by Jenny Reid
World Backup Day, observed on the 31st of March, reminded businesses globally, to protect their data from theft, loss or corruption and focuses on how essential it is that data protections are as comprehensive as possible.
Read moreThe Hidden Mental Health Toll of Geopolitical Disruptions
by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up approximately 90% of businesses worldwide, and play a pivotal role in economic development and employment. Given shifting geopolitical landscapes—from trade tensions to international aid cuts—these businesses must recognize and address the emotional and mental well-being of their stakeholders. This is particularly crucial at a time when geopolitical changes are already having an impact.
Read moreCreating a legacy through mentorship and leadership
by Ntsoaki Sibiya
Have you ever paused to think about the impact you are making—not just today, but in the years to come? Legacy isn’t just about wealth or status; it’s about the lives you touch, the lessons you pass on, and the path you pave for others. True leaders don’t just build businesses or careers; they build people. And the most profound way to do that is through mentorship.
Read morePerformance Management: The Role of Metrics in Process Improvement
by Dr Michélle Booysen
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” – Peter Drucker
Processes are the foundation of operational efficiency, but without measurable data, businesses risk making decisions based on assumptions rather than insights. Metrics provide a clear, objective view of how well processes are performing and where improvements are needed. By tracking the right metrics, one can identify inefficiencies, enhance performance, and drive continuous improvement.
Read moreLioness Launch / Feelgood Health, South Africa’s leading natural remedies company, launches new website for the holistic treatment of ADHD in children
Michele Carelse, Founder, Feelgood Health and Clinical Psychologist (South Africa)
Lioness Launch
Feelgood Health is a natural remedies company that specialises in herbal and homeopathic remedies and essential oils for babies, children, adults, and even the family pet. The company’s mission is to make natural alternatives widely available to everyone and to promote the use of safe, natural holistic alternatives for better health outcomes. Feelgood Health products are available online as well as in health shops, pharmacies, vet shops and retail stores throughout South Africa.
Read moreWhat we're loving this week
What we’re loving this week
In this week’s spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, we are showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable, quality products that discerning and impact-driven customers want to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Brincadeira, a vibrant earrings brand with an exclusive design approach, located in Maputo, Mozambique and founded by Nuria Arbelo; Dounia Home the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper; Mariée Eventos, the specialist wedding planning and eventing business based in Mozambique, founded by Iris Lezi Munguambe; Mulandi Brindes, a niche floral design company based in Mozambique and founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete; and artisan chocolatier Mon Choco based in Cote d’Ivoire, founded by Dana Mroueh.
Read moreNokuphila Gumede, an impact-focused entrepreneur integrating drone technology with precision agriculture to help farmers improve their businesses
Nokuphila Gumede, CEO and founder, Field Tech Environmental Solutions (South Africa)
Startup Story
Nokuphila Gumede is the CEO and founder of Field Tech Environmental Solutions, a pioneering South African company that integrates advanced drone technology with precision agriculture. Since founding the business in 2021, she has led its growth, providing farmers with cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable solutions for crop management. Under her leadership, Field Tech has expanded to employ 10 permanent staff and deliver services such as pesticide spraying, fertilizer application, and farm mapping. A recognized leader, Nokuphila has won numerous awards, including the 2024 Green Youth Innovators Pitch, and was a finalist in both the Standard Bank EmpowerHer Awards and National Presidential Awards.
Read morePretty Kubyane, a South African award-winning techpreneur transforming Africa’s agricultural supply chain
Pretty Kubyane, Co-Founder, eFama App (South Africa)
Startup Story
Pretty Kubyane, a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and Tech Lead, is the Co-Founder of eFama App, launched in 2023. Inspired by her late father’s business ventures, she began her entrepreneurial journey at six. Holding 20+ certifications in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and blockchain, she leads eFama in transforming Africa’s agricultural supply chain. Under her leadership, eFama has secured backing from major companies in the USA, UK, and South Africa, including banks and tech firms. Named a Rising Star in 2022, Pretty drives innovation and social impact across Africa, together with her team of 7 employees, supported by a strong network of industry experts, investors and advisors.
Read moreNo More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe
Catherine Cowart Roe
Book Review
In her new book, No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back, author Catherine Cowart Roe challenges the expectation in society that, as entrepreneurs we need to be available 24/7. She says, this isn't true! Being on call for your business is actually undermining your growth and productivity. Setting and maintaining boundaries and limits is the key to success. No More 24/7 provides a path with actionable steps for busy entrepreneurs like yourself to reclaim your freedom. Through these practices, you will take control of your life and become more efficient than before.
Read moreTshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry
Tshego Molefi
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Moli & Mela Group, a business providing innovative and sustainable waste management solutions in South Africa
Tshego Molefi is the co-founder and Managing Director of Moli & Mela Group, a specialist waste management business in South Africa, founded in 2017 and today employing 60 people. A former journalist turned business leader, she is now an award-winning entrepreneur, fostering change in the male dominated waste management industry. She is bold, resilient, and driven by faith. Her success goes beyond business—it’s about impact. Her humble beginnings have inspired her philanthropic work, particularly in the education sector, where she uses her resources to provide education for those that are less fortunate. She believes education is indeed the key to success.
Read moreDoes your employee screening policy address cyber crime risks in your organisation?
by Jenny Reid
As cybercrime continues to surge in South Africa, the importance of effective employee screening to address this risk is paramount.
In 2024 alone, Interpol reported over 3,300 global cybercrime incidents affecting governments, banks, and the general public each week, reflecting a growing threat landscape. With cyber threats increasingly targeting organisations across South Africa, businesses must prioritise comprehensive screening processes to safeguard against potential breaches stemming from internal and external sources.
Read moreNavigating Geopolitical Shifts – The SME Perspective
by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA
The Inspiration: Seeing the Impact of Geopolitics Up Close
I had the privilege of attending NBA All-Star 2025 in the San Francisco Bay Area as a guest of NBA Africa. There I joined the annual Newsmaker Breakfast. The session discussion was moderated by journalist Stephanie Ruhle and featured media giants Tom Friedman, Rashida Jones, and David Brooks. It resonated deeply and Roland Martin and Michael Eric Dyson were in the room. However, it was the question "How does what is happening domestically in the U.S. reflect globally?"—posed during the Q&A—that struck me.
Read morePerformance Management: Aligning Processes with Business Goals to Drive Performance
by Dr Michélle Booysen
“Every process is an opportunity for performance improvement.” – Michael Hammer
Over the past ten blogs, we have explored how processes play a crucial role in delivering outstanding customer service. The next series shifts focus to how aligning processes with business goals drives performance, efficiency, and sustainable growth.
Read moreThink Like a Designer: Design Thinking for Legal Professionals
by Sonja Cilliers and Maryke Groenewald
The legal profession is facing an era of unprecedented change. Rapid technological advancements, evolving client expectations and increasing regulatory complexities demand that legal professionals adapt and innovate. Traditional legal problem-solving methods, while effective in many respects, can often be rigid and slow to respond to modern challenges. Design thinking, a human-centred, iterative approach to problem-solving, offers legal professionals a fresh perspective to enhance client service, improve efficiency, and drive meaningful innovation.
Read moreWhat we're loving this week
What we’re loving this week
In this week’s spotlight on all things Woman Made In Africa, we are showcasing Africa’s talented and innovative women entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable, quality products that discerning and impact-driven customers want to buy. Catching our attention this week are: Bio Óleos de Miombo (BOM), a sustainable skincare brand founded by Ana Alecia Lyman in Mozambique; Pichulik, a decade-old ethical jewellery atelier founded by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, based in Cape Town, South Africa; Ledikana, a high quality, contemporary clothing brand founded by Mapholo Ratau, based in South Africa; and the exciting sporting clothing brand for style-conscious cyclists, FiveStars Africa in Kenya, founded by Alice Kivuva.
Read moreLioness Launch / Cabinet International Kaizene launches new Bold4Growth professional development for women leaders
Lynda Aphing-Kouassi
Lioness Launch
Kaizene International was founded by Mrs. Lynda Aphing-Kouassi, a recognized leader committed to skills development and business transformation. Her experience and expertise have allowed her to build a strategic network of financial and institutional partners, significantly enhancing the impact of the programs deployed. Thanks to her vision and leadership, Kaizene International has become a key partner for businesses and institutions seeking growth and structured development.
Read moreAdelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, a Mozambican agribusiness entrepreneur focused on sustainable fish farming to create jobs
Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, founder, Indico Fish Farm (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie is the founder of Indico Fish Farm. EI in Mozambique, where she is currently setting up her Nile Tilapia Production and Processing Unit. She has a degree in Marine Biology from Eduardo Mondlane University and is currently studying for a Master's degree in Population and Development. Prior to starting her business, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Natural History Museum in the area of marine and aquatic animal collections and also as a Zootechnician at Machado Knowhow in the area of animal production. Her business plan, which focused on Nile Tilapia Production and Processing, was the winner of the Agora Emprega 2023 Program at the national level in Maputo Province.
Read moreAdeolu Adewumi-Zer, a purpose-driven strategy and management consulting specialist catalyzing transformative change across Africa
Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, Founder & CEO, ZER Consulting Africa (ZER) (Nigeria)
Startup Story
Adeolu Adewumi-Zer is a passionate Afro-optimist, seasoned global strategist, and the author of "Afro-Optimism Unleashed: Scaling African Excellence to the Global Stage." With nearly 25 years of experience spanning four continents, she now channels her expertise into empowering African leaders and businesses as the Founder & CEO of ZER Consulting Africa (ZER), a purpose-driven Pan-African strategy and management consulting firm founded in 2023 and with a workforce of 8 people. ZER partners with development agencies, investment funds, and social ventures, providing strategic guidance for SME growth through their proprietary SCALE framework. Adeolu is a dedicated advocate for Africa’s development, championing financial inclusion, gender equality, and quality education while serving on impactful boards and inspiring global audiences.
Read moreThe Whisper Way: The Secret Formula for Women Entrepreneurs to Scale and Sell for Life-Changing Money by Carrie Kerpen
Carrie Kerpen
Book Review
For all those women entrepreneurs who want to know how to scale and sell their businesses, serial entrepreneur and author, Carrie Kerpen’s new book, The Whisper Way, is a must-read. She has written a game-changing guide for women to turn their lifestyle businesses into sellable life-changing assets, closing the exit gap, and ensuring they earn as much as their male counterparts—if not more.
Read moreYou Are Enough: Embracing Your Worth and Owning Your Power by Margaret Hirsch
by Margaret Hirsch
As International Women’s Day has just passed, this one is for the ladies and its simple: you are enough. Too often, women doubt themselves, questioning whether they are good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. Society, pressure, and expectations can weigh us down, making us feel like we must constantly prove our worth. But today, I want to shift that mindset.
Read more