Seipati Masango: Passion that transcends into business
[bctt tweet=”@seipatimasango a.k.a Miss Gates shares her passion and beauty secrets here” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Seipati Masango is a 29 year old lady from South Africa currently working in the construction industry. Seipati also owns and manages a beauty product line company called Organic Touch by Miss Gates. Informally known as Miss Gates, Seipati Masango is very loud, crazy “in a good way”, enthusiastic and optimistic. Her passions are not limited to business as she is also politically active and passionate about social development through her work as an African National Congress (ANC) volunteer. What are you most passionate about? I am passionate about people and what they have to offer. Also, I am passionate about beauty and how we as a nation are different and from different cultures. I think that we do not focus on how rich in inner and outer beauty we are as a country. We tend to shy away and do not appreciate the features we have as people, because we care about the ones we are complimented on. What inspired you to start your skin care brand Organic Touch By Miss Gates? This is so funny because, growing up I have always been very inquisitive about everything. Years later, I started using different products especially when seasons changed, because my skin texture would change too. I tried different methods in order to get it soft and smooth again, (using Colgate toothpaste for pimples, egg yolk for texture etc). I used to mix different products to make my own hair mousse to repair my hairline, and loved to use coconut oil on my face as a moisturiser and body. In August, I decided to post on social media the difference these methods made to my skin. I ended up receiving a great response and messages in my inbox for orders. [bctt tweet=”@seipatimasango registered a company before finally finding her passion in making beauty products” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Then two lady friends of mine Nonkululeko and Mzikazi asked why I was sitting on a gold mine and doing nothing about it. They both know I am passionate about beauty. From that point, I started researching about organic homemade beauty products because I did not want to use any chemically affiliated products. And the rest is history. I must say, it was draining and time consuming at first. I was cash strapped too ,but it all turned out well. Months prior, I had registered a company not knowing what to do, but I finally found my passion. Tell me about your work as a clothing brand ambassador for plus size women? I never thought I would be a plus size model. I had actually never heard of big women being models, but the world changes. We see an evolution where plus size clothing ranges find space in the fashion industry. [bctt tweet=”I never thought I would be a plus size model – Seipati Masango” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I was approached by Pinky Mokgoasane owner of Street Chic, who asked me if I would be interested in being a model for her plus size range. She told me that I would look ravishing in “vintage-inspired wear”, so I gave it a try. Street Chic’s Pinky Clothing Range has attracted so many plus size women who love dressing up. Street Chic’s clients always say to the owner, “if Seipati can rock it so can we”. I don’t regret making the decision to model for Pinky. It has changed me, many woman send me messages telling me how I have inspired them to appreciate their weight. I always say that dressing up for your body type and size will make you feel good and confident. What is the main thing you think women should celebrate about themselves? Mainly, it’s their inner beauty as it is one of the most attractive characters in a woman. Being confident about yourself and loving the person that you are, will easily show on the outside. I have always been a big girl. Growing up, people would tell me how fat I was compared to the last time they saw me, and that would really hurt. I had to grow tough skin towards cyber bullies and negative people. I used to try these yoyo diets and go to the gym just to go back to the woman I was, it never worked. [bctt tweet=”Women across the world should adore their curves, love and squeeze them. Yaaas @seipatimasango!” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] This year, I had a health hazard that required that I make healthier choices because my cholesterol was too high. I made the decision to eat healthier and lose a few kilos, not because of a bully but for a conscious decision I made for my life. I lost 15 kg and now I wear size 40 and happily love my curves, and body. Women across the world should adore their curves, love and squeeze them. They should look in the mirror and just say, “I am beautiful”! They should wear that swimsuit without fear. Stretch marks and cellulite are there but they do not define who you are, or what you have become. Just be you and love yourself. Do you think that there is immense pressure for women in South Africa to look and behave in a certain way? How can we change the social pressures on women? A South Africa “radio personality” recently bashed Noma Khumalo, winner of SA Idols 2016, saying Noma is not idol material because of her weight and that the entertainment industry will not accept her. I was furious —and still am, that we live in such a hypocritical society that refuses to accept how different we are. South Africa is a country rich in heritage and history, and we need to become ourselves. We do not need to conform to mainstream norms and social perceptions of how one should behave or look. We should appreciate what everyone brings to society. Also, we need to understand that women are nurturers and caregivers and they should
Christine Sesay: Africa’s Moneypreneur
[bctt tweet=”Christine Sesay: Most Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs are struggling to survive, this lead to the idea of Africa’s Moneypreneur” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] She won’t say money is her hobby but Christine Sesay enjoys advising people on finances. Christine is the founder and CEO of Africa’s Moneyprenuer, a financial education platform created to help make discussing money and finances easy and fun. With a background in accounting, Christine Sesay has always done some accounting —even when she wasn’t working in the field. Her professional interests have taken her across the African continent, Christine has lived in Niger among other countries. However, her career isn’t limited to finances, Christine also works with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation, an opportunity that arose during the Ebola epidemic in 2014. Why did you decide to study accounting? Like most high school graduates, there is the insecurity of being unsure of what one wants to do. I started taking an accounting course and enjoyed the different aspects of the course. From that point, I continued to pursue accounting and financial courses in school. I still work in the accounting field, I am in charge of operations in the organization I work and I am responsible for the finance department. Do you feel your careers have always been linked to your degree in accounting? Yes, in my current job I am responsible for all monthly financial accounts as well as final yearly accounts. In past jobs where I was not responsible for day-to-day running of the finance department, I have had budgets that I was expected to manage. Let’s talk about your time in Niamey, Niger. How was life for you as an African living in another African country? What sort of cultural barriers did you have to navigate? I enjoyed my time in Niamey. I have lived in other African countries while growing up and therefore it was no strange idea to move to Niger. So, I am used to living in different places and I adjust quickly to my environment. I found the environment quiet which suited my personality. It was a place ideal for doing my other hobbies such as arts and craft. Niamey had a few spots to hang out and most of the time we had curfews, so I had to find a form of entertainment that was workable. Niamey provided a lot of time I needed to quickly concentrate on communicating better in French but also to grow in my career. What was your main motivation to study French? I have a grandparent who is of Senegalese origin so it somewhere in my lineage. But also, I had a parent that worked in an environment that required the language. Therefore it was an easy motivation for me. How did you come to start working with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation? During the Ebola outbreak, a lot of foreign agencies came to help Sierra Leone and they all had different ways of doing things. The Ministry of Health was unable to determine the best course of action for the country. In the midst of other job offers outside Sierra Leone, I chose the job that avails me the opportunity to work with Ministry and assist with system thus strengthening it. [bctt tweet=”Christine Sesay: With the Ebola epidemic, I was determined to help in whatever way I could” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Why was it not an option for you to leave Sierra Leone when Ebola struck? Sierra Leone is my home. I was devastated to see how things had become within a short period of time with the disease infiltrating the country. Leaving the country at this time, would have been the easy way out. But then, what would I say to my children in the future? I was not in Sierra Leone for the war, and was much younger to make a decision to help. With the Ebola, I was determined to help in whatever way I could. [bctt tweet=”Christine Sesay: In the midst of other job offers outside Sierra Leone, I chose to work with the Ministry of Health” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Why did you start Africa’s Moneypreneur? In what ways can discussing money and finances be fun? While working in private sector, I would talk to small groups of women about their finances and advice on taxation issues. However, due to the demands of my job at the time, I could not continue. In 2015, I watched a lot of families leave Sierra Leone. This was mostly the middle class who could afford to leave Sierra Leone due to Ebola. Therefore, we have a very broken economy once again. Most entrepreneurs are struggling to survive, seeing this, the idea of Africa’s Moneypreneur was born. It is platform that teaches others how to implement effective financial strategies that support the lifestyle they aspire and deserve. For this reason, I am keen to talk to people on their money and finances. Would you say money is your hobby? Advising on finances is one of my hobbies. I also enjoy doing arts and crafts, especially making greeting cards. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Ruth Mwanzia: I grew up in a region that faced many challenges with water
[bctt tweet=”Ruth Mwanzia started @KoolaWaters to address water challenges” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Ruth Mwanzia is making it rain…well not literally. She grew up in Kitui, a semi-arid region in Kenya that often faces water scarcity and drought. Being a #MotherlandMogul in the making, Ruth decided to start her own water bottling company, Koola waters. Koola waters manufactures, distributes, treats and packages water. As a child of her community, Ruth is also involved in several corporate social responsibility (CSR) ventures in Kitui, as well as other parts of Kenya. Read on to learn what it takes to enter the water manufacturing business. Why did you decide to enter a business in manufacturing, distribution, treatment and packaging of drinking water? I wanted to make a difference in my community. Having grown up in Kitui, a region in Kenya that experiences semi-arid type of climate, we faced many challenges to do with water; water scarcity, drought and water shortages. After I graduated from campus, I asked myself what I could do to address this situation. Thus, Koola waters was born. Koola is a company that specializes in manufacturing, distribution, treatment and packaging of pure drinking water. Through Koola waters, we supply water to eight regions in Kenya including Kitui. What do you think of the water manufacturing industry in Kenya? What makes Koola waters stand out from the rest? It’s a competitive field and it’s a fast-growing industry. Why we stand out, first all our water is very sweet because its UV treated and well micro-filtered. Koola water goes through seven stages of filtration. Second, we care about the community and we are involved in many CSR activities. Third is our unique packaging, the customer and the community are always at our heart. How are you making impact in the community? We are making an impact in the community by engaging in various community activities to give back. We do lots of tree planting activities in Kitui, mentorship activities across different universities in Kenya, work with several Kenyan charities and we also support a local football team in Kenya. What particular challenges have you found offering employment to other young people? Lack of experience, but through regular training they are able to gain the experience for the job. Lack of stability: Many of the young employees have no clear vision of their careers. They join a company and once they find another good opportunity they will switch. This is always a huge loss to the organization. Discipline issues: Not all, but most of them, are unaware of work culture environment. They do not turn up on time, they do not strictly follow the HR rules. Many of young employees try to take leaves more than they are provided with. This is a question of discipline. Yet above all this, I love working with young people. Through mentorship, education and training, they are able to gain the skills required for the job What different marketing strategies have you used to promote Koola waters? Koola waters employ different marketing strategies; We work with main stream media, where we do features so people are able to know what we do We also do digital marketing, we are very active in social media Finally, we engage in content marketing and brand publishing [bctt tweet=”Ruth Mwanzia – The water manufacturing industry in Kenya is competitive and fast-growing” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Are there any challenges unique to your industry that you’ve discovered? Small-scale bottled water companies are often confronted with price wars that erode profit margins and at times even lead to losses. There is also the effect from regulatory-related constraints. For example, increases in the import duty of plastic pellets and the ongoing hot topic of the regulation on the management of water resources. Cost structure, which is dominated by the cost of plastic packaging and distribution costs. This has made our industry quite sensitive to fluctuations in the exchange rate. The industry is heavily reliant on imported plastic, raw materials and gasoline. Competition from well established brands in the market. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Monalisa Molefe: Buy into a business that you can connect your passion to
[bctt tweet=”@Lisa_Molefe bought a 17 year old business rather than start her own from scratch” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] In an era where the media has ramped up the encouragement directed towards the young entrepreneurs, one millennial, Monalisa Molefe, found herself in largely uncharted territory when she made the decision to buy a business. In September 2016, Monalisa took the plunge and assumed ownership of an already existing business, Art Form Factory. At 26, she is now the youngest, black, female owner of a framing business in South Africa. Having previously worked in the luxury branding space, Monalisa had no prior knowledge on the complexities of the art framing world. What she did have was the foresight to spot and seize a good opportunity when it presented itself. Monalisa Molefe had a passion for luxury branding which she envisioned bringing to the art framing world. She had a zeal and dedication, rare for many women her age. Lucky for her, Monalisa also has the support of a mother who has always encouraged her to dream big. Monalisa’s mother taught her to realize that once she decides to take a chance on something, she had better be prepared to go all in and not consider failure an option. To find out exactly what drives this phenomenal young woman, SLA contributor, Uloma Ogba, caught up with Monalisa on a Sunday. This interview took place while Monalisa was present at her factory and in between business strategy sessions. Prior to buying the Artform Factory you had a successful career in Marketing and had worked for some top luxury brands in SA. What motivated you to trade in your cushy, secure job to buy a business and take over its operations? I’ve always known I would be an entrepreneur. As I took on my career path I realized I had a lot to learn. So, instead of graduating and rushing into opening my own business, I took the route of gaining knowledge of the business world and the operations of large firms by working for them. The knowledge one picks up from that is something that a textbook cannot teach. At the time I was introduced to Artform Factory in early 2016, I was working for a luxury brand. My move wasn’t so much because I was frustrated at work, it was more about the fact that I believe that opportunities are timed It’s not everyday that you hear a story of someone like myself who was offered the chance to buy a business. The framing factory has been running for the past 17 years and it was previously owned by a Polish lady who started in the interior industry helping people frame for their houses and offices. [bctt tweet=”Monalisa Molefe had no prior knowledge on the complexities of the framing world” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The previous owner and my mother had a mutual friend who brought the opportunity to my mother’s attention. My mother, who already had a lot on her plate at the time, then introduced me to company. For the Polish lady, selling her business wasn’t just about a monetary transaction. She wanted to make sure that the new owner would be the right fit for the business. She wanted someone who would take the business to greater heights. What she told me was that there is a gap in the market and no one was really owning it. If I came in and commanded the space, I would have plenty of opportunities. This was because a lot of corporates were looking to work with business that met certain criteria in terms ownership and service offering. After my initial meeting with her, I did my homework to ascertain the viability of the business. I wanted to some clarity on what to do with the business if I had to take over. Luckily, the business has had an impressive track record. This included owning exclusive rights to sell limited edition, official Brazil 2014 world cup soccer match balls in South Africa,. The previous owner also introduced the concept of the Mandela memorabilia which has been a major attraction for South Africans and people from all over the world. I have a background in brand building and management and I’ve spent the last couple of years submerging myself in the luxury industry. My plan is to take the business to the next level and to turn something as simple as framing into a luxury business. At the factory, we frame under two categories. One is wall décor such as mirrors and art pieces. We also frame sports memorabilia to basically preserve “the greatest moments in sports”. The way I see it, you could just go to the supermarket and buy ready-made frames or you could come to the Artform Factory and get a custom-made frame tailored to your specific style and preferences. That in itself is the essence of luxury to me. [bctt tweet=”Monalisa Molefe took the route of gaining knowledge of the business world by working for them ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What would be your advice to other women thinking of embarking on the same venture. Is there something you wish you had known before going in? The experience has definitely met, and even exceeded my expectations. First of all, I was very fortunate because I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My mother has had many businesses. Growing up, I had watched her open up and close down several businesses. So when it came to my current venture, I’ve used her as a guide in terms of what to do and what not to do. I am lucky to have had my mother who is a seasoned professional and entrepreneur to guide me. She has helped me ensure that the processes and the transaction were done professionally. My mother also advised me regarding any laws dealing with change of ownership in the business. She, as well as my mentors, have drilled into me the importance of business accounts. Business accounts are a good indicator of the success
Anelisa Kasper: I’m responsible for my own growth in my field
[bctt tweet=”@lisakaspero is a business analyst & passionate about growing start-ups as well as herself” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] It’s time for you to meet one of the people that make the SLA website run smoothly. We’re talking about our contributors who selflessly share their writing with us. Anelisa Kasper is an IT consultant but she’s taught us about mentorship, handling conflict in start-ups and mastering the art of public speaking. Her area of expertise is business analysis and her focus is growth. Anelisa Kasper has dipped her toes in both the corporate and start-up worlds, and she aims to inspire young people in both worlds. Would you say you chose to be a business analyst or that the profession chose you? I was lucky enough to choose to become a business analyst. After I finished my honours degree, and having had extensive exposure to Information Systems, I was unsure which career path I wanted to pursue. When I graduated, there wasn’t as much information about the profession as there is now, so I wasn’t sure what the business analyst profession entailed. When I joined the company I currently work for, I made sure to express that I wanted to pursue business analysis as my career. Because I had just come out of university, the company was very supportive with my decision even though it was not in the technical part of IT. How do you plan to grow in your field? For me, growth will come from more experience. Over the years, I’ve seen how broad the business analysis profession is and have come to realise that you can’t get all that experience in one year (unless you’re exposed to different projects at a short space of time!) Since I started as a BA, I’ve wanted some sort of guideline on how to grow. I understood that the progression was from junior level, to intermediate, to senior, then principle level. All those levels have underlying skills that I need to work towards for my role. I do research on what skills one needs to have for all levels, and I usually set goals to achieve certain things according to that information each year. [bctt tweet=”For me, growth will come from more experience – Anelisa Kasper ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] When I started as a junior almost 3 years ago, I can safely say I didn’t know much about my role. Fortunately, I was part of a major project and that gave me great exposure to what it means to be a business analyst in the field. After 2 years and a promotion later, I evaluated what I needed to improve on with my skills. I spoke to my line manager about getting more process analysis experience, a month later I was in a process analysis project. In the end, I’m responsible for my own growth in the BA field. It’s important to know your areas of growth, and what will make you more marketable if you want to stay in that field, or even move to a new one. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen gaps, spoken up, and received opportunities for immediate experience. Of course, I’ve also had cases where my company couldn’t accommodate the growth I needed at the time. In those cases, I’ve made a way for my own growth by looking for those experiences myself outside of my company. What advice will you give other women looking to be business analysts? Do your research and make sure that it’s what you want to do, as with any career. Because this field is part of the ICT industry, we need more women in the business analysis field. Most people study a degree in the IT space and become business analysts after graduating. I have also come across many people in the field who do not have an ICT background. So if you want to be a BA, do your research. Join forums that bring many people together to discuss everything business analysis. This opens up a world of information; engage in those forums and ask questions. How do you think being involved in other industries will grow your expertise? Which industries are you interested in? Why? It grows your experience. As a business analyst, you want to be able to get into any industry and work towards providing a solution that will make the business more sustainable. The BA field has its underlying principles that you can use in any industry, but within an industry, most companies face similar challenges. Working across industries and companies means I’ve been exposed to both structured and unstructured environments. The broad work experience has allowed me to gain experience in the telecommunications, electrical and canopy cleaning and banking industries and all those work differently, which makes the work fun. Some industries are more challenging than others, and it also depends on the scale of the company you’re doing BA work for. I choose consulting because I enjoy being on different projects. For example, 6 months consulting for one of SA’s top banks, then leaving to help a family business in the electrical and canopy cleaning industry. This allows me to be exposed to completely different people, processes and technologies/products. [bctt tweet=”It’s important to know your areas of growth, find where you’re lacking and speak up @lisakaspero” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What advice will you give to a start-up looking to develop long-term solutions? For start-ups looking to develop long-term solutions, it’s important to constantly be aware of trending technologies; as well as understanding them and how they will benefit your start-up. We live in a digitized world, where technology has taken over how we do things. For instance, at the tech incubator and accelerator I was part of, our entrepreneurs were able to use cutting edge technologies to assist them in the long-term. We helped them do research on these technologies so that they could better utilise them and in some instances, build start-ups around them. Tell us about your personal project portfolio. How have you
Trish Lewis: I’ve always been obsessed with businesses that solve problems
[bctt tweet=”Trish Lewis: Launching Heritage Box has been the ultimate expression of me following my dreams” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] History doesn’t always stay in the past and for Trish “Manyoni” Lewis, heritage is a means to profit-earning. Trish Lewis is the founder of Heritage Box, a business that delivers snippets from African-American and African history to eager children each month. Her business has been featured in Essence Magazine, ABC News and BlackNews.com to name a few. Through Heritage Box, Trish is helping black parents raise children that are knowledgeable of their rich African heritage. Believe it or not, this thriving business is Trish’s first attempt. Trish is a firm believer of start first, improve later. Keep reading to find out how Trish Lewis has kept her business from failing. What was the idea that sparked Heritage Box? I have always been fascinated, no, actually obsessed with businesses that arise to solve problems. I knew I wanted to start a business that solved a problem I had, that had true impact and was in my field of passion. The idea truly fell on my lap. My then 8 year old daughter made a remark that all they had done for Black History month was colour a picture of Dr Martin Luther King. I was shocked that this was the extent of their black history education. But more importantly, I felt as a parent, it was my responsibility to share this history with her. My husband and I regularly visit my native country Zimbabwe with our children. However, teaching them more about Africa was something we were not being consistent about. Given this problem, or “exposed gap” in our home education, we knew as parents we had to be more intentional and consistent. [bctt tweet=”Trish Lewis: I felt as a parent, it was my responsibility to share black history with my daughter” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] We examined the reasons we were not consistent and realized that the busyness of school activities, being working parents and the children’s extra-curricular activities were preventing us from devoting the time we knew was necessary to teach our children about their African heritage. We spoke to a number of other parents and realized we were not the only ones with a desire to correct this. The “how” was easy, our kids love getting mail! I had a literal light bulb moment when they received a package in their name and were so excited to open it and let everyone in the family know. I figured, why not package fun lessons and activities on African American history, African history and geography as a gift in the mail? How does one make a business while celebrating heritage? I think at its core, every business is influenced by the owner/founder’s heritage. The extent to which they show it may be different. At some point or another, I believe we all ask the question, “Who am I?” The answer to this question normally involves an analysis of one’s lineage and heritage. I think our business helps a lot of parents who are in the process of getting to the core of who they really are. These parents care about their children having the same foundational knowledge and pride. The key as a business built on celebrating heritage is to make yourself visible to those who share the same vision and to stay grounded in your purpose. [bctt tweet=”Trish Lewis: I think at its core, every business is influenced by the owner/founder’s heritage” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] When would you say you took a chance and followed through in your dreams? I would say by far launching Heritage Box has been the ultimate expression of me following my dreams. Even at a young age, growing up in Zimbabwe, I always dreamt about owning and running my own business. My academic strengths were in Mathematics and the sciences, so societal pressures had me focus on a career in the sciences. It was more “secure”, and I felt I was “wasting” my talent by pursuing something else. I came to the United States and pursued a degree in biology and subsequently had a great career in the medical field. [bctt tweet=”Trish Lewis: I realized that my career would never offer me the one thing I defined as success” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] However, after my husband and I started having children, I realized that my career would never offer me the one thing I defined as success; freedom of time. The life I envisioned after the career had set off was one of enjoying quality, present time with my husband and children. The freedom to visit my family in Zimbabwe frequently, and the ability to support or build an orphanage in Zimbabwe. Deep down, I knew that my childhood dream of entrepreneurship was the key to my ideal life becoming a possibility. With this conviction, I began to seriously consider starting a business. How were you able to build your business without any prior experience and escape the failure that affects many start-ups? The key for me was, this was a business I believed in with every core of my being. It was something I saw as having an impact not only to my children, but to families all across the Diaspora and to parents adopting African or African-American children. Through early surveys, I had received a resounding “Yes , we need this” and this carried me through. It fuelled me as I read voraciously on the ins and outs of starting a business. It emboldened me as I started building relationships with other entrepreneurs and learning from them. Above all it kept me going whenever self-doubt would start to kick in. I believe that clarity drives results. If you can get clear on why you would like to build that particular business, your how will naturally be a sustainable one. And naturally is adopting the mentality that failure is not an option. I didn’t even consider failure. I would say you have to commit to fighting for this dream, even to the
Salha Kaitesi: Many of our traditions and stories have been lost
[bctt tweet=”Salha Kaitesi of @ElleAfrique shares her advice on starting a blogzine. It’s not so hard!” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Salha Kaitesi is a social entrepreneur currently managing two projects: Beauty of Rwanda, a not-for-profit organisation that economically empowers women and girls in Rwanda; and ElleAfrique, a blogzine dedicated to challenging the perceptions of African girls and women in the world today. The blogzine features writers and wide-ranging topics from across Africa, providing a space for African women to empower and celebrate one another and unite through their stories. How does ElleAfrique stand out in comparison to other lifestyle magazines that target African women? ElleAfrique stands out for several reasons but what truly makes it special is that it’s a platform dedicated to the everyday African woman. Most of our contributors are not “professional” bloggers/writers, they’re just everyday women with a story to tell and wisdom to share. ElleAfrique bloggers are university students, stay at home mums, professionals and everything in between. Our blogzine also covers a range of topics, from the negative effects of the war in Burundi to the latest fashion trends in Cameroon, and span the entire continent because we have gathered women from many different parts of Africa and given them a voice through our platform. The special ingredient to our success is our contributors. What’s the most difficult aspect of running an online website in an age where advertising money is hard to come by and entry barriers are low? Starting a blog has never been easier. What’s important is uniqueness because there are thousands of blogs out there. Attracting new readers with fresh content while maintaining our current readership has been vital to the success of ElleAfrique. It’s a constant balancing act. Constantly monitoring the performance of the blog has been key to keeping on top of things. I have an amazing management group of women that work with me. The blog would not be what it is today without them (and those who share their stories, of course). ElleAfrique is successful because of the entire group. [bctt tweet=”@ElleAfrique is a platform dedicated to telling the stories of the everyday African woman ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Are there stories about African women begging to be told that no one is telling but should? I believe the stories of our mothers and grandmothers are absent in magazines and media in general. However, they are important because these matriarchs, through their life experiences, have shaped today’s African woman. Through modernization, civilisation and the mass exodus of many towards the “Western world”, many of our traditions and stories have been lost. Writing and reading about them will strengthen our connection to our past and bring greater perspective to our present. What’s your advice to anyone starting an online African magazine? Having a unique niche is great, but even if that niche is already being covered elsewhere you can always turn your model into something that is still appealing to future readers. Starting an online magazine isn’t as hard as you might think, but you must be prepared to work really hard. Your small idea can become a household name! When I started ElleAfrique, it was being managed by someone else because I knew nothing about blogging. But I took the time to learn about web design and building a blog. Knowledge of online marketing was also an advantage and an important area to be familiar with. [bctt tweet=”Salha Kaitesi – What’s important is uniqueness because there are thousands of blogs out there” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What does the future hold for ElleAfrique? The African woman is multifaceted, multitalented and multicultural and it is because of this that we want all of her represented. I think the best way to achieve this is to have at least one contributor from each country in Africa. We want to attract brands that cater to African women and to be a bridge for businesses to reach their target market. Ultimately, our mission is to change the narrative about the African woman, and who better to do this than the everyday African women, living on the continent or in the diaspora. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Yeniva Sisay-Sogbeh: You have a rare gift to share with the world
[bctt tweet=”Yeniva Sisay-Sogbeh of @EXCEL_SL is passionate about Sierra Leone with her leadership” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Picture a fully rebuilt Sierra Leone where every citizen has fulfilled their potential. Yeniva Sisay-Sogbeh is trying to make that a reality. A consultant and value creator, Yeniva is bringing change to her country through education and youth development. For Yeniva, what she does isn’t just a job. As a consultant, her goal is to create value for her clients and inspire people to expand their horizons. Yeniva also does this with her experience in youth development, she’s spent over 18 years in that sector. You call yourself a value creator, what does this mean? As a consultant, facilitation is at the heart of what I do. My work is to help programs, products, and people expand. I approach my work from a creative manner. What that means is throughout my career I have worked in education, training and development, marketing, facilitation and business development. These are very diverse experiences. I love what I do and I don’t just consider it just a job. In any one of my consultancy assignments, I have my goal to create value for my clients. By way of growth, capacity development, increase in sales, brand recognition, visibility or whatever the assignment may be, I show up to create and deliver value. The twist to being a consultant is you are with each client for a specific amount of time. It can be anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 years, so you have to be focused on the value creation you bring to the table in that set amount of time. [bctt tweet=”@iamyeniva – I teach to inspire people, especially young people to expand their horizons.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Tell us about starting EXCEL Sierra Leone, what were the particular challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? I first began my work in youth development over 18 years ago. As a beneficiary of after school programs, I know the value of the life lessons I learned inside and outside of the classroom. Founded in 2007, EXCEL Sierra Leone (Educational Excellence, Community, Empowerment, Leadership —a community based organization CBO) has endeavoured to reach some of the most promising young people in Sierra Leone to participate in collaborative educational enrichment activities, programs and support services. EXCEL seeks to pioneer the transformation of the education system in Sierra Leone in order to develop a culture of academic excellence. This transformation focuses on empowering the next generation to become leaders, creatives, innovators, thinkers, and change-makers who are not only inspired, but in action to re-define Sierra Leone. We envision a Sierra Leone where everyone has an opportunity to fulfil their potential and achieve educational excellence. Running an organization comes along with many challenges, from staffing to keeping overheads low. I would say our biggest challenge however is finding the funding needed to support our programs and services. Many grants are focused on primary schools, girls child education etc, which are very important causes. However, I find that there are few geared towards secondary school students. We have had to remain creative, finding alternative ways of raising funds inside and outside of Sierra Leone. I have been determined not to allow these challenges to derail or discourage the team. We remain optimistic and seek assistance through partnerships and mentoring from other experienced organizations. What motivates you everyday? Getting up everyday and setting out towards my goal of and doing the work I love and enjoy. Knowing the work I do in the community, private sector or development; impacts my community and my country. That is powerful. I am also motivated by the shift that is happening on the continent and how people in the world see, view and respect Africa. That makes me proud and I am motivated to contribute to the shift. [bctt tweet=”Yeniva Sisay-Sogbeh: We envision a Sierra Leone where everyone can fulfil their potential” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Your mantra is “I teach to revive the heartbeat of a generation gone numb”, tell us the story behind this Being an educator is my passion. I teach to awaken the possibility that is in each of us. There is so much happening in the world and we see our youth growing up way before their time due to a variety of circumstances. I teach to inspire people, especially young people to expand their horizons. To revive the heart beat and thirst for change through education and excellence. My greatest wish is to see all of the young people I encounter #EXCEL. You’ve appeared in the documentary, “Am I too African to be American or too American to be African”, can you share how this experience was like? This was a dream come true. Being a first generation African in America, we have a unique experience and story to tell. It seems as though we have heard the Jewish- American, Asian-American, Latino- American story but never our own. It was such an honour to share my perspective and my story as a part of the cast. I think it is imperative that African women tell their own stories and through this film, I have been able to contribute to the discourse around what it means to be a part of both worlds. It is something I wanted to do for a long time so I am grateful for the opportunity. It has been awesome connecting with others just like me all across the world! Why do you think you were awarded the Young Fem-Leader at the Illumessence National Women Awards (INWA)? I was humbled by this great honour. To be recognized amongst some of the most powerful and inspirational women in my country blew me away. I have been a catalyst of many movements which advance opportunities for changing the narrative of the Sierra Leoenan’s especially woman and girls. As the founder of EXCEL Sierra Leone, many young people from the program have gone on to attend some of the best universities all over the world. As
Esther Mahlangu: It is my passion to transfer this skill to the generations after me
Esther Mahlangu may be the oldest #MotherlandMogul we’ve shone the spotlight on but she is serious goals. She is the world-renowned artist credited with elevating the Ndebele painting and culture on the world stage through her work. Esther is has created a successful brand of her products in Mpumalanga, Kwamhlanga where she lives. She is known for her bold large-scale contemporary paintings that reference her Ndebele heritage. Esther has worked with the likes of BMW, FIAT, Belvedere and many other globally-recognised brands. SLA contributing writer Khethiwe Mndawe interviewed Esther Mahlangu at the Lilizela awards. Khethiwe also got a special invite at her her 81st birthday celebration. When and where were you born? I was born in 1935 on a farm outside Middleburg, in the Mpumalanga province. Being the first of nine children —six boys and three girls, I had huge responsibilities at a young age. Yet, my parents and family allowed me to be a child. When I got introduced to art, they realised that they couldn’t keep me away from painting no matter what duties and chores I had to take up. I started painting at 9 years old, being taught by my mother and grandmother. I was inspired by both women. From as far as I can remember, I followed traditions passed down from my mother and grandmother. I learned traditional Ndebele wall painting and bead-work, as a child that was all I did every day. I can say I became an expert in executing murals as a teenager, using a wide range of paint colours. Initially, we used to gather traditional soil paint from the forests and by the rivers but eventually we started using modern paints. [bctt tweet=”Esther Mahlangu: I started painting at 9 years old, taught by my mother and grandmother” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What type of work were you doing before you were discovered as a renowned artist? Who discovered you as an artist and icon for the Ndebele culture? Between 1980 and 1991 I lived and worked at the Botshabelo Historical Village, an open-air museum of Ndebele culture. I can say I was discovered in 1986, by researchers from Paris who were travelling the world to document traditional arts. These artists saw the paintings of Mahlangu’s house. They learnt more about why we paint like this and the significance of the paintings. They invited me to create murals for an exhibition of international contemporary art, the Magicians de la Terre (Magicians of the World). I travelled to France in 1989, and stayed there for two months. I painted a house in front of thousands of spectators that included the media and art lovers. People form Europe got to know about me, where I come from, and the Ndebele culture in South Africa. After a few months, I was asked to also decorate a wall inside the Angoulême Museum of Fine Arts and so I went on to other locations in France. In 1990, I began to paint murals for public venues in Johannesburg and elsewhere in South Africa. This was soon followed by more locations in Europe and the United States. My work appears in exhibitions in more than a dozen countries. How did BMW approach you? BMW got hold of me through the government. They asked me to decorate a so-called BMW “art car” in traditional Ndebele design in 1999. I stepped into the league of Andy Warhol and David Hockney (both world-renowned artists who created previous art cars for the company). From what I know I was the first woman artist to have been honoured as such. [bctt tweet=”Esther Mahlangu was the first woman artist to be invited to make a BMW art car” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Which other projects have you received and achieved at? What awards have you received the past couple of years? I exhibited locally and abroad in Australia, America, Japan and in many European countries. Also, I was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver by the South African presidency for my contribution to the development of indigenous Ndebele arts. I had a painting project with FIAT, British Airways, Belvedere ReD and a project for HIV/Aids with John Legend. Also, I have many award which I received in South Africa for arts and craft. I have been honoured in the tourism sector nationally and in my province, and in the arts and craft sector. In 2016, I was again involved in a BMW project, painting Ndebele patterns on the real wood interior trims of a BMW 7 series. This was shown for the first time at the Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park, London. This car now takes pride of place at South Africa: the Art of a Nation, a major exhibition currently showing at the British Museum from 27 October 2016 – 27 February 2017. I had the opportunity to interview you in IsiNdebele for SA Tourism, at the Lilizela awards. How did you feel winning the Lilizela Ministers Overall award 2016 by the Department of Tourism South Africa? I was not expecting this award at all. I was so happy in the manner which my country honoured me. The attention I received after that, made me feel proud to be a South African artist and I am glad that you came in to interview me in IsiNdebele. It was difficult to understand all the journalist/radio station who were there to hear what I had to say about this once in a lifetime award. Tell us about your art school. I have always had the calling to teach the science and significance of the Ndebele painting, and why we paint. Over the decades it has become my goal to preserve my cultural heritage. I built an art school in the backyard of my home in Mathombothiini (Weltevreden) in the Kwamhlanga district in Mpumalanga Province. I have been funding the school myself. When I am not travelling for exhibitions, I still spend most of my time mentoring young artists in the traditional style of Ndebele design. I teach mostly
Samantha Chovuchovu: Logistics is not just a man’s career
[bctt tweet=”Samantha Chovuchovu shares her experiences as woman dominating in the logistics sector” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Addressing the stereotype that the logistics or transport industry is a career option for a very specific gender is a challenge. The most common managerial positions undertaken by women are in secretarial, communications and human resources. What’s worse is that the industry’s positioning in the manufacturing sector unfortunately, means that very few women are employed in or run businesses. It’s been for ages considered a male-dominated field, but women have developed a significant presence in the industry workforce. From railways to roads, urban transport to civil aviation and as seafarers and dockers, women are working as drivers, conductors, pilots, mechanics and officers, as well as in administrative roles. Samantha Chovuchovu, started her own logistics company and here she shares her experiences as woman dominating in the sector. Why did you choose logistics? Logistics is an industry that continues to grow, be it on the local, national or global scale. It links me to different people. I saw this as an opportunity to grow my network and get exposure to people in different businesses, which made good business sense. Funny enough, growing up I always wanted to do law (which I’m still studying by the way) but I had a vision to run my own business one day. What does one require for such a start-up? First things first, a business plan and the ability to identify your target market. Then obviously, capital to get up and running. Once capital is established you need to source reliable suppliers and manpower. [bctt tweet=”Samantha Chovuchovu: Logistics continues to grow, be it on the local, national or global scale” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What common challenges come with this business? Running a logistics company can be very demanding, yet it offers a rewarding work environment. Suppliers can be unreliable and the main issue is that the business has a lot of risk factors involved. To be prepared for this one needs to be insured to cover any accidents. How do you handle competition from the male competitors? Competitors are everywhere. Being a woman in logistics has never been an issue to me. What’s more important is the role that I have to play and making sure the job gets done. I am aware of competitors out there but I consider them more of an encouragement than a challenge to me. [bctt tweet=”Samantha Chovuchovu: Running a logistics company can be very demanding, yet it is rewarding” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Going forward, what are your career prospects? There are a lot of opportunities in logistics apart from just transporting goods. Operations, purchasing warehousing material handling and inventory control all fall under the umbrella. I would love to seize and take advantage of all these. Any recommendations or advice to young women considering logistics business? I recommend that young women should seriously consider a career in logistics. As globalization moves forward, manufacturing and consumer behaviour will be influenced more and more by global and local markets. Hence, there’s a growing need for logistics services in the supply chain. It is not easy, but one just needs to be very diligent and it will surely pay off. Would you be in a position to mentor other women and/or offer internships to help them get ahead? Sure, I am. Mail me visit our webpage or contact me via email. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.