Zebeline Ertance, an impact driven agribusiness builder in Madagascar

November 24, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Videeko Vanilla, a business growing and exporting the highest quality premium Vanilla in Madagascar and creating economic opportunities for local women

Zebeline Ertance is the founder and managing partner of Videeko Vanilla ZP in Madagascar. Videeko Vanilla is a licensed exporter in Madagascar that grows, cures, and exports premium vanilla beans from its farms, it’s family-owned farms, and its cooperative in the Mananara Madagascar. Videeko support the local community in Mananara by employing over 100 local families, specifically woman, with high paying wages. Zebeline founded Videeko in 2019 and now employs over 100 people, many of them women from local communities. She has 20 years of experience in the vanilla industry.

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, a Mozambican agribusiness entrepreneur focused on sustainable fish farming to create jobs

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Adelia Nicole Tique Massangaie, founder, Indico Fish Farm. EI (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.

Zaza Letsholo, a South African agripreneur building a business with community impact

September 29, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Zaza Letsholo, founder, ABM Farming Dreams (South Africa)

Startup Story

Zaza Letsholo is the founder of ABM Farming Dreams in South Africa. She is a passionate farmer and community builder specializing in livestock and dry bean production. Inspired by her late father, a dedicated farmer, Zaza grew up on a farm where she learned the values of hard work and resilience. In addition to her farming endeavours, she runs a safe haven for vulnerable individuals, including orphans. With over 12 years of experience in car sales, Zaza is also an award-winning top performer in her field. Her commitment to agriculture and community welfare reflects her desire to make a meaningful impact in her community.

Thekla Teunis, an impact driven investor transforming farmers’ lives

July 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Grounded Investment Company, an impact investment cooperative working with Africa’s farmers to help them transition to regenerative agriculture

As the co-founder of Grounded, Thekla Teunis brings a strategic edge to the company’s sustainable agri-business initiatives. Grounded Investment Company is an impact investment cooperative started in 2021, that concentrates on a key leverage point in the food system: the processing industry. After completing a Master of Mathematics, she went on to consult for McKinsey in Amsterdam. A cycling trip through Vietnam opened her eyes to the possibilities of farming in harmony with nature and in 2014 she moved to South Africa to pursue work in sustainable agriculture. Together with Gijs, Thekla drives investor relations and strategy for the Grounded Investment Company. She is now based in the Netherlands with her partner and young daughter.

Ifeyinwa Ogar, a Nigerian food processing and bundling entrepreneur

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekeneder Cover Story

Roki Foods Ltd, a food processing and bundling company offering affordable, nutritious, and convenient food bundles for middle-income earners in Nigeria

Ifeyinwa Ogar is the visionary founder of Roki Foods, a company dedicated to helping middle-income earners in Nigeria save money on grocery shopping. With a robust background in commercial banking, Ifeyinwa brings eight years of experience as a Relationship Manager and Branch Manager. Her academic achievements include a degree in Psychology and a diploma in Economics, which have equipped her with a deep understanding of human behaviour and economic principles.

Sabine Lydia Müller, an entrepreneur passionate about regenerative organic agriculture in Mozambique

June 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Sabine Lydia Müller, founder, Tchambalakate Comércio e Serviços Soc.Unip., Lda (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Sabine Lydia Müller is the founder of Tchambalakate Comércio e Serviços Soc.Unip., Lda in Mozambique. She is passionate about regenerative organic agriculture, agroforestry, Mozambique, and the decolonization of Africa. Through her self-employed work as consultant in Germany and Mozambique, her involvement in various publications, and in organic certifications, Sabine aims to share knowledge and best practices on how to improve the resilience and sustainability of food systems and ecosystems. She believes in the peaceful coexistence of nature and human beings, and strives to make a positive impact with her work. As a Communications Manager with over 17 years of experience in PR, social media, and brand marketing, Sabine leverages her skills and network to raise awareness and support for her clients’ projects and initiatives.

Claire Blanckenberg, a South African entrepreneur addressing food poverty

April 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Reel Gardening, an innovative business promoting sustainability and contributing towards solving the social and food crisis in South Africa.

Claire Blanckenberg is a visionary and natural-born entrepreneur from South Africa, and the co-founder of Reel Gardening. Her knack for simplifying processes and improving products was evident from a young age. At just 16, she revolutionized vegetable gardening with her invention, now known as Reel Gardening, streamlining the planting process with a patented method. Recognizing the logistical challenges hindering South Africa's future workforce, Claire took action. She developed the Siyaphambili Pre-Paid Taxi App, directly addressing the pressing issue of logistical poverty in the country. An esteemed figure in the field of social entrepreneurship, Claire frequently shares her insights at prestigious institutions like the Wits Business School and the Gordon Institute of Business Science in South Africa.

Rukssana Saide, transforming lives through agribusiness in Mozambique

March 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Dream Agrobusiness Lda, a high-impact business empowering local communities through an agri-value chain.

Rukssana Saide is the founder of Dream Agrobusiness Lda in Mozambique, an impact-driven business established in 2016 and employing 30 people. She balances life as a mother, woman, and entrepreneur. Rukssana has a degree in accounting and auditing and a master’s degree in business management, but with a passion for land and community. Throughout her professional career, Rukssana worked in financial areas, but it was her passion for agriculture where she felt the sense of contributing to transforming lives. Currently Rukssana works with the community and in the community looking for solutions for a prosperous future for future generations.

Forget Shareka, an award-winning agro-processing entrepreneur in Zimbabwe tackling post-harvest food waste

October 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Forget Shareka, founder, Chashi Foods (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Forget Shareka is the founder of Chashi Foods in Zimbabwe, and also a farmer, vibrant agronomic engineer, award-winning entrepreneur, environmental management, and sustainability professional. She is passionate about agribusiness, sustainable food systems, sustainability, community development, youth and women empowerment, and climate action. Her academic background is in agricultural sciences, entrepreneurship, and innovation. She is the founder and business development director for Chashi Foods, an agro-processing company committed to reducing postharvest and food losses in Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, she works in the Environmental, Social, and Governance field (ESG) in Telecommunications.

Nonopa Tenza, a South African agripreneur passionate about rural economic development and farming

October 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Nonopa Tenza, founder of Kevinot Farming (South Africa)

Startup Story

Nonopa Tenza is the founder of Kevinot Farming in South Africa - she is an accountant by training, and a seasoned finance and banking professional. She has fulfilled various roles in financial management, credit risk management, sales, and relationship management roles in SA’s blue-chip companies and has worked in SA and Scotland. In 2017, Nonopa founded Kevinot Farming as a side hustle whilst still in corporate. In 2021 she left a successful career in Corporate and Investment Banking to run the business on a full-time basis. Kevinot Farming is a business that farms in the deep rural Eastern Cape province of South Africa, and is a mixed farming business growing maize and beans and also farming sheep and cattle.

Victoria Mwafulirwa, a Malawian agripreneur empowering local out-growers

September 17, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Homes Industries Ltd, an impact creating agribusiness in Malawi generating economic opportunities for small-holder farmers

Victoria Mwafulirwa is an award winning agripreneur and the founder and Managing Director of Homes Industries Ltd, an agro-processing company located in Karonga District, in the northern region of Malawi. The company, which was established in March 2015, works with over 2500 smallholder farmers in an out-grower scheme that grows sunflower, rice and groundnuts. Homes Industries Ltd manufactures cold pressed sunflower oil and peanut flour (Nsinjiro). It also processes and packages brown and regular white Kilombero rice. Recently, Homes Industries Ltd added the ‘Homes Peanut Butter’ to its product line. The newly introduced nutritious peanut paste, aims at creating enjoyment for the whole family. The company employs 11 people.

Hadija Jabiri, an agripreneur empowering smallholder farmers in Tanzania

September 3, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Hadija Jabiri, founder & MD of GBRI Business Solutions (Tanzania)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

GBRI Business Solutions, on a mission to be a leading horticultural company in Tanzania.

Hadija Jabiri is the founder and MD of GBRI Business Solutions in Tanzania. She is an entrepreneur committed to making agricultural production a sustainable and profitable business through empowering smallholder farmers. Hadija is an IVLP alumnae and holder of multiple awards and nominations for her work and business which is making a real difference in people’s lives.

Emi-Beth Aku Quantson, a Ghanaian social entrepreneur creating impact through coffee

August 25, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Emi-Beth Aku Quantson, Founder & CEO, Kawa Moka Coffee Company (Ghana)

Startup Story

Emi-Beth Aku Quantson is the Founder, CEO and Chief Caffeination Officer at Kawa Moka Coffee Company, Ghana's leading social enterprise coffee company and roaster, where she drives investment and growth. She has raised over $200,000 in debt and equity investments; created over 250 jobs in coffee through farmer partnerships and employment of marginalized groups; and established Accra's largest roastery, supplying major supermarkets and cafes across the country and internationally. Emi-Beth has been recognized by the President of the Republic of Ghana, President Akuffo Addo. Prior to founding Kawa Moka in 2015, Emi-Beth worked as a tax consultant and transfer pricing expert at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Ghana and Kenya.

Rozelle Abramson, a South African agro-processing brand builder

August 20, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Fynbos Fine Foods, an agro-processor adding value by turning ethically grown South African produce into bottled, natural and vegan products

Rozelle Abramson, founder of Fynbos Fine Foods in South Africa, has always been passionate about food, creating recipes and loving layered flavours. She studied early childhood education, specializing in teaching children with learning difficulties. While teaching she worked for various catering companies on the weekends and in the holidays to supplement her income and to feed her passion for cooking and creating delicious food. In 1996, Cape Hot House Vegetables was formed. She began farming Greenhouse Coloured peppers. In that same year the business launched its first value-added product which was a Chilli Ginger Jam, made with red peppers which would have gone to the compost. Within a few years the business was farming for manufacturing! The rest is history! Today, the business employs 130 people.

Pauline Otila, a Kenyan apiculturist creating impact with bees

July 23, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Apiculture Venture Limited, a Kenyan social enterprise positively changing lives and food resilience through bee-keeping

Pauline Otila is a seasoned professional apiculturist and the founder of impact-driven social enterprise, Apiculture Venture Limited in Kenya. The business was founded in 2018, and today employs 19 full-time and 7 part-time people. She brings her strong working knowledge and over 18 years of experience in business operations in the modern beekeeping industry. She dared to venture into this male-dominated industry after 13 years of employment adopting the moniker, 'the Queen Bee'. She is passionate about enterprising in beekeeping and honey production. Through her business, Pauline extends her ambition as a socio-economic empowerment driver, particularly in the poverty stricken ASALs with high potential of honey production. Through her ‘Modern Beekeeping for Improved Livelihoods’ initiative, she aims at boosting household food resilience by reducing number of food insecure Kenyans.

Márcia Dima Jone, a Mozambican entrepreneur building an organic fertilizer business

June 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Márcia Dima Jone, founder, N’toko Organic Lda (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Márcia Dima Jone is the founder and owner of N’toko Organic Lda, a startup that collects and recovers waste. Currently, its focus is on composting for the production of organic fertilizer in order to promote the adoption of sustainable cultivation practices by gardeners and farmers and the reduction of the use of pesticides. N'toko has been committed to environmental education as one of the bets for promoting the Circular Economy, through the correct disposal of solid waste, its use and sustainability.

Sizolwenkosi Mazolo, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur building a value-add agro-processing business

May 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Sizolwenkosi Mazolo, founder, Ingcebethu Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe)

Startup Story

Sizolwenkosi Mazolo is the founder of Ingcebethu Pvt Ltd, a small business based in Zimbabwe and in the value addition agro-processing sector. Ingcebethu uses a 3-way model which is Freezing, Canning and Drying fruits and vegetables in the bid to reduce food waste, post-harvest losses, as well as to promote food security in Africa. Sizolwenkosi has been awarded a number of accolades for her work which include: 2022 JCI TOYP Honouree, Top 20 Young CEOs by CEO Roundtable Africa 2022, as well as the Record Breaker Young CEOs by Zimbabwe CEOs Network 2022 among others. She is a YALI RLC alumni and her business was in the top 10 finalists in the 2022 Eagles Nest Incubation program by Zimtrade. In line with her mission to address food security, Sizolwenkosi volunteers at The Mobi Soup Kitchen where approximately 600 children are fed every week at a squatter camp in Harare.

Dupe Killa-Kafidipe, an entrepreneur finding solutions to global food insecurity

May 21, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Platinum Fisheries, an ethical and sustainable B2B seafood production company in Nigeria

Dupe Killa-Kafidipe is the founder/ceo of Platinum Fisheries in Nigeria, which has a mission to produce healthy seafood using efficient, ethical and sustainable methods. Dupe is an award-winning business leader with prior C-Suite experience in process re-engineering, change management and business consulting. She is also an alumna of the Harvard Business School, IESE New York, the China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS) and INSEAD. Dupe once volunteered as Head of Strategy with a humanitarian intervention for children affected by conflicts in the North-East of Nigeria. Dupe’s life pursuit is to continue to be a force for good in all spheres of human interaction – business, social and environmental.

Award-winning Rio Largo Olive Estate launches its Tree to Table event on 14 May

May 10, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

If you are a fan of great olive oil and you want an unforgettable experience, then the place to be on 14 May (Mother’s Day) is the special Tree to Table event at the Rio Largo Olive Estate in South Africa’s Scherpenheuwel Valley, Breede River, Western Cape. Co-owners Brenda and Nick Wilkinson are celebrating their olive harvest and the growth of their multi-award winning brand of olive oil. This will be an event to remember, providing the chance for guests to experience the picking and processing of olives from the Rio Largo Olive Estate, and then a tasting of FRESH olive oil, together with a celebratory meal incorporating the finest Rio Largo Olive Oil. As Brenda says, you never forget the day you taste FRESH olive oil...ever!

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