Lusanda Omelo, a South African digital marketing and AI automation business helping SMMEs establish their online presence

December 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lusanda Omelo, founder, findaiforthat (South Africa)

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.

Veronique-Chantelle Mew, a South African entrepreneur building a superior quality clothing brand tailored for tall women

December 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Veronique-Chantelle Mew, founder, Tall Story (South Africa)

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.

Nonceba Ndukula, a South African social entrepreneur with a vision to break the cycle of poverty and gender based violence

November 17, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Nonceba Ndukula, founder, Nabai Foundation (South Africa)

Nonceba Ndukula is the founder of Nabai Foundation in South Africa, a social impact organization with a vision to break the cycle of poverty and empower underserved communities through education. The foundation's Afternoon Enrichment Program, mentorship initiatives, and community projects reflect Nonceba’ s dedication to making a positive impact. She is a GBV-F Survivor, Coach, Business Administrator, Philanthropist and Mentor and an inspiring individual whose life journey has transformed adversity into a beacon of hope. As the founder of Nabai Foundation, Nonceba is a passionate advocate for education, community empowerment, and survivor support. Her personal experiences have fuelled her commitment to addressing the root causes of GBV-F and providing support to survivors. She is a Nominee of Sociopreneur of the Year 2023, Finalist in Women of Stature Awards, and a Nominee of Leading Women of Africa Awards.

Mmakgabo Dlomo, a South African entrepreneur building a natural hair care brand for women with afro-textured hair

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Mmakgabo Dlomo, founder, iNtombi (South Africa)

Mmakgabo Dlomo is the founder of iNtombi in South Africa, an all-natural hair care line dedicated to empowering women with afro-textured hair. With a background in psychology and communications, as well as extensive experience working in mental health in both the UK and South Africa, she has a deep understanding of people and their needs. Driven by her own journey of self-acceptance and motherhood, Mmakgabo created iNtombi in 2022 to provide nourishing, high-quality hair care solutions that promote a sense of pride and connection to one’s natural beauty. Her mission is to change the narrative around afro-textured hair, fostering a community where women celebrate their uniqueness and embrace their identities.

Cecilia Birkenstock, an eventing and hospitality leader in South Africa

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Bright Idea Projects 2100 T/A Function Foods - Thembela Venue, a leading hospitality company and unique event venue in South Africa

At Thembela Venue in South Africa, the philosophy that true growth comes from stepping out of the comfort zone and into challenges which inspires greatness, and it is this philosophy that drove founder, Cecilia Birkenstock, to pursue her lifelong dream - of creating a unique venue on the North coast in KZN in South Africa. Recognizing a need for exceptional event spaces in the area, she set out to fill this gap with elegance and innovation. Cecilia is the founder and CEO of Functionfoods, and brings three decades of experience in hospitality to her business. With this wealth of experience, Cecilia embarked on her most exciting venture yet - establishing Thembela Venue. Thembela Venue is the culmination of Cecilia's dream. Through her dedication, innovation and clear vision, she has transformed her dream into a reality. Patrons place their trust in Cecilia and her team, confident in their ability to turn dream weddings into stunning realities. Cecilia's commitment to excellence ensures that every celebration reflects her client's vision, making Thembela Venue the ideal choice for unforgettable experiences where dreams truly come to life. The business, which was launched in 2008 has created jobs for 30 people.

Lucricia Malunga, a South African entrepreneur passionate about bringing technology and IT skills to underprivileged communities

October 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lucricia Malunga, co-founder and ceo, J Brew Solutions (South Africa)

From a young age, Lucricia Malunga, the co-founder and ceo at J Brew Solutions in South Africa, has been passionate about transforming lives and building a business empire. Today, she is driven by a profound desire to create meaningful change and build a lasting business legacy. At just 16, she set out on a mission to establish a diverse portfolio of businesses that not only thrive across various industries but also make a positive impact on communities.

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)

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.

Bophelo Mohapi, a South African mobile spa business builder bringing beauty therapy directly to her clients

September 15, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Bophelo Leah Mohapi, founder, ChamomileSpaAndBeauty (South Africa)

Bophelo Leah Mohapi is the founder of ChamomileSpaAndBeauty in South Africa, a growing mobile beauty treatment spa. She is solely responsible for running her mobile spa but has a team of 17 therapists that she hooks up with for gigs. Bophelo also has 7 promoters helping her reach more clients as part of her growth journey. ChamomileSpaAndBeauty has been operating since 2015, originally as a side hustle. The business started operating under the name of ChamomileSpaAndBeauty in 2022 and was formally registered in 2024.

Brenda Hart, a South African entrepreneur realizing a dream of building a bespoke furniture design business

September 8, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Brenda Hart, founder, Soft&Co (South Africa)

For South African entrepreneur Brenda Hart, starting a bespoke furniture design business at the age of 50 is a bold and rewarding endeavour. As founder of Soft&Co, she draws on her extensive experience in interior design to create furniture that is both beautiful and meaningful. She says, “Soft&Co gives me a niche to concentrate on and a fresh channel for my enduring love for design. It’s not just a business to me, but a celebration of a life’s work and a testament to the power of following your dreams at any age.”

Olga Ncube, a South African facilities management business pioneer

August 25, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Kusile Facilities Management (Pty) Ltd, a specialist South African business providing hygienic workplaces to enhance productivity

Olga Ncube is the co-founder and ceo of Kusile Facilities Management, a facilities management company specializing in soft services and started in 2003. Today the business has 500 employees. Olga has been part of various entrepreneurial programmes, including the 10 000 Women hosted by Goldman Sachs together with GIBS. In the year, 2018 she was awarded the top award for the Best Performing Business and the Job Creation award. In the same year, her business was also awarded by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) for the Outstanding Accelerator client. Her passion for providing clean and hygienic environments is seen through her participation in attending the ISSA cleaning show that is hosted in the Netherlands every 2nd year.

Juanita Coetzee, a South African entrepreneur building a pioneering health tech company in The Netherlands

August 22, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Juanita Coetzee, Founder, JooL (The Netherlands)

Juanita Coetzee is the Founder of JooL, a pioneering health tech company launched in 2022 and dedicated to enhancing patient care through innovative digital solutions. Hailing from South Africa, Juanita brings a wealth of experience in healthcare management and technology integration. With a strong commitment to improving healthcare accessibility, she has successfully led JooL in developing platforms that bridge gaps between informal caregivers and access to healthcare information, resources and tools. Her leadership and vision are driving significant advancements in telemedicine and chronic disease management, making healthcare more efficient and inclusive for underserved populations.

Refilwe Sebothoma, a visionary entrepreneur combating energy poverty by making LPG accessible in marginalised communities

August 11, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Refilwe Sebothoma, founder, Hakem Energies (South Africa)

Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of Hakem Energies in South Africa, continues to grow as a visionary entrepreneur with proven business savvy and qualities. Harnessing her business acumen, she founded her businesses in monopolized industries and established them as high-growth start-ups which are highly recognized and are now medium and large businesses. Her purpose is about impacting and empowering the lives of ordinary people through her work because she believes that when individuals are empowered and self-sufficient, they can go back to their communities and replicate that impact. She loves to spend time mentoring, coaching, and sharing her journey with upcoming entrepreneurs as part of her paying it forward. The business has created jobs for 9 local people.

Rejane & Krissie Gwynne, two South African entrepreneurs building an ethical fashion brand celebrating African textiles

August 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Rejane Gwynne and Krissie Gwynne, co-founders, OYOO Style (South Africa)

Rejane Gwynne and partner Krissie Gwynne are co-founders of OYOO Style in South Africa, an ethical fashion and homeware range made from African textiles. The business supports skills development for local seamstresses, and also has a focus on sustainability with its no waste approach to production. The entrepreneurial pair met in the UK and after 16 years abroad they returned to South Africa to be closer to family and to explore the beautiful African continent. OYOO Style was created in 2021 and has 3 employees.

Dr Michélle Booysen, a South African entrepreneur providing businesses with specialist expertise to integrate change and improve performance

August 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Dr Michélle Booysen is the CEO of the Pétanque NXT Group, providing business leaders with the clarity to implement necessary changes swiftly and effectively, through its offices in South Africa and The Netherlands. Michélle is a consultant with over 35 years of experience spanning the legal profession and economics, driven by a passion for using enterprise as a catalyst for societal progress. She holds a PhD in Economics, a Bachelor of Law and Economics degree, and a multitude of other academic and practical application qualifications. Michélle specializes in integrating change and performance improvement by mapping and analyzing business processes. The business was founded in 2002 and today employs 17 people.

Ginette Blackbeard, a South African sustainable beauty brand builder with a passion for the circular economy

July 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Ginette Blackbeard, founder Enough. Upcycled Beauty-Health (South Africa)

Ginette Blackbeard, founder of ENOUGH. Upcycled Beauty-Health in South Africa, is harnessing her upbringing which instilled in her a profound respect for the environment and an unwavering commitment to minimizing waste. Her passion for the circular economy and sustainability inspired her to establish her business, driven by a belief in the essential shift towards circularity for the future of our planet. Ginette brings over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship across diverse sectors, from creative enterprises to manufacturing and engineering. She is also a co-founder of Emrin, a manufacturer of PLA filament, a biodegradable plant-based polymer.

Enid Katorobo Bashengezi, a South African financial and project management specialist consultancy builder

July 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Enid Katorobo Bashengezi, founder, EKB Consultants (South Africa)

With over 20 years of experience in accounting and project management, Enid Katorobo Bashengezi is the founder of EKB Consultants in South Africa. She is a seasoned professional specializing in leadership development, fiduciary assurance, and financial management across sectors, including decentralized systems. She is a Chartered Accountant (FCCA) and holds master’s degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Information Technology (MSc IT), alongside certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Personal Leadership Effectiveness Coach and Consultant.

Lusanda Omelo, a South African digital marketing and AI automation business helping SMMEs establish their online presence

July 21, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lusanda Omelo, Managing Director, Luome Brands (South Africa)

Lusanda Omelo is the Managing Director of Luome Brands, 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.

Vuyolwethu Reoagile, a South African communications agency with a passion for storytelling and digital innovation

July 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Vuyolwethu Reoagile, founder, RR Comms (South Africa)

Vuyolwethu Reoagile is the founder of RR Comms, an aspirational communications agency in South Africa. With a passion for storytelling and digital innovation, Vuyolwethu has built RR Comms into a dynamic team dedicated to delivering creative and strategic communications solutions. Her expertise spans business writing, digital campaign management, and paid ads management. The business has created jobs for 4 people.

Thato Schermer, a South African healthcare access champion

July 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Zoie Health Technologies, a digital health platform dedicated to making women's and family health & wellness in Africa more accessible

Thato Schermer is the co-founder of Zoie Health Technologies, a digital health platform dedicated to making women's and family health & wellness in Africa more accessible. She is a passionate young South African, enthralled by the possibilities for Africa's future. Thato is dedicated to business for the greater good, technology’s potential to solve problems in Africa, writing, and driving the cause of women’s empowerment. After completing her honours business degree at the University of Cape Town, alongside a Business French qualification from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and numerous international internships, she started her career as a management consultant at a global management consultancy. She worked predominantly in the digital practice, with her work spanning industries such as banking, infrastructure, and technology across regions including East Africa, Spain, Turkey, and Asia-Pacific.

Lerato Zulu, a South African entrepreneur building a growing cleaning product manufacturing business

July 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Lerato Zulu, founder, ChemWeb (South Africa)

Lerato Zulu is the founder of ChemWeb, a South African manufacturing business producing household and industrial cleaning detergents in accordance with the strictest Quality Management System as specified by ISO, thus ensuring consistent quality of the highest standard, while maintaining competitive prices. The company offers a wide range of cleaning products necessary for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of households, hospitals, learning institutions and essentially all environments of work.

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