Startup Story
Anneline Lucinda Lopis is the sole owner and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings started in 2016, based in Johannesburg and 60% shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of Smart House Afrika (SHA) Zambia Limited started in 2019 in Lusaka Zambia. A Mining and Minerals Consulting Firm. Her core business activities are mining and trading of various minerals, which drive her vision of growing small scale miners around Africa.
LoA spoke to founder Anneline Lucinda Lopis about her inspiring entrepreneurial journey and her dream to blaze a trail for women entrepreneurs in the mining sector.
What does your company do?
We are a mining-focused business group that empowers small-scale miners across Africa by providing:
Mining Development & Support - Works closely with small-scale miners to help them grow their operations; Offers business training and mentorship; Forms joint ventures to strengthen production capacity
Mineral Trading - Trades minerals such as gold, copper, iron ore, chrome, manganese, and many others on the international market; Facilitates export processes and compliance for small-scale producers; Buys and sells minerals both for its own account and on behalf of mining partners
Investment Linkages - Connects small-scale miners with local and international investors; Assists miners who want to sell their mining rights or attract capital; Acts as a trusted partner for foreign investors looking to enter the African mining sector
Project Facilitation & Mine Brokerage - Helps structure, negotiate, and facilitate mining deals; Provides access to vetted mining projects for acquisition or partnership
“Professionally it was a dream to become a successful female entrepreneur in mining—not just for myself, but to open doors for others.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Personally, it was a matter of death and life, fighting for the survival of myself and my children. Professionally it was a dream to become a successful female entrepreneur in mining—not just for myself, but to open doors for others. To leave positive footprints wherever I go. Not just to make money but to make a difference too. What started as a broker/commission earner on mineral trading transactions, ended up becoming the mother for small scale miners across Africa, in particular South Africa and Zambia and further expanding in to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Tanzania. It all started when I saw the challenges small scale miners are facing across the countries. I started this company with the aim of helping those that cannot help themselves.
What makes your business, service or product special?
What makes us truly unique is the deep trust we have built on the ground. We are seen as the mother figure for small scale miners, it’s not just about the money, but the fact that we care and we genuinely fight on behalf of the small scale miners in the mining economy. We are a lifeline for small-scale miners, a multi-service support under one roof. Miners come to us because they trust us, not just for business, but for guidance and support. This emotional connection sets us apart in an industry that often lacks empathy.
“As a black woman navigating a traditionally male-dominated space, I have faced deeply entrenched resistance, limited support structures, and financial constraints.”
Tell us a little about your team
The executive team consists of myself, my husband Shadreck Jere, Thamsanqa Mzamane and Jones Luwisha. Shadreck a Zambian citizen, who comes from a law background, in particular Detective Chief Inspector for the Zambia Police, plays a pivotal role in the company through his experience in law, vetting, and his vast national and international connections. With a Masters Degree in Project Management as well as several leadership roles within the communities, he has been the core of our Business Development Unit.
Thamsanqa is a South African multidisciplinary business leader with verified expertise in governance, strategic development, and sector-specific project management across infrastructure, education, construction, mining and the creative economy. A Leadership Mentor at the Skills Clinic, he oversees company growth and operations.
Jones Luwisha, a Zambian citizen, is an experienced mining executive and community leader with over a decade of active involvement in small scale mining sector. He ensures compliance with regulatory and environmental standard.
In South Africa we have 4 field agents and in Zambia 6. The task of the field agents is to go out in the field and recruit miners who are in search of our assistance. The field agents are however not permanent employed by us, but do work on commission basis for every successful project completed. Our key technical personnel consists of Geologist, Mining engineer and other mining personnel.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
The journey has not been easy, not at all. On many occasions I wanted to give up, but looking at the faces of my children has been my daily motivation. I have navigated this journey with no support from my family and not a coin to my name, and everyone thinking I have lost my mind (they still think I have lost my mind) and that it can’t be done because where I come from mining is known on television only. Separated from my children in pursuit of building this empire for them has been the hardest part of my journey - a soul taunting experience indeed. All I had was connections and my determination to make a success out of it. As a black woman navigating a traditionally male-dominated space, I have faced deeply entrenched resistance, limited support structures, and financial constraints. Yet, with unwavering support from my husband (also my business partner) and an unshakable belief in my mission, obstacles have been turned into stepping stones. I have not much of an entrepreneurial background. As a matter of fact, two days after my matric final exam in December 1996, I went straight into the job market. My first job was as a finance administrator for a college where I also managed to obtain my Business Diploma. My professional resume includes work experience with 19 different companies, across different business and industry sectors, and ranging from temporary to permanent positions including Procurement, Tender Administration, Sales and Marketing, Project Management and overall Administration. A law student drop out but with the results of undertaking a few other courses I did in business administration, tenders, etc, all I knew was how to serve, and that was and still is the foundation of my business.
“One of my goals is to establish a private mining fund to finance promising small-scale projects and provide working capital to miners who lack access to traditional funding channels.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To be Africa’s leading Small-Scale Mining Hub. To become a trusted partner for small-scale miners across the continent. To own as many mines as we can in order to use African resources and minerals within Africa for Africa. I plan to open regional training centres for small-scale miners, offering skills development in mineral processing, business management, sustainability, and compliance. These centres will also serve as safe spaces for women in mining. I want to attract long-term investors who share our vision for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable mining. To serve as a trusted entry point for international investors, providing access to vetted projects, co-investment opportunities, and structured deals. One of my goals is to establish a private mining fund to finance promising small-scale projects and provide working capital to miners who lack access to traditional funding channels. Above all, I want Smart House Afrika to be remembered as a movement that uplifted thousands of miners, created jobs, changed lives, and brought dignity to African resource owners. I pray and plan to reach a point where I can assist everyone who comes to me for help. Though resources are limited today, the vision is boundless. With unwavering faith, determination, and strategic partnerships, we are poised to shine even brighter in the years ahead.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Knowing that every effort put into the business is part of building MY empire. Seeing lives change because of the works I do. When a small-scale miner calls to say they’ve made their first international sale, or when someone tells me that, through our help, they’re able to send their children to school—that’s the reward that keeps me going. I don’t just run a business; I carry people’s dreams with me, and helping them succeed brings me a sense of purpose that no amount of money can replace.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start, even if you're scared. Use your challenges as fuel. Let every “no” strengthen your "yes." The journey won’t be easy, but it will be worth it, because every woman who rises makes it easier for the next one. Success is not about titles or trophies, it’s about impact, legacy, and lifting others as you rise.
Find out more
Email: lopisannelinej@gmail.com
Website: http://smarthouse-afrika.com
Why LoA loves it…
The entrepreneurial journey for so many women entrepreneurs in Africa is one filled with innumerable challenges requiring vast amounts of resilience and determination in order to succeed. Anneline Lucinda Lopis is an entrepreneur who demonstrates both of these traits in huge quantities and is a real trailblazer for other women to follow in what is a traditional tough, male dominated industry sector. Her vision is as big as her heart and her goals, and her determination to realize those goals is inspirational. A business to watch as it continues to grow and make an impact. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa