Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Sunshine Cinema, Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network, bridging storytelling, activism and youth empowerment

Sydelle Willow Smith is a storyteller, impact producer, and co-founder of Sunshine Cinema—Africa’s first solar-powered mobile cinema network. A 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award finalist, Sydelle’s work bridges storytelling and activism, empowering youth in under-resourced communities to become media entrepreneurs and drive dialogue through film. With a background in African Studies and documentary filmmaking, she is passionate about reclaiming narrative spaces and amplifying voices from the margins.

Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Nondumiso Leshaba, co-founder, LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Nondumiso Leshaba is a distinguished Chartered Bookkeeper and the visionary Managing Director of LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd and BlueDenim (Pty) Ltd in South Africa. In both her companies, Nondumiso has been instrumental in shaping their strategic direction. Her dynamic skill set, which ranges from policy writing to graphic design, has enabled her to lead with a unique perspective. Nondumiso's ability to craft comprehensive policies ensures that both LemonSalt and BlueDenim operate with efficiency and compliance, while her flair for graphic design brings a creative edge to the company's branding and marketing efforts. LemonSalt (Pty) Ltd was established in 2019 and registered in 2020. BlueDenim was registered in 2025. The businesses employs 7 people.

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, an entrepreneur on a mission to grow small scale miners around the African continent

July 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Anneline Lucinda Lopis, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Smart House Afrika (SHA) South Africa Holdings

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.

Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder

June 28, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Babette's Bread Ltd, an artisanal bread baking specialist business founded in South Africa and now based in Canada

Babette Kourelos is the founder of Babette’s Bread Ltd. Today she lives in Saint-Lazare, Quebec with her husband, Vasili, their baby boy, John, and their two Smooth Fox Terriers, Tango and Cash. She was born in South Africa and is of Afrikaans, Greek, and Italian descent. She holds a BA and LLB degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. After graduating, Babette traveled to Vermont (USA), to apprentice under the late French Master Baker Gerard Rubaud. At the end of 2013, Babette founded and ran what became a well-loved artisan bread bakery and baking studio in Johannesburg (South Africa) for several years before relocating to Canada in 2020. Today, she offers online and in-person bread workshops. Babette has introduced hundreds of beginner bakers to the art of bread baking and has been featured in numerous media publications. She has been a guest speaker at several Women in Business events and was a judge at the World Bread Awards USA in Las Vegas in September 2022.

Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures

June 14, 2025 Melanie Hawken

SimWealth, a business on a mission to simplify the financial planning process and empower its clients in South Africa

Thandekile Moloko is a Financial Planner and the founder of Simwealth in South Africa, a business launched in 2019 and committed to helping individuals and businesses transform their financial future through clear, personalized, and practical financial planning. With a mission to make financial planning simple, accessible, and effective, Thandekile delivers tailored strategies that support long-term financial growth, security, and freedom. Whether you’re working towards personal financial milestones or navigating the financial complexities of running a business, her approach is grounded in creating actionable, sustainable plans that truly work. From managing day-to-day finances and preparing for life’s uncertainties to building generational wealth and achieving business scalability, Thandekile empowers her clients to make confident financial decisions. Her comprehensive planning process focuses on increasing net worth, protecting what matters most, and aligning financial strategies with your lifestyle and long-term goals.

Mbali Ndandani and Portia Nondo, two passionate ecosystem builders driving support for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands

June 11, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Portia Nondo and Mbali Ndandani, founders, Portia Nondo and Mbali Ndandani (South Africa)

Zettuu, a marketplace providing business support services for Africa’s crafters and fashion brands that have unique products but do not have the operational capacity to grow their brands. Zettuu was co-founded in 2020 by Portia Nondo and Mbali Ndandani, two South African entrepreneurs whose vision is to create a thriving ecosystem of support for African unique crafts, bringing them from the continent to the world’s customers. Portia is a seasoned entrepreneur and franchisee at McDonald's, and Mbali has worked in marketing, digital, technology and artificial intelligence at Unilever and Lelapa AI.

South African natural baby food producer, Pojupoju, launches innovative new range

June 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

South African serial entrepreneur, Dorothy Dolly Fatima Mofomme, founder of natural baby food producer, Pojupoju, has launched a brand new range of delicious and nutritious purees - with a twist. Each puree is packaged in a pouch, capped with minicap/anti-choke lids that can also be repurposed as children’s creative building blocks.

Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs

June 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Jacqueléne Coetzer, founder & CEO, Jacqueléne Global Consulting (JGC) (South Africa)

Jacqueléne Coetzer is the founder and CEO of Jacqueléne Global Consulting (JGC) — a pan-African business advisory and trade firm founded in 2022, specializing in strategic consulting, commodities, medical diagnostics, and cross-border market access. A former diplomat with 14 years’ experience, she now leads high-level negotiations and sourcing across Africa in sectors including medical diagnostics, metals, fuel, and mining. Through exclusive distribution mandates and deal structuring, she is helping shape Africa’s economic future. Fiercely resilient and values-driven, Jacqueléne empowers African women entrepreneurs to rise, scale, and lead — because she believes Africa’s wealth should be built by Africans, for Africans.

Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow

June 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

TL Seretlo Business Consulting t/a Seretlo Consulting, a professional business consulting firm supporting SMEs in South Africa

Teboho Seretlo is a business consultant and founder of TL Seretlo Business Consulting in South Africa, with over 25 years’ experience in enterprise development, business planning, monitoring & evaluation, and mentoring SMEs. She supports entrepreneurs applying for funding and serves as an NSFAS student accommodation accreditor. Her expertise spans B-BBEE, rural development, and gender-responsive enterprise support. Teboho holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and executive education from GIBS and Rotterdam School of Management. Passionate about women’s empowerment, she also mentors female entrepreneurs across Africa.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s IWDS, launches impact-driven initiative to create sleeping bags from waste fabrics, turning waste into hope for the homeless

May 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Colleen Deetlefs, founder, IWDS (South Africa)

South African social entrepreneur, Colleen Deetlefs, is passionate about creating awareness of the state of our environment through the renewing of different waste materials and shifting the global economy through the rejuvenation of waste. Her latest initiative, IWDS, is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to fostering sustainability and economic empowerment. Through its work, it strives to offer more than just a solution for waste - it is helping to build a future where creativity, sustainability, and community-driven progress go hand in hand. IWDS is committed to transforming waste into opportunity by upskilling individuals, fostering creativity and promoting sustainability. In a world where waste is abundant and unemployment hovers at 35%, IWDS’s mission is to upskill individuals using repurposed waste materials. With winter now in full swing in South Africa, IWDS has identified a dire need for sleeping bags with a carry bag for the 16000 homeless people in Durban alone. Through upskilling, IWDS is on a mission to create sleeping bags from waste fabrics-turning waste into hope-to those who need it most.

Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa

May 18, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, founders, BST Global (South Africa)

Suné Theisinger is the ceo of BST Global in South Africa, a dynamic player in the rapidly evolving aesthetic industry. As the ceo of BST Global, Suné is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the business. Dr Juanri Jonck is a qualified medical doctor with a degree from the University of Pretoria and is the Medical Director of BST Global. Dr Jonck leads with a deep commitment to hormone optimisation, evidence-based aesthetic medicine, and holistic wellness.

Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand

May 17, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Tania Kabeya, founder, Chef La Tania (South Africa)

Tania Kabeya is the founder of Chef La Tania, the South African culinary brand known for its rich African flavour and elegant presentation and founded in 2019. She is a passionate chef and entrepreneur and has built a reputation for delivery a range of catering services, including celebration cakes, private dinners, frozen meals, and food delivery. Tania finds purpose in creating meaningful experiences, honouring her heritage, and growing a brand built on passion, excellence, and purpose-driven living. She shares a deep bond with her siblings and draws strength from her faith and role as a mother.

Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach

May 17, 2025 Melanie Hawken

The UnLearners, a South African personal and professional development company that helps individuals and organizations thrive through change.

Zanele Njapha is the CEO of The UnLearners and a leading voice on transformation, unlearning, and future-fit leadership. Known as The UnLearning Lady, she helps individuals and organizations navigate change with courage and clarity. A former teacher turned global keynote speaker and coach, Zanele equips people to let go of limiting beliefs and step boldly into what’s next. Her work is a rallying call to learn, change and grow, fearlessly.

Lioness Launch / South African advanced ingestible skincare brand, Lumelastin, launches new anti-ageing elastin supplement to help women reclaim skin elasticity

May 11, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Maritha Broschk, founder, Lumelastin (South Africa)

Lumelastin, founded by Maritha Broschk, and based in South Africa, has developed a range of advanced ingestible skincare products rooted in science and designed to restore skin health from within. It’s flagship product, Lumelastin Skin Reverse, is an anti-ageing elastin powder supplement designed to help women reclaim skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and support joints, hair, and vascular health. This first-of-its-kind ingestible elastin supplement, is clinically proven to deliver significant anti-ageing effects such as smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin. By adding one scoop a day of Lumelastin Skin Reverse to your coffee, smoothie, fruit juice or any other beverage of choice, hot or cold, you should start seeing results within a month.

Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy

May 11, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Aasiyah Adams, founder, Abaguquli4IR (South Africa)

Aasiyah Adams is the founder of Abaguquli4IR in South Africa, a business focused on empowering individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy by equipping them with cutting-edge technology skills and practical digital tools. The business’s mission is to unlock economic opportunities for those traditionally left behind—closing the gap by providing future-ready skills, access, and support. Launched in 2020, the business has created jobs for 6 people.

Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow

May 11, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Komeshni Patrick, founder and director, ZellaTech Law (South Africa)

Komeshni Patrick is the founder and director of ZellaTech Law, a tech legal consultancy in South Africa founded in 2022 and focused on empowering tech businesses across Africa. An admitted attorney with over 20 years of experience, she’s worked with multinational corporates, public sector and international tech clients across Africa and the Middle East. Passionate about innovation, championing women in tech and advising on regulatory compliance, emerging innovation, digital policy, privacy and data protection. She participates on several boards and fora driving inclusive digital development. Komeshni mentors tech entrepreneurs, contributes to local and international incubation programs and women in tech initiatives, internet governance and digital transformation. Her business has created jobs for 5 people to date.

Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain

May 2, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Lebo Biko, co-founder, Oya Foods (South Africa)

Lebo Biko is the co-founder of Oya Foods, part of Oya Group, which champions women-led innovation in the agri-food value chain. Founded in 2020, Oya Foods produces African-inspired, shelf-stable dried foods using ingredients primarily sourced from women farmers and suppliers. The company’s mission is to reduce food waste and modernize indigenous food systems. With over 25 years of experience in strategy, marketing, and governance, Lebo is passionate about sustainability, inclusive growth, and driving meaningful change. Through Oya Group, she is helping build a future where women thrive, African food culture is celebrated, and innovation transforms food systems.

Valecia Sambo, a pioneering sustainable water management business builder empowering local communities in South Africa

April 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Valecia Sambo, founder, Daily Sambo Services (South Africa)

Valecia Sambo is the visionary founder of Daily Sambo Services, a South African-based company revolutionizing sustainable water solutions. With a proven track record as a seasoned entrepreneur, Valecia's business has been making waves in the industry since its inception in 2023. As a pioneering plumber, Valecia is breaking barriers in the male-dominated construction and plumbing sectors. Her commitment to empowering local communities is evident in her business, which employs seven individuals, including women from the surrounding areas.

Inez Ferreira, an entrepreneur building a one-stop-shop for property solutions in South Africa

April 13, 2025 Melanie Hawken

Inez Ferreira, founder, IF Property Solutions (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Inez Ferreira is the founder of IF Property Solutions (Pty) Ltd in South Africa, a business with over 75 years of combined experience, and a trusted partner for all property-related services. This expert team excels in everything from building plans and town planning to architecture, engineering, and sectional title management, with clients’ glowing feedback speaking to the company’s commitment to excellence and quality. Inez launched the business in 2024, creating jobs for 8 people.

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.