the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Thembe Khumalo
For dreamers like me, the holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in the wonder and magic of fantasy. I can let my imagination run wild and dream of the extraordinary. If I were to make an unconventional Christmas wish list, one that contains no material possessions (because if I told you the material things I wish for, you might faint!) here’s what would be on it:
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by Margaret Hirsch
As we approach the new year, I find myself reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the past and the opportunities that lie ahead. Each year, I choose a guiding word that encapsulates my focus and intention for the months to come. For 2025, my word is collaboration.
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by Dr Michélle Booysen
"Great customer service doesn't happen by accident. It happens by design." – Clare Muscutt
Customer service is important. Consistency, efficiency, and responsiveness in customer service are essential to effectively serve and retain customers. Processes play a pivotal role in achieving these outcomes, ensuring that every customer interaction aligns with your business standards and goals.
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Jennifer Dawn
Book Review
If the daily grind has dimmed your entrepreneurial fire, The Apple Stand: How To Rekindle The Love For Your Business by Jennifer Dawn will reignite your passion. This is a book that will help you to rediscover the joy of entrepreneurship. Jennifer’s insights and guidance will help to heal limiting beliefs, shift perspectives, and balance tactical action with self-care to rekindle your purpose, financial flow and original enthusiasm. This inspiring guide lights a torch from lessons learned on Jennifer’s own journey of setbacks and triumph.
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by Margaret Hirsch
As the holidays approach, it’s easy to get swept up in the festive buzz, the shopping lists, and the year-end rush. But I’ve found that this time of year isn’t just about closing the books on another year—it’s about planting seeds for what’s to come. While we’re stringing up holiday lights, we should also be stringing together our plans and dreams for 2025. Let’s talk about how to finish this year with purpose and step into the new one with intention.
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by Louise Mowbray
The power of context, why it always rules and how developing your Contextual Intelligence empowers you to adapt and thrive.
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by Daphney Klopper
“Africa: The Big Deal” serves as a vital resource for understanding the dynamics of start-up funding in Africa, providing stakeholders with the data and insights needed to make informed decisions and foster a more inclusive and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Compiled by Max Cuvellier Giacomelli and Maxime Bayen, the report covers various types of funding, including equity, debt, and grants, but excludes exits. Despite the influx of capital into African start-ups, the gender disparity in funding remains stark and troubling. In 2024, less than 5% of the funding has gone to start-ups with a female CEO, a decline from 5.6% between 2019 and 2023. This trend is even more pronounced when examining the gender composition of founding teams. Only 1% of the funding went to all-female founding teams, down from 2.1% in the previous years, and 9% to teams with at least one woman, a significant drop from 17%.
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by Thembe Khumalo
Listen, I fully understand why it’s important to be realistic, especially with business goals. As an entrepreneur, it is how you plan your income and your life after all. But I am also a fan of the occasional delusional season - where you give yourself permission to dream - and I mean really dream, to imagine success and impact beyond what you generally, well, dream about. Why? Because when you stimulate your imagination, you move things that were otherwise impossible into the realm of the attainable.
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Mercia Bie, founder, Sabor Caseiro 2A (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Mercia Bie, founder of Sabor Caseiro 2A in Mozambique is building an agri-processing business where each seasoning tells a story and each dish is an experience. Her mission is to bring natural flavor and authenticity to customers' tables, whether at home or at special events. Mercia’s vision is to create a line of seasonings that not only enhance the flavor of dishes, but also make a nutritional contribution to our lives. The company’s brand values focus on ethics and transparency, appreciation and involvement in human capital, respect and trust in customers.
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Lusanda Omelo, founder, findaiforthat (South Africa)
Startup Story
Lusanda Omelo is the founder of findaiforthat, a digital marketing and AI automation business in South Africa. After many years in the corporate world, Lusanda embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. With a rich background in marketing, she has worked with both multinationals and startups. Her true passion lies in helping SMMEs thrive in their environments. In her exploration of AI, Lusanda developed findaiforthat.co.za, an online AI directory featuring over 1,000 tools designed to make business tasks easier. This platform is a testament to her commitment to leveraging AI to support businesses in achieving their goals. She has partnered with various international clients to ensure that these tools are used and easily available to Africans.The business started in 2021 and has created jobs for 3 people.
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Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, Ngozi Edozien & Bella Ikeme
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
ESG In Action Africa Ltd, a consortium dedicated to empowering African organisations in their journey towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence.
Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, Ngozi Edozien & Bella Ikeme are the founders of ESG In Action Africa, a Nigeria based consortium of seasoned consultants and subject matter experts, committed to guiding African organisations on the transformative journey towards sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) excellence. ESG In Action Africa’s mission is clear: To partner with African entities on their ESG journey to sustainability and business excellence, by democratising and localising access to ESG insights, resources, tools, training, and advisory services. Together, the ESG In Action Africa team will help to unlock the full potential of ESG by elevating strategy execution and good governance, thereby building institutions renowned for best practices who will push the envelope on ESG in Africa to the highest international standards and creating lasting value for all stakeholders as well as the communities they collectively serve.
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Lorato Mosetlhanyane
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Pinnalead, a leadership development organization coaching the next generation of business leaders in Botswana
Lorato Mosetlhanyane is a renowned Professional Certified Coach and the founder of Pinnalead in Botswana. Prior to forming her business in 2013, she worked in the corporate world as a Chartered Accountant in different capacities for over 17 years. She left her formal employment at the position of Chief Finance Officer for a leading Life Insurance Company in Botswana, having contributed to its growth and success. The writings of John Maxwell awakened a passion in her that saw her embarking on a completely new journey and certifying as a John Maxwell Certified Coach, after five years of continuous mentoring by the internationally acclaimed leadership guru, John C Maxwell.
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Mimi Kalinda
Book Review
In her new book, Echoes of Influence: Harnessing The Power of Storytelling As A Leadership Strategy, author Mimi Kalinda provides an essential guide to navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of global business, where technological leaps and socio-political shifts redefine traditional leadership paradigms. Mimi is a seasoned expert in global public relations and strategic communications, and her book explores the profound power of storytelling to transform leadership from a mere role into a resonant, impactful presence. Mimi’s insights teach leaders how to deeply connect with their teams, align with evolving organizational values, and navigate the complexities of a dynamic corporate world.
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by Lionesses of Africa’s Operations Department
Lionesses of Africa is now ten years old. An incredible decade of serious work and deep-rooted support from so many inspirational leaders, not only across the continent, such as our 100 Lionesses and many, many others within our incredible community, but also the various Governments, banks, DFIs and corporates. All of them have tirelessly supported us and driven to the fore the need for African female founders to be taken seriously by all who profess to care about building our incredible continent from within, and with African businesswomen at the helm strengthening communities and delivering sustainable tax-paying businesses and of course, ‘good jobs’.
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Veronique-Chantelle Mew, founder, Tall Story (South Africa)
Startup Story
Veronique-Chantelle Mew is a Chartered Accountant, a certified Life Coach and Personal Trainer, a breast cancer survivor, and the founder of Tall Story, based in South Africa. While working as a Chartered Accountant in the corporate world, she felt limited by conforming to someone else's vision and knew deep down that she wanted to start something of her own. In 2016, she resigned from her directorship position at an international company, and decided to embark on her entrepreneurial journey. She was determined to pursue her passion, knowing that this was where her heart truly belonged. Veronique launched Tall Story in 2022.
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Lilian Maira, founder, Pambo Letu (Kenya)
Startup Story
Lilian Maira is a passionate advocate for sustainable fashion with nearly two decades of experience in the Kenyan fashion industry. As the founder of Pambo Letu, Lilian combines traditional African craftsmanship with modern design to create eco-friendly, handcrafted bags. She collaborates with a team of talented artisans to produce high-quality products using sustainable materials, empowering local communities through fair wages and global exposure. Driven by a deep commitment to environmental and social impact, Lilian continues to champion ethical practices and innovative solutions in the fashion world. The business was launched in 2019 and has created jobs for 15 people.
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by Jenny Reid
The holiday season is coming up and it’s time to start thinking about house sitters and pet sitters. These people will have unsupervised access to your home and your pets for the duration of your holiday. Many things could happen in a couple of days you’re away.
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by Catia Mondlane
Discovering your passion and turning it into a sustainable business is a journey that requires courage, self-awareness, and, above all, action. It's not uncommon to feel the pressure to follow a conventional path, but it's when we connect with our true passions that we find personal and professional fulfilment. On this journey, we not only learn how to generate income but also how to impact lives.
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by Daphney Klopper
In the world of business, the narrative that women are more risk-averse than men has persisted for decades. But is this perception rooted in reality, or is it a convenient stereotype that overlooks deeper, systemic issues?
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by Ronel Jooste
It was the question “What is your plan for your personal growth?” that made world-renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell ponder about his career aspirations and that has ignited his journey becoming one of the most respected authors about leadership and personal growth.
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