the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Seno Namwandi
Names enable us to identify different people, places, countries and things. Birth certificates, title deeds or other legal arrangements often legitimatize these names. Similarly, business names enable us to identify one enterprise from another. Business names are legitimized through the intellectual property system called trademarks.
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Nthabi Taukobong
Nthabi Taukobong has had a career spanning over 23 years in the interior design industry working on esteemed residential and leisure projects for Presidents, African Royalty, top CEOs, South Africa’s 5 Star Hotel groups, and even the Governor of the Reserve Bank (to name but a few). In her book, The Real Interior, Nthabi reveals the truth about her journey in design and the pitfalls and challenging terrain she had to manoeuvre herself through, determined for a clearer, more forgiving way and understanding of her chosen field.
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Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)
Monica Musonda is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Java Foods, a food processing company based in Zambia. Monica's vision is to revolutionize the eating habits of the youth market by offering them affordable and nutritious food options made from local products. Monica is a dual-qualified English solicitor and Zambian advocate with over 15 years of experience in legal practice and corporate management, including being corporate counsel at the International Finance Corporation and for Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries Limited.
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Annette Cassy, founder of Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil (Mozambique)
When children get sick, they need the reassurance of a specialist, caring environment that gives them comfort, specialist care and advice, and understanding. In Mozambique, Kidz Kare Centro Médico Infanto-Juvenil, founded by entrepreneur Annette Cassy, does just that.
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Nthabiseng Dube, founder of Polish Management Services (South Africa)
Managing people and payroll for any size and type of business can be a challenge, but in South Africa, that is no longer the case. Entrepreneur Nthabiseng Dube, founder of Polish Management Services, is bringing her specialist HR expertise to add value and, importantly, find solutions for her clients. From Recruitment Solutions, Payroll Contract Management and Labour Relations, Polish Management Services is a go-to source of help and advice.
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by Thandekile Moloko, Wealth Coach & Wealth Manager
Scaling, which is also synonymous with economies of scale, is a business term which in its truest form means expansion. It is being able to be profitable when demand has increased for your services or goods. It is the ability to increase supply and still maintain or reduce costs. In scaling your business, you need to make sure that your expenses work for you and produce the ultimate profits.
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by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
Stuck in a financial rut? Maybe too much debt, too much retail therapy, too much of a people pleaser, too little money, or just not sure how to take control of it all? Financial freedom is within your grasp. By changing your outlook, you can change your life.
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by Laura Camacho
Working in the professional development and communication coaching world for over 20 years, it’s apparent that there are patterns of communication, and patterns of business success. I venture to say to there is more variety in the type of businesses that stay profitable, but they all manage to find and serve clients.
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Judy Robinett
Attracting funding for your startup as an entrepreneur is always tough, and for women entepreneurs in Africa, that’s particularly the case. Crack the Funding Code by Judy Robinett is a great new book that aims to demystify the world of angel investing, venture capital, and corporate funding, and lays out a strategic pathway for any entrepreneur to secure funding fast.
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Zodidi Gaseb, founder of African Naturals (Namibia)
Many women entrepreneurs are inspired to start their businesses as a result of trying to solve a particular problem or challenge as consumers. In the case of entrepreneur Zodidi Gaseb, her brand African Naturals, was created to find a natural but effective solution to great hair and skin health.
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Jacqueline Shaw, founder of Africa Fashion Guide
There are people in the world who are driven to make a difference and an impact in their chosen business sector, and entrepreneur Jacqueline Shaw is one of those who is making a big difference in Africa’s fashion and textile industry. With her Africa Fashion Guide, she is bringing the continent’s talented fashion and textile designers to the attention of global markets and buyers.
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by Yolanda Ndhlovu, founder of Essy Sandisiwe
“Noise is good if it's energising and supporting you doing your thing — if the market is cheering you on, and your voice is being heard, that's great noise. If it's music that sings it's way to your thing, that's noise you need.” — Lucy Loves Business
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by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko (South Africa)
Last year I decided to make my sister a long lasting birthday gift, something I believed she could keep for a long time. So I decided to get her a 100% leather bag set. I got this idea after seeing some leather items at a market one Saturday afternoon (done by a supplier from Bloemfontein with a long track record and equipment to produce and engrave). Their quality was amazing and I took their contact details. I had an idea to make her a weekend bag, a hand bag and a wallet. Then I would find a way to personalize it so she always knows it’s from her big sister.
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by Deborah Hartung founder of Pivot PeopleTech (South Africa)
I recently read an article about the increased levels of stress and anxiety being experienced by Millennials, especially, due to the fact that we are always ’on’ and always connected to absolutely everything that is happening in the world and at work.
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Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of SECURICO (Zimbabwe)
Divine Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services from humble beginnings in Zimbabwe in 1998. Divine identified a need in the market for a quality oriented security company and she has driven SECURICO to become the market leader in Zimbabwe. She has tackled a previously male-dominated industry head on and her business success story is nothing short of remarkable - marking her as one of Africa's most tenacious and inspiring women entrepreneurs.
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Magda Wierzycka, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sygnia Asset Management (South Africa)
Magda Wierzycka, founder & CEO, Sygnia Asset Management (South Africa)
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Jamilla and Fierdowsah Jacobs, founders of Kids Emporium Namibia
Every proud parent knows how exciting it is to shop for their children, but it is often hard to find just the right item of clothing or furniture that is both practical and trendy. In Windhoek, Namibia, two sister entrepreneurs have filled the gap with their beautiful retail store, Kids Emporium Namibia. It stocks a wealth of must-have products to suit the needs of babies and toddlers, whilst fulfilling the needs of moms and parents to be.
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DAISY Handmade Soap, the inspirational social entrepreneurship project in Mozambique that aims to empower people with skills to produce low cost hand-made soap by reusing ingredients and materials, to create jobs and protect the environment, is launching an exciting new product to add its popular range. The company’s new soap dish gift product is aligned with the company’s environmental awareness purpose. It is made of recycled coconut shell, handmade by Isaura, that accompanies the highly popular soaps made of coconut oil or recycled sunflower oil with citronella and lemongrass aroma. Each gift product is wrapped in cellophane bags (a plant based product which is also environmental friendly).
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Saba Tekle and Lelanie Basson
"20 Beautiful Women: 20 More Stories That Will Heal Your Soul, Ignite Your Passion And Inspire Your Divine Purpose" Africa Edition by Saba Tekle and Lelanie Basson is a collection of personal short stories from 20 more authors, speakers, and life coaches from all over the world who are bonding together for the common goal of sisterhood and to transform women from the inside-out.
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Petrina Auino-Mwandingi, founder of KOVA (Namibia)
Lovers of fine leather accessories in Namibia are now able to shop locally to buy beautifully designed and handcrafted handbags and other specialist products, thanks to the talented entrepreneur Petrina Auino-Mwandingi, founder of KOVA. She has created a premium leather accessory brand specially for the local Namibian market, and her customers are loving the end result.
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