management Pty Ltd (South Africa)

Startup story

Mabusang Malotane is the founder and ceo of Shai Boi Project Management Pty Ltd, a company founded in 2017 and registered in South Africa, Rwanda, and Mauritius. She is also the founder of Shai Chai Organic Tea, an organic luxury tea brand design and the ultimate in artisan-crafted teas, exemplifying the level of elegant ambiance. She has over 14 years’ of experience in the event and entertainment industry and the financial industry.

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In Startup Story Tags South Africa, Event Management
Comment

Kathryn Malherbe, a South African breast cancer diagnostics innovator

May 5, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Kathryn Malherbe

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

MED AI SOl PTY LTD t/a MedSol AI Solutions, a business creating affordable, diagnostic AI and Deep machine learning systems for breast cancer diagnosis

Kathryn Malherbe is the founder and ceo of MED AI SOl PTY LTD t/a MedSol AI Solutions in South Africa, a business at the forefront of the AI-driven healthcare market by utilizing cutting-edge technology and collaborating with researchers to produce innovative solutions. It’s focus is on patient-centered outcomes sets the business apart from other vendors in the market. The company launched in 2019 and today has 10 employees.

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In Cover Story Tags South Africa, Healthcare
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Want Impact? Back a Lioness, not a Unicorn!

May 5, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“You don't want the institutions incentivized to go big and expensive when you could maybe have more impact, smaller and less expensive”, so said Margaret Kuhlow of the US Dept of Treasury at one of the side meetings at the recent World Bank Spring Conference (see here 1:30:05).

Anna Bjerde, the World Bank Managing Director of Operations confirmed the key message of the meetings (here): “A key component…is measuring outcomes rather than inputs and focusing on results that further our aim to improve people's lives and livelihoods.”

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In Team Lioness
Comment

Seeding Innovation: The Path to Profit and Purpose in the 21st Century by Robyn O’Brien

May 5, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Robyn O’Brien

Book Review

In Seeding Innovation: The Path to Profit and Purpose in the 21st Century, veteran entrepreneur, award-winning author, global strategist, speaker, and Rice University Innovation and Entrepreneurship professor, Robyn O’Brien, delivers an insightful and data-driven roadmap to authenticity and smart leadership in the face of accelerating technological, environmental, and social change. In the book, you’ll discover how to build resilience, authenticity, market share, and purpose into your business plan and move beyond box-ticking, virtue signaling, and one-dimensional metrics, in a way that strengthens your business model, enhances your bottom line, attracts investors, fortifies employee retention, and more.

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In Essential Tags Books
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How to Strive Satisfied

May 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

If you don't have a 'pause' button, you're probably a Striver. We associate being a Striver with a badge of honour. It's linked with traits like being a high achiever, disciplined, organised, and successful. It's the mark of the go-getter and having it all together. These superpowers may have led to our success, but as with anything, there is a shadow side.

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In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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How to turn your fear into fuel for entrepreneurial success

May 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

Sometimes when you’ve taken a big leap, you are so conscious of the magnitude of what you’ve done that you don't think you can or should take any more major steps. That was me after leaving home at 22 years old - I was so determined to make my life work and validate the choices I had made, that I found it difficult to think beyond my immediate activities. This kind of paralysis can also hit entrepreneurs in the early stages of building their business, particularly when a huge risk has been taken to get to the start-up stage.

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In Guest Blog Tags Thembe Khumalo, Fear, Entrepreneurial Mindset
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The power of mentorship on this lonely entrepreneurial journey

May 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Matine

Mentorship has always been a critical topic in most personal development discussions on career paths. There has been so much to gain from it that I started researching on how this methodology can be used in my entrepreneurial sally.

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In Guest Blog Tags Yolanda Matine, Mentoring, PT
Comment

Legally Navigating the Creator Economy with Confidence

May 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

The rapidly growing creator economy is providing South African entrepreneurs with exceptional chances to collaborate and expand their businesses. As companies from various industries are increasingly acknowledging the impact of influencer marketing, it has become crucial to comprehend the legal complexities of such partnerships to protect their interests and promote sustainable brand relationships. 

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In Guest Blog Tags Nicolene Schoeman–Louw, Legal
Comment

Victoria Munguti, a mobile money champion in East Africa

April 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Victoria Munguti

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Hepta Pay, a fintech business helping dissolve the barriers to cross-border micropayments for members of the East African Diaspora

Victoria Munguti is the co-founder and ceo of Hepta Pay, a financial services company founded in 2020 and based in East Africa. She holds a master's degree in information technology (MSIT) with a focus on Data Science and Entrepreneurship from Carnegie Mellon University. Throughout her career Victoria has worked on different tech projects and entrepreneurial venture programs. She has also co-founded two start-up businesses in the domains of Data Analytics (Hepta Analytics) and Fintech (Hepta Pay) respectively. She has been actively engaged in the tech ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs at different stages of ideation, startup, and go-to-market strategies, and scaling of successful startups into scale-ups in different countries of Africa.

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In Cover Story Tags Rwanda, Fintech
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Mukundi Lambani, a South African ed-tech innovator improving multilingual learning for children

April 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Mukundi Lambani, founder, Ambani Africa (South Africa)

Startup Story

Mukundi Lambani is the founder of Ambani Africa in South Africa, an innovative ed-tech company committed to promoting multilingual education and improving learning outcomes for children. Her journey into producing began in 2010 with the international 48 Hour Film Project. At just 23, she became the first African producer of the competition, organizing film festivals in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Gaborone. This initiative opened doors for over 200 filmmakers, some even making it to Hollywood and Cannes, thanks to Lambani's fundraising efforts. The business was registered in 2018 and started operations in 2020, and now employs 10 people.

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In Startup Story Tags South Africa, Edutech
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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)

Startup Story

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.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Consulting Services, Coach
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How to Create a Powerful Brand Experience & Why it Matters

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Consider a positive brand experience that stands out for you. It could be purchasing a product online and receiving your delivery ahead of schedule. How about a restaurant that created an amazing experience from start to finish? What experiences have you told friends about and done free PR because you were left with a lasting impression and impact?

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In Guest Blog Tags Lori Milner, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Brand
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The Power of Positive self-story telling

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Refilwe Sebothoma


I’ve always been adamant that I don’t like hosting, my sister-in-law suggested that I do this for Christmas last year. Eventually, I agreed, but of course, it was going to be at a restaurant. And I remember her explaining why it wouldn’t work because it also “doesn’t have that family thing”. I felt defeated and said it’s ok, I’ll host at home.

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In Guest Blog Tags Refilwe Sebothoma, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Story Telling
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Taking the leap – boldly paving the way to represent world-class brands

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Matine

When I decided that I was turning my gift (cooking) into a business, every social media page I navigated into started showing me how the world of lunchboxes is so advanced in other places beyond Mozambique where we only have one well-referenced brand.

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In Guest Blog Tags Yolanda Matine, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Self Belief, PT
Comment

About being ghosted

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Teboho Seretlo

What does the term “ghosting” even mean? I looked it up on Google and this is what comes up: “Ghosting is when someone who used to be friendly or even romantic with you suddenly cuts off all communication without explanation. While most people think of ghosting in a digital context, meaning a friend or dating partner stops responding to texts, emails, calls, etc., it can happen across all social circumstances.” For me, where it says it can happen across all social circumstances, this is true. However, I daresay it happens across the spectrum, professionally too.

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In Guest Blog Tags Teboho Seretlo, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Ethics
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Life begins at 80! The World Bank with a new Spring in its step

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

As American Presidential hopefuls will tell you, life begins at 80 and so given the World Bank turned 80 this year, would there be a new lease of life, a new energy to tackle the world’s greatest problems?

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In Team Lioness
Comment

Making Waves: One Start-Up Founder's Raw, Gritty, & Unexpected Journey by Helaine Knapp

April 26, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

With her first book, Making Waves, Helaine Knapp is an inspiration on what it really takes to grow a company over 10 years - sharing the real, raw, and gritty story - with an ending that will surprise you. Helaine wrote Making Waves to be the person she always wanted but never had in her corner as a founder - to provide structure, framework, confidence, listen and craft tactical solutions to founders and execs that need it in uncertain times.

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In Essential Tags Books
Comment

Lioness Launch / Job Crystal Launches Crystal AI in England, Spearheaded by CEO Sasha Knott

April 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sasha Knott

Lioness Launch

Job Crystal, a pioneering force in South Africa’s recruitment industry, proudly announces the official launch of Crystal AI in the United Kingdom. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its innovative solutions to make recruiting faster, especially for the Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and South Africa.

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In Lioness Launch Tags South Africa, AI, Recruitment Services
Comment

Focus on women in manufacturing at the 2nd Lioness Business Agility Webinar of 2024

April 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Event Report

Lionesses of Africa’s latest Lioness Business Agility Webinar of 2024, took place on 17 April 2024, with 148 women entrepreneurs predominantly from South Africa joining the event online. Once again hosted in partnership with Absa, the webinar focused on the theme of “Women in manufacturing, creating jobs and local impact”. 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 sustainable manufacturing businesses that are creating much-needed jobs and driving economic growth.

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In Event Report, Features Tags absa
Comment

The Multi-Million Dollar Mompreneur: Your Guide to Business Mastery, Uncommon Freedom, and Legacy Wealth by Julie Roy

April 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Julie Roy

Book Review

In her new book, The Multi-Million Dollar Mompreneur: Your Guide to Business Mastery, Uncommon Freedom, and Legacy Wealth, author and entrepreneur Julie Roy shares some major takeaways from her journey to financial freedom and a fulfilling life. While offering insights and concrete action items to help anyone striving to propel their business, Julie speaks directly to highly motivated women who are seeking to harmonize high net-worth entrepreneurship and family.

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In Essential Tags Books
Comment
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Tote Bags…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ fa Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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