the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Masada Terverite Deconnick, Director and CEO, MTD’s Auto Electrical Pty Ltd (Botswana)
Startup Story
Masada Terverite Deconnick is the Director and CEO at MTD’s Auto Electrical Pty Ltd located in Mochudi in Botswana. Her vehicle repair workshop was officially opened March 2023 after operating as a mobile business for close to a decade. MTD’s Auto Electrical currently has 6 employees - 2 mechanics, 2 auto electricians,1 apprentice, one security guard, and a Chief Operations Officer.
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by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
Our title this week comes from the highly respected Trove Research that is now part of MSCI Carbon Markets. A long term study of the carbon credit usage based on a sample of 4,156 companies over 5 years within which they found that “‘Heavier’ users of credits are found, on average, to be decarbonizing more quickly than ‘lighter’ users of credits [and] [U]sers of higher integrity / higher priced credits are, on average, reducing their emissions more quickly than users of lower integrity / priced credits.” (here)
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by Jenny Reid
Many companies have effective pre-employment screening policies, but the need for screening doesn’t end after hiring. Regular rescreening of existing employees at all levels is essential to protect the company from unforeseen issues and to ensure preparedness.
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by Margaret Hirsch
In retail, we all know that challenges are part of the journey—whether it’s an economic downturn, shifting consumer habits, or global disruptions. But what sets successful retailers apart isn’t avoiding tough times—it’s how we respond to them. I’ve always believed that the challenges we face are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth, innovation, and comebacks.
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by Lori Milner
What astounds me when working with female entrepreneurs is how each conversation shares so many similarities and consistent themes despite each person's unique journey. Rather than writing my usual blog format, I would like to share my most gifted advice. I have removed any personal details and names so confidentiality is not compromised. What remains is the raw truth of what we all feel, experience and face daily. My invitation is for you to find your truth and where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, but above all, I want you to know that you are not alone.
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by Yolanda Isabel Langa
Sustainable businesses are essential in our communities, balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility. Each choice can have a significant impact on the environment.
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Olubukola Abitoye, Managing Director and CEO, Digital Space Capital (Nigeria)
Startup Story
Olubukola Abitoye is the Managing Director and CEO of Digital Space Capital in Nigeria, a comprehensive financial services provider covering Investment Banking, Asset Management, Insurance, Micro Banking, and Fintech, with her own digital savings solution app, Digikolo. The business launched in 2020 and today employs 104 people. Olubukola is a highly accomplished finance professional with a wealth of experience in the banking and finance industry. She is also the CEO of WeBrandIt Limited and the owner of Eco Cleaning Services Limited.
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Pearl Tsheko, founder and ceo, Black Fabrick (Botswana)
Startup Story
Pearl Tsheko is the founder and ceo of Black Fabrick in Botswana. Through her company, she provides high-quality business imaging, marketing, and branding services, catering to a diverse clientele ranging from startups to multinational corporations.
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Oakantse Alfred
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Oakantse Alfred is a well-seasoned businesswoman, serial entrepreneur, speaker, and consultant. With a career spanning as far back as her college days she has established an elite Real Estate company in Botswana, LesediLebone Property Developers, where she is currently the CEO. LesediLebone Property Developers was founded in 2011 and has 70 employees at maximum capacity. Oakantse also later established her consultancy, Brand OA, in a quest to share her knowledge with other aspiring business owners. She currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Certificate in Real Estate.
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Theresa M. Līna
Book Review
In her book, Be the Go-To: How to Own Your Competitive Market, Charge More, and Have Customers Love You For It, author, thought-leader and strategist, Theresa M. Līna reveals a groundbreaking, step-by-step approach called the Apollo Method for Market Dominance. It’s a detailed, pragmatic recipe for becoming your market’s Go-To brand, brought to life through fascinating, behind-the-scenes stories from the Apollo Space Program, Tesla, Disney, Apple, Lego, Salesforce, Amazon, REI, and more.
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by Jenny Reid
Earlier this year, on 6 May, we all listened in horror as radio stations across the country let us know about a building that had collapsed and 81 people were stuck in the rubble. Awful updates were constantly received with people being unaccounted for, being rushed to hospital in severe condition, or dying. There were allegations that the owner of the building wished to add a storey to the building that the foundations were not built for and that the construction crew allowed and encouraged the cleaning ladies to mix cement for use in the multi-storey building.
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by Thembe Khumalo
We’ve probably transcended the “Africa is not a country” conversation by now. At least I hope we have. We now know that each country and region in Africa is rich with unique languages, symbols, and traditions, which form the foundation of effective PR campaigns. When communicating across the diverse cultural landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa therefore, it's essential to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach will not resonate.
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by Margaret Hirsch
Burnout is now a buzzword but what is it actually? My philosophy is that if you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life and you will never have burnout. Burnout to me is not being able to cope with your workload. Why don’t people cope?
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by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw
Crowdfunding has emerged as a popular method for individuals and businesses to raise funds for various causes, projects, or ventures. Each type of crowdfunding caters to different needs, offering unique opportunities and obligations for fundraisers and investors alike.
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Raeanne Lacatena
Book Review
Embark on a transformative journey with Raeanne Lacatena, author of The Integrated Entrepreneur, where you will discover that entrepreneurship is a personal development plan, brilliantly disguised as a financial opportunity. Her new book combines poignant insights with practical exercises to inspire entrepreneurs to embrace purpose-driven business ownership through the depths of self-transcendence, and through themes such as integration, abundance mindset, and releasing limiting beliefs.
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by Jenny Reid
Employee fraud, previously called Insider fraud refers to when an employee of your company lies or steals from the company, this could refer to stealing money, maliciously taking access to company assets, or even workplace recognition. Any kind of fraud can negatively affect a company, but employee fraud is becoming a bigger concern than it has been in the past.
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by Sasha Knott
South Africa is facing an unemployment crisis, but there is much you can do to secure a job. South Africa is grappling with a significant challenge to economic growth: the shortage of critical skills, even basic ones such as crafting effective CVs. With a high unemployment rate and growing demand for specialised expertise, collaboration among students, educational institutions, and public-private partnerships is essential to bridging this skills gap.
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by Thembe Khumalo
Over the past seven years, we've loved working with nonprofits across various critical impact areas; from human rights and gender equality to environmental and civil protection. One thing we've consistently noticed is that while these organisations are passionate and dedicated, many don't fully grasp the transformative power of a well-crafted brand strategy. The truth is strategic branding and communication aren't just for commercial businesses — they're vital tools that can amplify a nonprofit's impact and help fulfill its mission more effectively.
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by Margaret Hirsch
My boss is 27, why is that so strange? Mostly because I am 74 and have been my own boss for the past 45 years. What made me do this, the law! I qualified as a Realtor in Florida but the law states that you have to work for a broker for two years before you can start your own business. I thought I would battle to get a job but to my surprise I have been offered over 250 jobs! That was really amazing. I didn’t even have to go for the interview, I would have the job if I wanted it. After sifting through most of the offers, I narrowed it down to 3, the biggest company in the USA, a boutique smaller company and then a brand-new company run by a 27 year old.
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by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
Written on a Thursday when the weight of the week of putting out fires and being dragged into the weeds of a mass of issues, has built up on our shoulders (and neck, oh those tight neck muscles!), is not lessened by the realisation that the weekend that seems so close will just bring 48 hours of catch-up rather than deep and fulfilling sleep.
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