Resilience in the Legal Profession: A Professional Imperative

February 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Sonja Cilliers and Maryke Groenewald

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” — Charles Darwin

Resilience is a term that surfaces frequently in discussions about the legal profession, but its meaning is often misunderstood. Is resilience an inherent trait, or is it something legal professionals can develop over time? More importantly, how does the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of legal practice affect a legal professional’s ability to remain resilient?

Ady Namaran Coulibaly, an ardent promoter of African languages, facilitating language inclusion for the continent’s people

February 9, 2025 Melanie Hawken

**Ady Namaran Coulibaly, Co-Founder, Bolingo Consult**

Startup Story

Ady Namaran Coulibaly is Co-Founder and Quality and Compliance Manager of Bolingo Consult, a language services company established in 2019, which currently has offices in Ghana and Rwanda and a 10-person strong workforce. Through Bolingo Consult, Ady supports organisations and businesses looking to engage populations in Africa in their mother tongues and expand their reach within the continent. Ady is an ardent promoter of African languages, having co-founded the African Languages Conference.

Anne K Rweyora, an inspirational entrepreneur enabling women to own climate-smart homes in Uganda

February 9, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Anne K Rweyora, founder, Smart Havens Africa (Uganda)

Startup Story

Anne K Rweyora is the founder of Smart Havens Africa, an impact-driven business launched in 2018 aimed at contributing to Uganda’s housing sector by helping low-income women to become home-owners. As a female civil engineer driven to positively change lives, Anne’s business stands out by offering an innovative, eco-friendly, and empowering pathway to homeownership for women-headed families.

The Female Founder Formula: A Real-Life Roadmap to Nailing Entrepreneurship by Helen McGuire

February 9, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book review

Helen McGuire, entrepreneur and author of The Female Founder Formula: A Real-Life Roadmap to Nailing Entrepreneurship, believes that most women start businesses motivated by passion or purpose. She says they are driven to tackle the bigger issues or to provide a better way of life for themselves and their families. However, as most business books are written by men – they don’t take purpose or lifestyle into account. Having been successful as an entrepreneur while raising a young family over the last decade, Helen wanted to write the book she wished she'd had when she started out as a female founder with babies, a busy family life, and just an idea.

Spotlight on Tanzania: Meet 16 women entrepreneurs who are building unique businesses and brands

February 9, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Spotlight

In the latest in our series of Spotlight features on individual African countries where women entrepreneurs are making their mark with their businesses and brands, we shine a spotlight on Tanzania. From high-impact agribusinesses that are creating much-needed jobs, to tech businesses that are innovating and educating, to serial entrepreneurs building multi-faceted business empires across diverse sectors, Tanzania is a country with a wide variety of growth-focused women-owned businesses that are well worth a visit. Meet 16 women entrepreneurs in our Lionesses of Africa community who are building growth businesses and brands that are putting Tanzania on the entrepreneur map.

Wiem Ben-Mahmoud, a change-making Tunisian EdTech entrepreneur

February 9, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender cover Story

KidzRise, a business harnessing the power of AI combined with personalized learning to uncover and nurture each child’s unique talents

Wiem Ben-Mahmoud is the CEO and Founder of AI-powered Child Talent Detection platform, KidzRise, in Tunisia. She holds a Global MBA in Impact Entrepreneurship and a Master's Degree in Digital Management and Information Systems. Wiem began her career at Vermeg where she led international negotiations with Central Banks across Europe and Asia in the digital financial sector. Driven by her vision to impact children's lives, she left her stable career to launch KidzRise in 2023. Recognized as Most Promising Entrepreneur of 2024 by AfricArena, her EdTech startup has gained validation from MIT and MIT Solve in the USA , making a significant impact in Africa and beyond. The company has created jobs for 10 people to date.

What we're loving this week

February 8, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

Each week we shine a spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating world-class products that the world wants to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Patricia Vasco, founder, Amorambique (Mozambique); Kevine Kagirimpundu and Ysolde Shimwe, co-founders, Uzuri K & Y (Rwanda); Linda Mukangoga, founder, Haute Baso (Rwanda); Ana Alecia Lyman, founder, Bio Óleos de Miombo (BOM) (Mozambique); and Laura Struik, co-founder, ROF-Style (South Africa).

Skills over degrees: Redefining job qualifications in South Africa

February 8, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

In today’s evolving job market, a university degree is no longer the only pathway to success in South Africa. Increasingly, employers are valuing practical skills and hands-on expertise over formal qualifications, opening doors for job seekers who may not have had the opportunity to pursue traditional higher education.

The Productivity Trap: 5 Time Management Habits That Are Secretly Stressing You Out

February 8, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

We don't choose to be stressed or anxious. When life gets tough, we often fall back on habits that seem helpful but actually make us more tired and worried. The starting point is to create an awareness of the habits that have a misalignment between intention and impact.

On Perseverance: How a Dream to Visit Fiji Became a Testament to Never Giving Up

February 5, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Last year, Victor and I finally made it to Fiji on our first trip to the Pacific. But the journey to get there was one filled with patience, perseverance, and a little bit of life’s detours.

Customer Service Excellence: The Importance of Feedback Loops in Customer Service Processes

February 5, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” – Ken Blanchard

Customer feedback is a critical resource for any business aiming to improve its service delivery and foster customer loyalty. Feedback loops, when embedded into customer service processes, provide actionable insights to refine operations and enhance satisfaction.

Spotlight on Senegal: Meet 8 women entrepreneurs building growth businesses and brands that customers love

February 2, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Spotlight

In the latest in our series of Spotlight features on individual African countries where women entrepreneurs are making their mark with their businesses and brands, we shine a spotlight on Senegal. From the finest luxury textiles, exciting cosmetics and skincare product ranges, nutritional baby food products, fashion and accessories, and a bookseller promoting African authors, Senegal is a country with a wide variety of growth-focused women-owned businesses that are well worth a visit. Meet 8 women entrepreneurs in our Lionesses of Africa community who are building growth businesses and brands that customers love, and who are putting Senegal on the entrepreneur map.

What we're loving this week

February 2, 2025 Melanie Hawken

What we’re loving this week

Each week we shine a spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating world-class products that the world wants to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Charlotte Lefebvre, founder of Bush Princess in Kenya; Claudia Castellanos Roques, co-founder of Black Mamba Foods in Eswatini; Selassie Atadika, founder, Midunu Chocolates in Ghana; Sinenhlanhla Ndlela, founder of Yococo in South Africa; and Taila Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique.

Thelma Chimbganda, a visionary trailblazer in the logistics industry in Zimbabwe

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Thelma Chimbganda, CEO, Beyond Borders Logistics Group (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Thelma Chimbganda is a dynamic entrepreneur and leader in e-commerce, supply chain, and logistics, with over five years of impactful experience across Africa. As the CEO of Beyond Borders Logistics Group in Zimbabwe, founded in 2020, she has guided the company to become a significant player in the industry, delivering practical solutions in first- and last-mile logistics, warehousing, freight forwarding, and supply chain management. Her leadership is characterized by a focus on tackling industry challenges, enhancing operational efficiency, and continuously improving services to meet the unique needs of clients and stakeholders.

Kim Williams, an award-winning top interior designer and behaviour strategist based in Cape Town, South Africa

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Startup Story

Kim Williams is an award-winning top interior designer and behaviour strategist based in Cape Town. With a unique approach that blends creative and behavioural strategies, Kim transforms spaces to positively impact people's lives. Her work spans residential and commercial projects, earning international recognition. Kim is also an inspiring public speaker and author, known for her commitment to mindfully design purpose-driven environments that shape lives.

Salamba Diene, a cosmetics and food supplement champion in Senegal

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

BIOSENE SARL, a business processing agri-food and cosmetic products that are proudly made in Senegal

Salamba Diene is the founder of BIOSENE SARL in Senegal, offering a range of “caring” products and food supplements in the form of powders, leaves, capsules or various solutions, but also cosmetic products in the form of creams, oils or butters, for a single leitmotif: health - beauty for a “better life” and a “well-being” for consumers. BIOSENE collaborates with groups of women producers of baobab fruit, Shea butter, or cultivating exotic fruits (Hibiscus, mango etc.) and establishes direct links with source producers throughout Africa. The business has 59 employees.

Practical Wealth Attraction: The Enlightened Entrepreneur's Guide to Manifesting Business Success by Victoria Marie Gallagher

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

If you are an entrepreneur ready to break free from financial limitations and unlock the secrets to wealth and financial freedom, then Victoria Marie Gallagher’s new book, Practical Wealth Attraction: The Enlightened Entrepreneur's Guide to Manifesting Business Success, is a great read. She believes that financial success isn’t just about hustling and grinding harder—it’s about aligning your vision, energy, and actions with the flow of abundance.

The importance of the candidate experience during employee screening in South Africa

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

In today’s competitive job market, where talent is often scarce and companies must act quickly to secure top candidates, the candidate experience during the hiring process has become a crucial element in the overall success of recruitment strategies.

Emotional Intelligence Is Dead. (Not Really, But Here’s What You Need to Know About the New Intelligences)

February 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Seanice Lojede

In a world where the pace of change shows no signs of slowing, the concept of intelligence is evolving beyond traditional measures of IQ and even the well-known Emotional Intelligence (EQ). As we navigate increasingly complex social, cultural, and environmental landscapes, new forms of intelligence are gaining prominence, each offering unique insights into how we can thrive in a dynamic world.

Download your FREE copy of the latest Playbook: Financing Business Growth

25 leading African women entrepreneurs share practical strategies, real experiences and advice. Playbook link

Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

LATEST PODCASTS

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · Episode 1: Business Funding Journeys

Episode 1: Business Funding Journeys Podcast features Melanie Hawken, founder & CEO, Lionesses of Africa and Melissa Basque-Roux, Coordinator, AFAWA, who share insights on creating greater access to finance and economic growth opportunities for women business builders in Africa. Also in conversation are three women entrepreneurs building sustainable, impact-driven businesses - Anne Rweyora, founder of Smart Havens Africa in Uganda, an enterprise creating affordable, climate-smart homes for women; and Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, co-founders of Mo’s Crib in South Africa, a high-growth, sustainable handmade decor manufacturing business.

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · Episode 2: Business Funding Journeys

Episode 2: Business Funding Journeys Podcast focuses on women entrepreneurs in the agribusiness sector who are in growth mode. In conversation with host Melanie Hawken, founder of Lionesses of Africa, are Yvette Dickson-Tetteh, co-founder of Pure and Just Food in Ghana, a high-impact business transforming fresh fruit into premium tropical dried fruit products; and Hadija Jabiri, founder of GBRI Business Solutions in Tanzania, which specialises in growing, processing and selling premium fruits and vegetables for local and export markets.

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · Episode 3: Business Funding Journeys

Episode 3: Business Funding Journeys Podcast co-hosted by Melanie Hawken, founder of Lionesses of Africa, and Melissa Basque-Roux, Coordinator, AFAWA, focuses on the important topic of how to advance smart, inclusive investment in WSMES for sustainable economic development on the African continent. Guests in conversation and sharing their considerable insights include: Dipuo Phakathi, founder of Denic Cabinets in South Africa, Mariam Zein, MD of MAFCI in Mauritania, and Aniela Koffi, SME/SMI Manager, Commercial Banking Division, Ecobank.

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

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Pleroma Patch, a South African innovative wellness brand creating plant-based patches to support sleep, recovery, and menstrual health.

Vanessa Mhlom is the founder and CEO of Pleroma Patch and is a 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award finalist. Pleroma Patch is a modern wellness brand pioneering a simpler, smarter way to care for your body, through transdermal vitamin patches. Pleroma’s discreet, plant-based patches support sleep, recovery, and menstrual health. Driven by her belief that dignified self-care should be a right, not a luxury, she is developing the ‘Patch It Forward’ initiative, a give-back model that channels a portion of each purchase toward expanding access to wellness essentials like menstrual and sleep support for underserved women and girls.

Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Mo’s Crib, a premium sustainable homeware brand founded by sisters Morongwe and Michelle Mokone in Pretoria, South Africa. From humble beginnings making origami at local markets, the company has grown into one of Africa’s leading exporters of handcrafted décor. Using recycled PVC waterpipes and natural materials such as banana bark, cane, and sisal, Mo’s Crib creates globally sought-after baskets, planters, furniture, and ornaments. Today, the brand supplies major international retailers including Crate & Barrel, Target, and Woolworths Home. Committed to social impact, Mo’s Crib empowers over 85 artisans, creating jobs while advancing environmental sustainability and African design innovation. The business was launched in 2019 and today employs 280 people.

Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Hazile Group, a South African agribusiness focused on sustainable food systems, renewable energy, and water stewardship

Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi is a social entrepreneur and thought leader in climate resilience, and a 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award finalist. She leads Hazile Group, a black woman-led enterprise driving climate-smart solutions in agriculture, energy, and water. The company’s core mission is to address food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy transition while uplifting marginalised communities. Hazile's focus on rural development, empowering farmers, and integrating climate-smart technologies directly supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably zero hunger, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and climate action. She also runs Acumind Consulting, guiding organisations toward inclusive, values-driven leadership and ESG strategies.

Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Setšong Tea Crafters, an agri-business specialising in the crafting of speciality indigenous teas from the natural flora found in South Africa’s rural Limpopo

A former quantity surveyor turned social entrepreneur, Retang Phaahla is the co-founder and CEO of Setšong Tea Crafters in South Africa, and the winner of the 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award. Her business celebrates indigenous tea knowledge while driving rural development. Based in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, the majority women-owned social enterprise collaborates with communities to produce a range of health-promoting teas (known for calming nerves, relieving tension, and supporting balanced blood pressure), and hosts cultural tours to promote eco-tourism and preserve heritage. Setšong’s business model has created sustainable income streams for rural women while reviving ancient botanical traditions. The business was launched in 2017 and has created 30 jobs for local people.

Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Igaaza Creations, a Uganda-based social enterprise promoting literacy through children’s storybook publishing and capacity building

Dr Margaret Kemigisha is the founder and CEO of Igaaza Creations, a Uganda-based social enterprise that promotes literacy through the publishing of children’s storybooks, offers social research consulting, and builds capacity among fresh graduates. Her work bridges development and applied research, supporting governments, development organizations, and the private sector with evidence-based solutions and creative tools for impact.

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Special Occasion Cakes…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-

Image of the Day / Atelier Taila Carrilho

Statement Accessories…We love the power of accessories to make strong fashion statements, and Taíla Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique creates the most exquisite, eye-cat

Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f

Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma

Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene

Image of the Day / House of Cinnamon

Animal print pumps…These eye-catching animal print pumps from House of Cinnamon in South Africa are a great addition to any stylish wardrobe. Founded by Frances Edwards, House of Cinnamon is a proudly Afro

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured

Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger, co-founders of a first-to-South African-market serum-only skincare range

Startup Story

Dr Juanri Jonck and Bernadette Kruger are co-founders of Twenty 4 Skin, a unique South African medical-grade skincare brand. Juanri is a medical doctor with a special interest in regenerative medicine, so you could say she is a holistic regenerative GP, and Bernadette is a somatologist. The brand focuses on hormone optimization, aesthetic medicine, as well as skincare formulations.

Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment

Startup Story

Gillian Holl, founder of VELD Architects in South Africa, has built a business renowned for creating spaces that serve not as statements but as sanctuaries. It’s an architecture deeply connected to the African landscape, fostering a sense of belonging and calm.

Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management

Startup Story

Júlia Silota is the founder and CEO of J&G Environment Ltda, a Mozambican company operating in the environmental field, focused on the purchase and sale of solid waste, and providing solid waste collection services, solid waste management training, and environmental project evaluation. It was founded in August 2020 and began operations in 2023. It employs four people, two full-time and two part-time.

Claudia Machaieie, a Mozambican green business innovator transforming marine waste into reading glasses

Startup Story

Cláudia Machaieie is the founder of Sea Glasses in Mozambique. She is a 28-year-old with a degree in Marine Biology, a postgraduate degree in Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Biology and Conservation Ecology. She has completed several technical courses in monitoring and project management. She began her activity as a volunteer and social activist at the age of 14 and is currently a founding volunteer of SOA Mozambique and a volunteer with Solo Adventures. She has worked in public (IIP), private (SEPPA, Centro Terra Viva), and international organizations (Girl Move Academy, UN - World Food Programme) developing activities in administration, monitoring, and management of humanitarian and environmental programs. Currently, she is the social responsibility coordinator at TOPACK Mozambique.

Matilde Mawelele Rungo, a Mozambican tech-preneur helping to drive digital transformation in the country

Startup Story

Matilde Mawelele Rungo is a digital transformation consultant, cybersecurity specialist, and founder of RealityTech Advisory in Mozambique, where she leads technology-driven projects for businesses and startups. She is also an evangelist and the creator of MTI – A Triad of Hope for Children, an initiative that integrates Evangelism, Technology, and Innovation to empower young people and communities. With a global vision, Matilde is committed to advancing individuals, organizations, and ecosystems through technology, faith, and meaningful social impact. The business was launched in 2024 and today has created jobs for 6 people.

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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

Book Review

Successful entrepreneur Betsy Fore, in her new book Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams, shows how, by practicing a manifesting mindset, you can discover your deepest purpose. She calls this an “inner why” and believes finding it can unlock your greatest potential as a creator, founder, and builder of great products.

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

Book Review

The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur by Mary Grant is a transformative guide for high-achieving women entrepreneurs, business owners, and coaches who are ready to amplify their influence, impact, and income. Written by Mary Grant, a seasoned entrepreneur and innovation expert with over 30 years in the fashion industry, this book unpacks the art of empowered presence, bold confidence, and defining success on your own terms. Through insights, strategies, and a fresh perspective on success, the author empowers women to harness their unique strengths, navigate challenges, and rise to their next level with clarity and unstoppable momentum.

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

Book Review

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 is not just another business book. Most focus on strategies and tactics. This one rewires the woman behind the business—so your growth is aligned, sustainable, and actually feels good.

Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting

Book Review

In the book, Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business, author Liz Elting, one of the most celebrated and successful women in America, has created a guide for how to not only dream big, but also win―both in business and in life.

After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

Book Review

In her new book, After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup, entrepreneurship expert Julia Austin shares battle-tested strategies to help founders and startup joiners build their venture from the ground up.

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