Marta Vânia Uetela, a Mozambican entrepreneur changing the lives of amputees with her prostheses

September 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Marta Vânia Uetela, founder of BioMec (Mozambique)

Inspired to find a solution to the problem of 90% of amputees in Mozambique never getting access to prosthetic limbs to improve their lives, young entrepreneur Marta Vânia Uetela, founder of BioMec, came up with a plan. Today, she is changing lives through her innovations.

Grace Gichanga, a South African legal techpreneur transforming lives through the law

September 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Speak to Grace Gichanga, founder of Luma Law (South Africa), and she will tell you that she loves, loves, loves the law, because of its power to transform lives. As an attorney with over 10 years of experience, not surprisingly Grace has built a business which allows her to share her love of the law and how it works with the people of South Africa. The business was founded 2 years ago and LUMA the legal literacy chatbot officially went live on Facebook Messenger at the beginning of April 2020. Grace is committed to the vision of an empowered Africa through technology, innovation and the principles of social justice.

Nosisa Dhlomo, a South African entrepreneur on a mission to mobilize the country’s tech scene

September 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nosisa Dhlomo, founder of Afrizulu Tech (South Africa)

South Africa needs vibrant, bright young women with ideas and entrepreneurial ventures that have the potential to transform the economic landscape of the country and bring with it a wealth of opportunities. Nosisa Dhlomo, founder of Afrizulu Tech is one such pioneering woman entrepreneur. She believes in building African female leadership through industry platforms and hubs to produce more female leaders.

Marlese Wallis, a South African entrepreneur building a natural body product brand celebrating mother nature

September 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Marlese Wallis, founder of Mies Body Products (South Africa) — **Marlese Wallis**, founder of Mies Body Products (South Africa)

Marlese Wallis is the creator and vision carrier of MIES body products. She studied Drama at Pretoria Technicon in South Africa and pursued an awesome career as a performer in the first Afrikaans girl band called Shine 4. It was during this time that Marlese made the very first product and only after moving down to Cape Town from Johannesburg, did she pursue it as a career. Eleven years later and MIES is still growing and building business muscles! Marlese loves all things natural especially body care, loves people, giving them work, and loves the hustle of being an entrepreneur.

Bathabile Mpofu, a South African entrepreneur passionate about science education

September 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences (South Africa)

Many young learners in South Africa never get the chance to perform science experiments as part of their studies, and this means that few go on to study science as a possible future career. Entrepreneur Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, is on a mission to change that.

Sarah Morrow, a South African edupreneur creating an accessible, affordable preschool experience

September 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sarah Morrow, owner of Little Leaders Preschool (South Africa)

In South Africa, for many parents finding a preschool for their children to attend that is both accessible and affordable can be a hugely challenging experience, often with little reward. But one passionate, impact driven woman entrepreneur is changing that reality. Sarah Morrow, founder of Little Leaders Preschool is making quality, affordable preschool education available to parents and their children from all walks of life.

Ntokozo Mbuli, a South African entrepreneur developing television and film content with a purpose

August 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ntokozo Mbuli, founder of Sugar Bean Pictures (South Africa)

The media can be a powerful force for good and positive change, and television programmes and films are particularly impactful in educating, informing and entertaining people. In South Africa, Ntokozo Mbuli, the creative force behind television and film production company, Sugar Bean Pictures, is on a mission to develop powerful content with a purpose beyond just entertainment.

Hloki Raphuting, a South African manufacturer creating luxury shoes and handbags

August 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Hloki Raphuting, founder of PalmH (South Africa)

Who doesn’t love a beautifully crafted leather handbag or a stylish, eye-catching pair of leather shoes? In South Africa, entrepreneur Hloki Raphuting, founder of PalmH, is manufacturing high quality bags and shoes, all made from the finest leather, and for customers who want to look and feel good.

Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, an entrepreneur building a leading natural baby skincare brand in Nigeria

August 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care (Nigeria)

When you are a mother to triplets, you have first hand knowledge of just what babies need when it comes to natural skincare, and that is certainly the case with Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care. She has a big vision to be a leading natural baby skincare brand in Africa.

Tshegofatso Dludla, a South African techpreneur bringing maths and science to life for children

August 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tshegofatso Dludla, founder of RoboSTEAM Train (South Africa)

In a world where technology is changing so many aspects of our daily lives, it is so important that children get the opportunity to grasp and embrace maths and science at an early age. Tshegofatso Dludla, founder of RoboSTEAM Train in South Africa, is making a huge difference to the lives of underprivileged children in the country by making robotics and coding fun and accessible.

Elohor Thomas, a techpreneur in Nigeria passionate about helping African software engineers find dream jobs

August 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Elohor Thomas, co-founder of CodeLn (Nigeria)

Companies know how tough it can be to find the right tech hire, those highly trained and experienced software engineers from the African continent who are a good fit for the job. CodeLn, co-founded by techpreneur Elohor Thomas, is there to help. This specialist software company helps companies seamlessly find, test, and hire the right skilled African tech talent at the right time.

Lethumusa Kulube, a South African entrepreneur driving change through digital communication

August 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lethumusa Kulube, founder of Stractiv8 Impact (South Africa)

These days, digital communication has become the most powerful tool for any business to reach those all important customers and markets. But for many non-profit organisations, the process of building a digital communication strategy and tools can be overwhelming. In South Africa, entrepreneur Lethumusa Kulube, founder of Stractiv8 Impact, has the specialist solution and approach that is needed.

Tlangelani Nkuna, a South African entrepreneur with a passion for recruitment

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tlangelani Nkuna, founder of Placement Junxion (South Africa)

Any business knows that it is only as good as its people, but finding the right people can be challenging. In South Africa, entrepreneur Tlangelani Nkuna, founder of specialist recruitment services company, Placement Junxion, is bringing her expertise to any people sourcing brief.

Tessa O’ Halloran, a South Africa ecopreneur transforming plastic waste into lifestyle products

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tessa O’ Halloran, founder of plasticity. (South Africa)

Discarded plastic waste is a problem for the planet and for humankind as a whole, and the need to find sustainable solutions to transforming that waste into useful products has never been greater. In South Africa, ecopreneur Tessa O’ Halloran, founder of plasticity. is playing her part in finding those solutions.

Jackee Batanda, a creative entrepreneur educating through the power of writing

August 2, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Jackee Batanda, founder of SuccessSpark Brand Ltd (Uganda)

Great writing is an art form and in Uganda, entrepreneur Jackee Batanda, founder of SuccessSpark Brand Ltd, is harnessing the power of words to educate and inform. She understands how storytelling can reach audiences and customers in a unique and personal way.

Nondumiso Zendile, a South African woman in construction helping to urbanize previously disadvantaged areas

July 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nondumiso Zendile, founder of Kingsworth Civils and Construction Pty Ltd (South Africa)

In South Africa, the need for well constructed, affordable housing, commercial and industrial buildings has never been greater in terms of building a sustainable economy. For entrepreneur Nondumiso Zendile, owner and ceo of Kingsworth Civils and Construction Pty Ltd, her goal is to be part of the solution to meet such needs.

Stacey Jane Smith, a South African wellness brand using local wild-crafted botanicals

July 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Stacey Jane Smith, founder of African Secret (South Africa)

Many consumers are now looking for more holistic ways to meet their wellness needs. In South Africa, entrepreneur Stacey Jane Smith, founder of African Secret, has created a pathway to wellbeing naturally. She is harnessing the power of natural wild-crafted botanicals and transforming them into beautiful, healing products and a brand that resonates with those who love its ethos.

Josie Van Aswegen, a South African bespoke floral design entrepreneur taking creativity to the next level

July 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Josie Van Aswegen, owner of Fabulous Flowers (Cape Town, South Africa)

Every business has a heart – a core to its operations. The soul and drum beat to the golden thread that runs throughout the works. Fabulous Flowers would not be where it is today without the owner - Josie Van Aswegen. We had the privilege of catching up over the past week. And what a week! Her beautiful new studio in Toffie Lane, Claremont, South Africa, is a pleasure to visit and the creativity happening there is infectious.

Neo Mkwebane Chatyoka, an entrepreneur introducing the world to natural and organic skincare from Africa

July 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Neo Mkwebane Chatyoka, founder of Uhuru Botanicals (United Kingdom / South Africa)

More and more consumers are becoming conscious of the products they put onto their skins, and are demanding more natural and organic products that are kinder to both skin and the environment. Uhuru Botanicals, founded by entrepreneur Neo Chatyoka, is a brand that celebrates Africa’s natural raw ingredients and turns them into skincare products that are both ethical and sustainable.

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