August is Women’s Month in South Africa and that means not only honouring the memory of 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to fight for equal rights, but also recognising those who are making a difference in society and rising up against all odds.
Women have come a long way in Africa. And while challenges will always be present, time and time again we continue to prove our strength and worth in society. Many make their success look effortless, when in reality they have faced countless obstacles, often failing more than once. The beauty lies not in their successes, but rather in their ability to pick themselves up and start again, always learning from the past. These are the women who inspire, who make a difference, and who will undoubtedly continue to live the ideals of those who marched to the buildings 65 years ago.
Take a look at 12 women who are making waves in Africa and let them inspire your next dream.
1. MABEL SUGLO: ECO SHOES
When Mabel saw how unfairly society treated those who are differently-abled, she approached a friend, and together they started Eco Shoes. The business uses waste like discarded tyres and recycled cloth to produce beautiful, useful items, like handbags and shoes. In 2015 she was the second runner-up of the Anzisha Prize which awards young entrepreneurs who have developed and implemented solutions to social challenges. Mabel Suglo from Ghana was just 21 years old when she was selected for the prize, proving that you’re never too young to make a difference.
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2. MOGAU SESHOENE: THE LAZY MAKOTI
Many know her as The Lazy Makoti who has a strong passion for making delicious food that’s also easy to make. When Mogau started giving her friend cooking lessons, she soon realised there was a gap in the market. These casual cooking lessons soon became a booming business that celebrates South African heritage and culture through food. Not only do these delicious meal ideas help women shine in the kitchen, but Mogau also sells branded kitchen accessories, cutlery, and stationery to complete the culinary journey. In 2016 she was named one of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30.
3. NTOMBENHLE KHATHWANE: AFRO BOTANICS
Two failed businesses were not enough to stop this ex-government worker from achieving her dreams. After dabbling in asphalt manufacturing and stationery production, Ntombenhle went back to the drawing board and won a business plan competition which gave her access to expert advice from industry experts. Fast forward to 2021 and she is the proud owner of Afro Botanics, an established range of hair care products that can be found at leading retailers.
4. AISHA PANDOR: SWEEPSOUTH
With money from pension funds and savings, Aisha Pandor who also won the 2011 South African Women in Science Award, started SweepSouth when she first struggled to find a domestic worker and discovered how unhappy women with agencies really were. Together with her husband, they started the SweepSouth app which now employs approximately 4000 women. Aisha hopes to expand into gardening, plumbing, and electrical services.
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5. KARABO MATHANG-TSHABUSE: P MANAGEMENT
When she was just 21 years old, Karabo saw a gap in the market when she saw there were very few soccer agents. She took the FIFA exam twice before becoming the first African FIFA-accredited agent. Karabo now represents numerous well-known players including sportsmen from Orlando Pirates and Banyana Banyana. Her accolades include being awarded Glamour Magazine’s 2016 Women of the Year Award and being recognised in BBC’s 100 Women Series in 2015.
6. NOZIPHO DUBE: ECOGIFT
Proof that it’s never too late to follow your passion, Nozipho, was 50-years-old when she started EcoGift. With very little business experience to her name and nothing but a few office basics, Nozipho set out to pursue her passion for sustainability by providing products that could reduce the workwear clothing’s contribution to landfills. In 2018 she won the Black Umbrellas award in the category for most jobs created and among others, was recognised as one the Most Promising Sustainable Start-ups by Tropics Magazine’s Changemakers Awards in the same year.
7. NNEILE NKHOLISE: iMED TECH GROUP
There’s a reason Nneile was named one of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 Technology list for 2018. This South African-born engineering graduate first hoped to transform healthcare in Africa and today, that’s exactly what she’s doing. As the founder of iMed Tech, her company provides innovative medical solutions across Africa. Nneile also hopes to use iMed Tech to provide opportunities for women.
Related article: The power of female friendships
8. KELEBOGILE MABUNDA: KLM PUBLICITY
When Kelebogile first decided that she was going to start KLM Publicity, she only had enough money to register her business. She moved back to her parent's home and worked from their living room. Many unsuccessful interviews passed by, but still, she refused to give up, until one day she received a message from someone in New York wanting a publicist. Kelebogile went on to work with many top brands including Kiernan Forbes (AKA).
9. REGINA LUKI KGATLE: EDUCADE
Founder and MD of Educade, Regina was always passionate about science and learning. At only 10 years old she won her first medal at the regional Eskom Young Science Expo which further motivated her to help her parents with their arcade business. As the MD of Educade, she focuses on building educational games and installing them in custom stand-up arcades that could be taken to South African schools. Private schools pay for access and a portion of their payment goes to the funding of installations and events at public schools.
10. NTSIKI BIYELA: FOUNDER OF ASLINA WINES
Born in a rural KwaZulu-Natal village, Ntsiki worked as a domestic worker for a year after matriculating. In 1999 she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking and many years later, in 2016 she founded Aslina Wines that distributes premium wines around the world! Ntsiki believes that it’s all about passion, excitement, and drive. She was awarded South Africa’s Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2009 and listed in the world’s top 10 Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink by Fortune’s Food & Drink.
11. SARAN KABA JONES: FACE AFRICA
Passionate about making living conditions better for those who live in the war-torn Sub-Saharan region, Saran’s non-profit organisation FACE AFRICA supplies clean water to remote communities in Liberia. Their aim is to create more than 200 wells in districts to help improve the communities health and well-being.
12. DR DIVINE NDHLUKUKA: SECURICO
Dr Divine Ndhlukuka first started her security business with four employees working at her home. Today she has a team of more than 3500, many of whom are women. Her business, Securico, is also one of the largest security companies in Zimbabwe, providing guarding services and state-of-the-art electronic security solutions. Her many accolades include Forbes Africa Business Woman of the Year and the winner of the Legatum Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, a prestigious award that recognises leading entrepreneurs in Africa.
There will always be challenges in everything you do, but what we can learn from these women, and many women around us, is that challenges are there to show us our true strength. Let these women inspire your next move.
Related article: Life lessons we can learn from 3 inspiring women
12 FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN AFRICA WHO MAKE US PROUD
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
August 13, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
August 13, 2021
Rating:
