by Yolanda Isabel Langa
Sustainable businesses are essential in our communities, balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility. Each choice can have a significant impact on the environment.
Read moreOlubukola Abitoye, an entrepreneur creating a one-stop-shop for value in wealth creation and management in Nigeria
Olubukola Abitoye, Managing Director and CEO, Digital Space Capital (Nigeria)
Startup Story
Olubukola Abitoye is the Managing Director and CEO of Digital Space Capital in Nigeria, a comprehensive financial services provider covering Investment Banking, Asset Management, Insurance, Micro Banking, and Fintech, with her own digital savings solution app, Digikolo. The business launched in 2020 and today employs 104 people. Olubukola is a highly accomplished finance professional with a wealth of experience in the banking and finance industry. She is also the CEO of WeBrandIt Limited and the owner of Eco Cleaning Services Limited.
Read morePearl Tsheko, a leader in graphic design and creative print ideas for businesses in Botswana
Pearl Tsheko, founder and ceo, Black Fabrick (Botswana)
Startup Story
Pearl Tsheko is the founder and ceo of Black Fabrick in Botswana. Through her company, she provides high-quality business imaging, marketing, and branding services, catering to a diverse clientele ranging from startups to multinational corporations.
Read moreOakantse Alfred, an elite property development entrepreneur in Botswana
Oakantse Alfred
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Oakantse Alfred is a well-seasoned businesswoman, serial entrepreneur, speaker, and consultant. With a career spanning as far back as her college days she has established an elite Real Estate company in Botswana, LesediLebone Property Developers, where she is currently the CEO. LesediLebone Property Developers was founded in 2011 and has 70 employees at maximum capacity. Oakantse also later established her consultancy, Brand OA, in a quest to share her knowledge with other aspiring business owners. She currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Certificate in Real Estate.
Read moreBe the Go-To: How to Own Your Competitive Market, Charge More, and Have Customers Love You For It by Theresa M. Līna
Theresa M. Līna
Book Review
In her book, Be the Go-To: How to Own Your Competitive Market, Charge More, and Have Customers Love You For It, author, thought-leader and strategist, Theresa M. Līna reveals a groundbreaking, step-by-step approach called the Apollo Method for Market Dominance. It’s a detailed, pragmatic recipe for becoming your market’s Go-To brand, brought to life through fascinating, behind-the-scenes stories from the Apollo Space Program, Tesla, Disney, Apple, Lego, Salesforce, Amazon, REI, and more.
Read moreWill It Take a Tragedy Before You Ensure Your Suppliers Or Staff Are Industry Compliant?
by Jenny Reid
Earlier this year, on 6 May, we all listened in horror as radio stations across the country let us know about a building that had collapsed and 81 people were stuck in the rubble. Awful updates were constantly received with people being unaccounted for, being rushed to hospital in severe condition, or dying. There were allegations that the owner of the building wished to add a storey to the building that the foundations were not built for and that the construction crew allowed and encouraged the cleaning ladies to mix cement for use in the multi-storey building.
Read moreDeveloping Communication Campaigns that cut Across Borders in Africa
by Thembe Khumalo
We’ve probably transcended the “Africa is not a country” conversation by now. At least I hope we have. We now know that each country and region in Africa is rich with unique languages, symbols, and traditions, which form the foundation of effective PR campaigns. When communicating across the diverse cultural landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa therefore, it's essential to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach will not resonate.
Read moreBurnout - is it real?
by Margaret Hirsch
Burnout is now a buzzword but what is it actually? My philosophy is that if you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life and you will never have burnout. Burnout to me is not being able to cope with your workload. Why don’t people cope?
Read moreUnderstanding Crowdfunding
by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw
Crowdfunding has emerged as a popular method for individuals and businesses to raise funds for various causes, projects, or ventures. Each type of crowdfunding caters to different needs, offering unique opportunities and obligations for fundraisers and investors alike.
Read moreThe Integrated Entrepreneur: Actualize Your Potential and Fulfill Your Purpose by Raeanne Lacatena
Raeanne Lacatena
Book Review
Embark on a transformative journey with Raeanne Lacatena, author of The Integrated Entrepreneur, where you will discover that entrepreneurship is a personal development plan, brilliantly disguised as a financial opportunity. Her new book combines poignant insights with practical exercises to inspire entrepreneurs to embrace purpose-driven business ownership through the depths of self-transcendence, and through themes such as integration, abundance mindset, and releasing limiting beliefs.
Read moreWhy Wait to Dismiss Staff For Employee Fraud When An Effective Employee Screening Policy Can Save Millions?
by Jenny Reid
Employee fraud, previously called Insider fraud refers to when an employee of your company lies or steals from the company, this could refer to stealing money, maliciously taking access to company assets, or even workplace recognition. Any kind of fraud can negatively affect a company, but employee fraud is becoming a bigger concern than it has been in the past.
Read moreDon't Think a Degree Guarantees You Work
by Sasha Knott
South Africa is facing an unemployment crisis, but there is much you can do to secure a job. South Africa is grappling with a significant challenge to economic growth: the shortage of critical skills, even basic ones such as crafting effective CVs. With a high unemployment rate and growing demand for specialised expertise, collaboration among students, educational institutions, and public-private partnerships is essential to bridging this skills gap.
Read moreHow Brand Strategy Can Empower Non-Profits
by Thembe Khumalo
Over the past seven years, we've loved working with nonprofits across various critical impact areas; from human rights and gender equality to environmental and civil protection. One thing we've consistently noticed is that while these organisations are passionate and dedicated, many don't fully grasp the transformative power of a well-crafted brand strategy. The truth is strategic branding and communication aren't just for commercial businesses — they're vital tools that can amplify a nonprofit's impact and help fulfill its mission more effectively.
Read moreHow Multigenerational Teams Drive Growth
by Margaret Hirsch
My boss is 27, why is that so strange? Mostly because I am 74 and have been my own boss for the past 45 years. What made me do this, the law! I qualified as a Realtor in Florida but the law states that you have to work for a broker for two years before you can start your own business. I thought I would battle to get a job but to my surprise I have been offered over 250 jobs! That was really amazing. I didn’t even have to go for the interview, I would have the job if I wanted it. After sifting through most of the offers, I narrowed it down to 3, the biggest company in the USA, a boutique smaller company and then a brand-new company run by a 27 year old.
Read moreYou can’t pour from an empty cup
by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
Written on a Thursday when the weight of the week of putting out fires and being dragged into the weeds of a mass of issues, has built up on our shoulders (and neck, oh those tight neck muscles!), is not lessened by the realisation that the weekend that seems so close will just bring 48 hours of catch-up rather than deep and fulfilling sleep.
Read moreLucricia Malunga, a South African entrepreneur passionate about bringing technology and IT skills to underprivileged communities
Lucricia Malunga, co-founder and ceo, J Brew Solutions (South Africa)
Startup Story
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.
Read moreDiana Dwamena, a telehealth and digital transformation company creating access to quality healthcare in Ghana and UK
Diana Dwamena, founder and CEO, Mahiri-Telehealth Limited (Ghana/UK)
Startup Story
Diana Dwamena is the founder and CEO of Mahiri-Telehealth Limited, a telehealth and digital transformation company founded in 2014, employing 11 people, and headquartered in the UK. She was an original board member of the Healthcare Federation of Ghana (2017 – 2022) and part of the Telehealth Stakeholder Group setup by Ghana Health Services (GHS) in 2015. Diana is a trailblazing strategist and tech-savvy innovator who has been shaping the digital transformation landscape for over two decades. With her impressive track record of pioneering impactful technology solutions. In August 2023, Diana was featured in a Lionesses of Africa’ Startup Story for another of her companies in the digital learning and EdTech space, The Learning Nuggets Company Limited.
Read moreGenet Kebede, a pioneering Ethiopian fashion & textile brand builder
Genet Kebede
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Paradise Fashion, a business celebrating Ethiopia’s proud hand-woven textile heritage and creating sustainable employment for local craftspeople
Genet Kebede, founder of Paradise Fashion, was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From a young age, she loved fashion and the rich Ethiopian textiles she found in her own culture, yet she appreciated the inspiration coming from other countries and specifically the rich design heritage of Italy. In pursuit of her dreams, she took the opportunity to study fashion design and garment construction in Italy and then Argentina. However, Genet always knew she would return to her home. Living through the significant political disruptions that led to near famine for much of Ethiopia during her childhood, she believed she had an opportunity to contribute to her country. She wanted to help the many people, particularly women, she saw in difficult circumstances in her city. She also wanted to share the beauty of her country’s rich weaving traditions with the world.
Read moreThe Invisible Backbone of Africa’s Economy: Women’s Unpaid Labour
by Daphney Klopper
In Africa, women’s unpaid labour is a powerful yet often overlooked force driving the economy. This essential work includes caregiving, household chores, and community support. The ILO (International Labour Organisation) and one.org Africa estimates Women’s unpaid work to be at 10% -39% of a countries GDP. To put this into perspective, this contribution is more than three times that of the South African agricultural sector (2.83%) and rivals the industrial sector (24.68%) Stats SA 2023.
Read moreThe Importance of Elevating Marketing Governance on the Board Agenda
by Bella Ikeme
In the fast-paced business world, where strategies evolve and markets transform, the significance of brand marketing cannot be overstated. A recent study by the Marketing Science Institute underlines the profound impact of effective marketing governance on overall business performance, emphasising the strategic importance of the board's oversight on marketing matters. The study revealed that boards with at least one marketing-experienced director witnessed a three-percentage point increase in total shareholder return. Their "outside-in" perspective complements the internal operational focus of typical board members. The invaluable "been there, done that" perspective these directors offer on rebranding initiatives, strategic partnerships, and customer insights adds a layer of depth to board discussions.
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