SheHiveCapeTown: February 18-19 2017
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1448373453827{margin-top: -30px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”20179″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The SheHive train came Cape Town and it was litttttt. Check out the fun we had below and join our community to stay up to date on our next SheHive destinations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1448373453827{margin-top: -30px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text][timetable id=”3″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][instagram-feed type=hashtag hashtag=shehivecapetown num=30 cols=5 height=1000][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”28596″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Catherine Nyagah: The inventor behind South Africa’s cheap water absorption sachets
[bctt tweet=”Catherine Nyagah – My aim is straight forward —South Africa must flush and save water wisely” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Get ready, we’re going to be talking about toilets here. Kenyan-born scientist Catherine Nyagah, 56, is a consultant for the Pretoria chapter of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Catherine has led food spice-quality testing teams for brands like KFC and DiMaggio in Nigeria, SA, and Kenya. Now from her own pockets, she has invented, “Smarter Flush Africa” —biodegradable small bags designed to “absorb” toilet water. Catherine has plans to scale her efforts across Africa. SLA contributing writer, Ray Mwayera met Catherine Nyagah over a lunch of Thai noodles and mango juice to find out just how much water Africans are wasting in their homes and establishments. We know, the UN is an exciting place but what is Smarter Flush Africa? Smarter Flush Africa is a brand that products sachets which are designed to “absorb” toilet water in hotels, offices and urban households. These sachets are biodegradable and are certified by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). How on earth do they work? We are science drop outs. One Smarter Flush sachet displaces 2 litres of water. This is how it works. First, you drop in the sachets into the normal 9 litre chamber that lines up the normal South African home or hotel. One sachet goes under the bulb of the water, while the other goes near the water inlet valve. After six to seven hours, the satchet takes in water and holds it! This is important. Unlike sponges, Smarter Flush is unique a very special way. If, the taps are switched off, the sachet will not release the water it took in. It will hold in water till the municipality’s water return to bathroom taps again. This way they conserve water. When I say the bags are biodegradable, I mean the materials used to build the sachet will disintegrate, dissolve and merge in with the natural soil once you throw away the sachet. I designed it this way to help communities. [bctt tweet=”Catherine Nyagah – The average South African visits a toilet 5times a day. We want to manage this” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Gosh, this is important! Tell us more about your initiatives to help communities. Helping communities is critical. We also mop off deadly plastics from dumps which are a menace in South Africa. I consider this to be a life saver because 12.5 % of all illnesses in South Africa are water-related diseases. What motivation sparked this invention? It came from my frequent travels to South Africa. I noticed that too many hotels and houses spend the biggest chunk of their water on bathroom activities. The average South African visits a toilet 5 times a day. We want to manage this better. Can Smarter Flush conquer bad habits? Is it economically-viable? My aim is straight forward —South Africa must flush and save water wisely. Smarter Flush Africa should be seen as a gift by policy makers. We don’t want to save hotels bathroom water while avoiding toilet re-plumbing as that could be too expensive. Hotels are more agreeable to technology like Smarter Flush Africa. We have made a lot of progress with hotels. They recognize that wasted water is wasted money. Smarter Flush Africa can easily be rolled out to two million urban households. One sachet costs only R100 and works for three years. We prefer that users pay the R100 in R20 monthly instalments over five months as a bundle with their water and energy bills. [bctt tweet=”Catherine Nyagah is innovative about saving water because water is not replaceable” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Has there been any scientific testing of your invention? We used the South Africa Census database statistics from 2011 to estimate that this technology will cut water expenditure by 27% if adopted. The data tells us that we need 2 million sachets assuming every hotel and house in Johannesburg has on average one toilet. If we save 2 litres per day, you get 6 litres of water saved. In a day, it could be over 6 billion metric tons of water saved! Are you ever angry with slow bureaucracy? I interacted with the South Africa minister for the environment in August. The appetite for Smarter Flush from ordinary mothers was overwhelming and the minister instructed her aides to engage with this innovation. The World Economic Forum has ranked vanishing water as a top security risk in the world so saving water should be of concern to everyone. We have highway billboards that call for water saving, are they helpful? Even if billboards say; sprinkle borehole water on your flowers, it’s still water, and water is not replaceable! Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Susan Granger: My biggest passion and purpose is to empower African women
[bctt tweet=”Susan Granger: @nubianon101 has been inspired by my lavish taste for art and style” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Nubian Queen on 101 is a niche, quality and exclusive online boutique store, specialising in genuine leather handbags and accessories, all designed and made from the heart of Johannesburg, Gauteng in South Africa. The brand offers a range of contemporary genuine leather bags that bridges the gap between high street and luxury brands. The carefully selected crafted pieces are designed and created by founder and managing director Susan Granger. What is the story behind the name Nubian Queen on 101? Nubian Queen on 101 has been inspired by my lavish taste for art and style and the compelling desire to bring quality bags to everyone despite their social or economic status. Our brand designs are stylish, affordable, versatile and timeless and are not dictated by trends. Besides your frustration at not finding an affordable leather bag, what else informed your decision to create Nubian Queen on 101? I always wanted to make a difference in the community I live in and running a successful business has become my doorway to achieving this. One day, I would like to provide help and tangible assistance that will inspire other start-ups. I know how it feels to look for help, especially when it seems like no one is interested. What were the biggest teething problems you experienced starting out and what are some of the pressing issues you encounter presently? The truth is I am so grateful that I did not struggle at all when I started because I had done my research and planning before I launched the company. I recall on launch day a friend of mine asked me, “Is there anything you didn’t think about before today?” My answer was simply nope, because I had planned everything leading to the day. My pressing issues at the moment is securing funds for expansion. I have self-funded up to this point, but for me to get to the next stage of growth I need to buy my own factory equipment. [bctt tweet=”Susan Granger: Running a successful business has become my doorway to make a difference” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 80% of your workforce who make the bags are women. Was this an intentional decision on your part or a purely coincidental one? Before I started NQ, I always wanted to empower other women through jobs. So during one of my several visits to the factories I met a woman who fully understood my vision. When she mentioned 80% of the work staff were women —many of whom were breadwinners— I knew I found the place to call home until I could afford to own my own equipment. In an interview, you mentioned you didn’t have a team save for the outsourced factory staff. How have you been able to manage Nubian Queen on 101 without one? My family members have been my support centre. Most evenings are set aside to do admin work and then during the day I make sure orders were processed. My daughter, Nicola has been my greatest source of support. She is studying law, and during her free time, she covers for me. I’m very grateful to her and the help she’s given me. [bctt tweet=”Susan Granger didn’t struggle when she started @nubianon101 because she had done her research” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How have you been able to ensure the craftsmanship remains consistent since quality control is a major struggle facing many entrepreneurs on the continent? This is the amazing thing about an exclusive brand that is locally made. Everything is very contained. Our quality control and craftsmanship are consistent because we do not make hundreds of bags at a time. That is our niche. Aside from setting up retail outlets across Africa, what else does the future hold for Nubian on 101? The long-term goal for Nubian Queen on 101 is to collaborate and extend into other branches of fashion, like shoes and clothing while establishing our boutique stores globally. My biggest passion and purpose is to empower African women through job creation. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Hanani Dube: Running a business is one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do
[bctt tweet=”Hanani Dube is a fusion of many things but all her experience has lead her to @FroSisterHanani” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Some may say that the natural hair and skincare market has been inundated but Hanani Dube would disagree. Hanani is fusing her degrees in food chemistry and business in her brand FroSister. You can easily tell by her range of hair butters in a variety of “flavours” such as vanilla ice-cream, avocado and sweet almond. In this interview with SLA contributor Dalphine, Hanani Dube shares what makes her FroSister stand out from the competition. Hanani please tell us briefly about who you are, I am sure people would love to know more about Frosister. It is quite difficult to describe myself as I am a fusion of so many things. I am an academic. I studied food chemistry for my first degree and business and HR for my second but I’m also a creative at heart. I managed to fuse together my love for business, food chemistry and natural hair by creating FroSister natural hair and skincare products. When I created the product range, natural hair products were difficult to find in stores and online . Any challenges you have encountered in ensuring your products’ success? There are so many, running a business is one of the most difficult things I have had to do. One of the main challenges is the actual start. People always have great ideas and a vision but when it comes to the action part, lots of people procrastinate and fear sets in. Overcoming fear is a challenge to most. Once you start, you will find that a way is always paved. How do you manage competing with established hair care brands and ensuring brand loyalty amongst your customers? I don’t think its competition, I believe that what I bring to the table is fresh. FroSister is targeted to a completely new target audience. My customers love their natural hair and want a higher quality product which works. Which countries and fashion retail stores have stocked up your brand? Our products can be found in the UK, Zimbabwe and the US. They can be found in independent retailers, wholesalers, as well as hair salons. 2017 will start with our launch in South Africa and Ghana. We also will be launching our FroSister Ambassador Program. [bctt tweet=”Hanani Dube is bringing something fresh to the table with her natural hair and skincare products” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Growing up, did you once imagine that you would take over the hair care industry and have your own brand retailing world over? It was something that I aspired to do. I remember when I was 10, I saw an advert of a skincare brand and it just clicked. I immediately told my mum that when I grow up, I want to own a company like this. However as I grew up, I totally forgot about the dream and went on to do food chemistry and nutritional science followed by my Masters in Business. Little did I know that all this would lead to the start of the brand FroSister. So you have to speak it into your life. Aspiring #MotherlandMoguls (like me) out there are dying to know how you balance your family and business life It is such a difficult task. You need to be highly organized with everything, planning a month and even a year ahead for the larger projects. You also need to have a supportive family who understand your goals. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. So who, or rather what motivates Hanani? My children motivate me. I want to show them that anyone can make their dreams a reality with hard work, preparation and dedication regardless of their gender age or where they come from. [bctt tweet=”Hanani Dube: You have to speak it into your life. You are more powerful that you know” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Any words of encouragement? If you have a dream, don’t allow anyone to tell you that you can’t. You are more powerful that you know. Faith, focus, determination, preparation and hard work are the ingredients. You also have to love what you do and believe in yourself. Always remember you are beautiful just the way you are. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Refilwe Mochoari: I never lost focus regardless of all the struggles I faced
[bctt tweet=”Failure is not the end. @RefilweMochoari dusted herself up and tried again with her business ventures. ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] My name is Refilwe Mochoari. I am a journalist and an entrepreneur from Bloemfontein, South Africa. I am the owner of Bo-Esi Media which publishes Contagious magazine, a corporate lifestyle magazine in Bloemfontein focusing on business, entrepreneurship, finance and real life stories with the aim to educate, inform and inspire. The road to Bo-Esi wasn’t easy as its success if built on the back of a failed business venture. I started out as a children’s party planner In June 2011, I was 24 years old and had just started business as a children’s party planner. I thought this was the best decision ever. At the back of my mind, I always knew that I was destined for greatness and the party planning business was only a starting point for me. When I started with this business, I was also employed so I did not feel the pressure of the start-up. I had a guaranteed monthly salary to rely on and I could still live the life that I wanted to live. Being a qualified journalist, I had experience working for different media companies. For a long time, I continued to be a full-time journalist and a party planner but everything changed in 2014 when I experienced bullying in the workplace. When I was diagnosed with depression because of the workplace bully, I had no choice but to resign. [bctt tweet=”Refilwe Mochoari – I had to start working extremely hard to make money, but it was not enough” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] This resignation was never planned I did not know that I would resign May 2014, it just happened on the spot with no proper thinking. When I left my job, I continued to run the party planning business but it was difficult because there was no longer a monthly salary to rely on. As a result, I was unable to maintain my lifestyle. During this time, I was running by business at a loss because competition was increasing. I was struggling to buy more equipment for the business but my resources were limited in an industry that was forever getting new trends. On top of that, I had just given birth to my second child who was in ICU for 5 weeks. I had some outstanding private hospital bills to take care of, so the struggle was real. I had to start working extremely hard to make money, but it was not enough. Eventually, I had to move out of my own home and back into my mother’s house. I also had to sell all my furniture, which was worth over R100,000 when I bought, it for less than R20,000. Regardless of all the struggles I faced, I never lost focus. I knew what I wanted so I continued to equip my knowledge on business through various entrepreneurship trainings. I continued to plan on how I would expand my business. Also, I wanted to make my student dream of starting a media company a reality. [bctt tweet=”Refilwe Mochoari’s failed venture made her more clever and knowledgeable on how to run a business” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Launching Bo-Esi and losing my party planning business I had always wanted to contribute positively to the media industry, especially in my province where I saw a niche for a powerful black-owned media company that will contribute positively to the community. However, I could not start my own media company when I was employed by one because that would be a conflict of interest. When I resigned and things were going wrong with my party planning business, I put to action my dream of starting a media company, Bo-Esi Media. At the beginning of 2015, I I started with Contagious Magazine as Bo-Esi’s first publication. Starting Contagious was very exciting and strenuous at the same time because I had no start-up funding whatsoever. I was rejected at all the doors that I knocked on for a business loan. But now more than ever, I was determined to start so I funded Bo-Esi with the money from my party planning business. After launch, the media business took up all my focus, money and time. This certainly led to the failure/closure of my party business. Eventually, I sold all the equipment I’d bought to improve that business. In the first year of running Bo-Esi Media, I managed to secure two large clients on the spot. Now, I was more clever and knowledgeable on how to run a business. So with only two clients, I was able to publish Contagious, pay salaries and promote my brand to potential new clients. It was thrilling to see how far I had come from with entrepreneurship and I continued to work hard regardless of all the challenges that come with running a magazine. [bctt tweet=”Refilwe Mochoari – 2016 is the year of breakthrough for Contagious magazine, it is now starting to grow” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I was more skilful than before I prayed, I believed and I worked. In addition to that, I ensured that I used each and every skill that I obtained from all my previous employers to make Bo-Esi Media a success. I worked on Contagious magazine for one full year before I could secure more clients. The first year of a magazine is the time where the brand had to prove itself, as many advertisers would simply say the magazine is still new for them to advertise in. 2016 is certainly the year of breakthrough for Contagious magazine. I finally started seeing the results of my perseverance. I went from having two clients to a database of over 20 regular clients. For the first time, the business is able to maintain itself and I know that 2017 is coming with even more prosperity. Contagious magazine is now starting to grow and I believe that this is the right time to allow the rest of the province to benefit from a magazine that aims
Humbulani Ravhura: I would love to make yoga more accessible to black people
[bctt tweet=”Humbulani Ravhura: The African dream will not happen if our bodies are dying” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Some of us are very familiar with the struggle between keeping fit and registering at an expensive gym. Humbulani Ravhura learned yoga from a DVD and enjoyed it so much she went on to train as a yoga teacher. Now Humbulani is the founder of PeachBerry Wellness, a yoga-focused initiative that aims to bring yoga to black South Africans in Pretoria. Read on to find out why Humulani believes wellness is integral to the growth of the African continent. How did you find yourself where you are now? I have always been interested in exercise but I could not find a form of exercise that I enjoyed. Yoga and pilates were in some way at the back of my mind, but gym rates were too high. So, I would run once a week and workout at home on some days. After I got a yoga DVD from a friend and a yoga mat for my birthday in 2015, I decided to follow the DVD as my instructor every morning for two weeks. After that period, the results were amazing. My body felt really light, the bloating I had grown to expect was no longer an issue, my body started to tone, I was sleeping better, more flexible and I began to lose weight. That gave me the motivation to practice regularly. I got to know a different side of my body, I was more aware of everything that happened in it and began to appreciate it even more. I fell in love with the practice of yoga. So I decided to register for a yoga teacher training course in February 2016. How do you combine wellness with development of the African continent at PeachBerry? Africa is now the fastest growing continent in the world. The growth of the continent is attributed to the works of people across all fields of expertise from science, economics, health sciences, humanities, the entertainment industry and others. But I do not see how any of the things we do or aspire to do can be sustainable if our bodies are not taken care of. Our bodies are very precious possessions and without them we can’t be. The African dream and narrative that we are working towards every day will not happen if our bodies are dying. We need sharp physical and mental health to be effective. I would like to contribute to that by introducing yoga, general physical activities and healthy eating habits. To grow PeachBerry wellness, what do you think is more important; mentorship or funding? To grow PeachBerry wellness, both mentorship and funding are equally important. It is essential to have mentorship and learn from people that are more experienced and have been entrepreneurs for years. I believe that you do not only learn from your own experiences, but can also learn from other people’s experiences. It is also very important to get opinions from people that think differently from you, to get challenged by different mindsets and to get support in all possible ways from mentors. But most important, I need to remain rooted in the vision I have for my entrepreneurial path because nobody knows it as well as I do. Funding would help PeachBerry reach both its short term and long term goals, which are studio space and an integrated wellness centre, respectively. [bctt tweet=”Humbulani Ravhura: I could not find a form of exercise that I enjoyed” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What will a “wellness conscious” African continent look like? A wellness-conscious African continent would be a continent of people that prioritize physical activity, eating well and hydrating well. It would have people that treat their bodies as the precious temples that they are. We can’t be a growing continent with decaying bodies. How does one turn wellness- in this case yoga, into a profitable business? Firstly, just like any other business, you have to create your own opportunities. You have to identify gaps and obstacles that people encounter when they are trying to live healthy lives and try to figure out how you can ease their journey. Try to come up with ideas that will help you meet your potential clients’ needs. Like making yoga easily accessible and teaching yoga sequences that compliment your potential clients’ everyday jobs. If you have athletes as potential clients, learn about their careers and training methods to see how you can help them reach their goals in a more holistic way. Blend other health and wellness modalities such as massage therapy and aromatherapy because they are complimentary tools. Potential clients may find this to be more interesting. [bctt tweet=”Humbulani Ravhura: Our bodies are very precious possessions and without them we can’t be” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What would you like to achieve in the next three years? How do you plan to achieve it? In the next three years, I would like to have my own yoga studio. Also, I’d like to be a mobile yogi offering corporate yoga at work places, schools, and every corner of Pretoria. I would love to make yoga more accessible to black people. I have realized that most yoga studios are in regions that are not easily accessible to them. This makes it harder for most black people to practice yoga. To reach my goals, knocking on as many doors as possible and exhausting every avenue will be key. Practising every day to perfect my skills so that I can deliver the best yoga sessions will also contribute greatly. What is your favourite yoga position? Do you think it says anything about you/your personality? My favourite yoga position is called Pincha Mayurasana, which is a forearm stand. I do not think it says much about my personality, however, it helps me realize the limitless capabilities that lie within me. For example, the first time I saw this pose in a picture, I thought I would never ever be able to do it because it looked so difficult.
Pap Culture: The Youtube channel giving a face to South African youth culture
[bctt tweet=”@Tumi_06 gets the inside scoop on @PapCultureSA, we’ve always wondered how they do it” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Created in July, 2015, Pap Culture is a Cape Town based YouTube channel founded by Thembe Mahlaba (host), Nwabisa Mda (host) & Bongeka Masango (videographer). The channel was created as an entertainment platform that the trio felt was missing on the YouTube platform, especially in South Africa. Thembe and Nwabisa were interested in starting a podcast channel and once Bongeka moved to Cape Town last year, they realized that they we were all interested in creating a content platform online and YouTube just felt like the right fit. These three are opinionated young black women who thought, “why not?”. And Pap Culture was born. Who and what is Pap Culture? Pap Culture has four segments on the channel: Pap Culture Talks, an open and diverse conversation with two or more guests, who help unpack a topical issue. Pap Culture On Location, captures events. People at the event/location are interviewed and asked quick fire questions relating to the theme of the month. Pap Culture Ride Along, a guest is invited to join Thembe and Nwabisa in a car ride where they indulge in an informal conversation to get to know the guest and discuss matters relating to topical issues and aligns with the theme. Pap Culture Reacts, led by Bongeka, Nwabisa & Thembe answer a select number of questions or react to a video, photo or tweets relating to a specific theme/trending topic. The direction of the channel has definitely moved in a way that we both never anticipated (upon reflection). Yet in many ways, this felt right and intuitive to who we are and how we want to create/entertain. At the core we want to have fun and bring about a humorous side to issues that people often shy away from. We wanted a platform that allows us to tell our story and understanding of South African youth culture. A platform that truly represents what it means to be South African through engaging and interactive conversations. Ultimately, our vision is to change the documented narrative of African youth culture. [bctt tweet=”@PapCultureSA wants to change the documented narrative of African youth culture” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is the one thing you appreciate most about youth culture in South Africa and the continent? Bongeka: I appreciate how unique it is. In as much as we are influenced by the world around us, we are still interested in being authentically African. We have found a way to combine our African identities with trends around the world. Thembe: Active Participation. We are smart and becoming more informed the more we start talking about current affairs and issues that concern us as people. Now, we are able to join the political conversation not with an invite, but by forcefully bringing ourselves to the table. We are voting and making our voices heard, trying to keep our governments accountable of the promises they are trying to keep/not keep. Also, we are protesting for our rights. We are just going out there and doing what we believe is needed for us to live in a better society for ourselves and the families we want to bring into the world. Nwabisa: It’s honest. So much is going on in South Africa at the moment. I love how we are unapologetic about our approach to life and we’re honest about our lives and the things we face (both positive and negative). Also I appreciate the need to tell these stories, facing these challenges head on and really fighting for change now. I think there’s been a huge shift from what was perceived as a lazy generation and young people have shown how empowered we really are. I think young people are still very misunderstood, but so many are making great strides to speak out and tell their stories. There’s a collective support and encouragement pushing for more young people to continue to own who they are and just be themselves. If you had to do a television programme in a different country what would it focus on? Bongeka: It would depend on which country I’m in. If it were an African country, I’d do something fictional. I find we really love hearing stories so it would be interesting to tell stories to a new audience. If I were in the UK I’d be interested in making a game or a talk show simply because they do so well over there. I’d love to be in a studio full of people engaging in the game or talk show. Thembe: This is a hard one. But I think one of these three options. A talk show, a variety show kind of like our YouTube channel or a comedy drama series focusing on creating a positive African identity. Nwabisa: Comedy…always comedy. I don’t consider myself the most conceptually creative person. Especially from a creating from scratch point of view in terms of TV and script writing and all that stuff that goes into making the shows people are obsessed with for years and years. But I love a good laugh…a good long laugh that has you breathless and in tears. So honestly any kind of comedic series that collaborates with people with great senses of humour from all parts of Africa and that has a great representation of different cultures, would be pretty epic. Which episode of Pap Culture has been most memorable for you and why? Bongeka: The most memorable episode has to be the Mission Possible episode, that was part of the Project Find A Bae series. Simply because I was not expecting the day to turn out like that. Although I don’t look like it, I was quite impressed with the ladies for pulling it all off. Thembe: This answer changes a lot depending on if there is an episode that outdoes the last most memorable. But right now it would have to be the episode with Khanyi Mbau. She is a South African celebrity who hosts a weekend talk show with radio
Didintle Moatshe: The teenager bringing hope to her community
[bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: The motive behind my project is the situations I have been through” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The fact that Didintle Moatshe is a teenager doesn’t stop her from working hard to make a change in her community. Together with her partner Kgotso Makgalema, Didintle is trying to save girls in their communities. Both Didintle and Kgotso do this through several projects, including one that provides free sanitary pads to girls so that they remain in school. Supported by the local church, schools and other stakeholders, Didintle shows that it’s never too early to start campaigning for positive change. Her bravery extends to openly sharing her experience with rape. Didintle does this in order to heal and to give hope to other girls who are rape survivors. You’re 16 years old, why have you decided to start these projects as a teenager? I decided to start an organization as teenager because I felt that the government was not doing enough. Most of the time, it is like they do not care. We have been waiting for a lot of things that the government promised to offer but has still not provided. I started this project to fill the gap that has been left alone. The sanitary pads initiative is the project I first started with. Its aim is to help girls who can not afford sanitary pads. I have witnessed it happen, girls who bunk class because of ruined skirts and girls who miss a week of school because her period has started. I started this as a teenager because I felt the government promotes safe sex —which is a choice, more than hygiene of girls. Tell us about Barrier Breakers. Barrier Breakers is the main organization we started. It includes everything —not only sanitary pads— it aims to provide the needs of our communities. We do not want to revolve around one issue, we deal with all of them. In addition, we are breaking barriers of poverty and inequality in our communities. We are building bridges to help others cross, to get to the other side where grass is green and everything is bright. We give hope to those who have lost hope in everything and seek intervention in their lives. Our slogan is, “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges”. [bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: I felt the government promotes safe sex more than hygiene of girls” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What has motivated you to start this project?How did you start implementing it? The motive behind this project is the situations I have been through. I learnt that in the world we all do not have equal chances and we need each other. Ubuntu principles are also behind the project. We all need to practice them and this is me practising Ubuntu. Whatever background I come from does not give me the right to fold my arms and watch women who are supposed to lead in the future suffer. I started this project small where I asked the congregation and the youth of my church to help me gather sanitary pads and toiletries. This was a success and we donated what we raised to Kgomotso Children Centre in Soshanguve. So it all started in church. How do you plan to effectively provide for individuals in need in your communities I plan to get help from companies who are willing to help, as well as from many other individuals who support such initiatives in their communities. Our plan of action is to distribute in schools. This will leave us with a certain percentage who do not attend schools. Some are at safety homes and others in their private homes but we are also going to reach out to them. We plan to donate two packets of pads to individuals in schools and leave extra packets at schools for when they run out. We target five schools every Friday where we freely distribute the sanitary pads. [bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: We all need to practice Ubuntu principles and this is me practising Ubuntu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Tell us about the meaning behind #SaveOurGirls? #SaveOurGirls was a name proposed by my partner working with me in this project, Kgotso Makgalema. We decide to go with the name #SaveOurGirls because we believe that we are saving girls from the pit of poverty. Our roles in this situation is for us to throw in the rope to help them up to reach their destiny. Save Our Girls is another way of saying let’s keep girls in school, save them from the hungry lions waiting to devour them by taking advantage of their circumstances. We want to build a country where women know their worth. We are restoring the dignity and pride of girls. #SaveOurGirls is a cry to the public to help girls who are in need. You are very open about being a rape survivor, can you share why? Many say I am still young to talk so openly about my rape story. What I believe is that in order to heal, I have to talk about it. I have to be free from the chains of rape. I thought to myself, why should I sit and cry while I have Christ? Still, it was not easy. I had to step out of depression, I had to divorce all the suicidal thoughts and find ways to feel good. I might not know who my rapist is but I know that God will never leave the wicked unpunished. Sharing my story can give life to someone who has lost hope. Surviving rape is never easy but I turned back and went back to my first love who is Jesus. My message is, whatever you go through now and just remember God will never put in a situation knowing there is no escape. Praise him in your darkest moments and let his feet dance to your tune. God’s timing is always right. [bctt tweet=”Didintle Moatshe: We want to build a country where women know their worth” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you see yourself continuing your projects
Keoratile Ngobeni: I wasn’t going to waste a year of my life doing nothing
[bctt tweet=”Keoratile Ngobeni: I started Queen Mentality after I was forced to take a gap year ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Who says you’re too young to be a philanthropist? That person should meet Keoratile Ngobeni, a 20 year old feminist and philanthropist from Mabopane, South Africa. Driven by her passion to empower women and develop youth, Keoratile founded Queen Mentality. With the tagline “Fierce. Fearless. Focused”, Queen Mentality works with women through seminars, events, workshops and community projects. This is all to raise a “generation of Queens”. When she’s not focused on turning young women into queens, Keoratile Ngobeni writes and works her hustle as a business woman. Tell us about Queen Mentality. What motivated you to start this organisation? Well, I started Queen Mentality after I was forced to take a gap year this year. I had told myself that I wasn’t going to waste a year of my life doing nothing. I knew I’d rather spend time impacting the lives of people in whichever way that I can. Queen Mentality strives to bring out the best version of the women (and men) we cross paths with. Since you took a gap year, what would you love to study and why? When I first applied to university I had applied for International Relations and Politics. I got accepted to study it but unfortunately I didn’t manage to register. Now, think this was the best thing to happen to me then because I have since changed my mind. I want to study Law. I was going to be stuck with a course I’m not passionate about. [bctt tweet=”Keoratile Ngobeni: I’m going for everything they told me I wouldn’t achieve” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is your greatest strength? My belief in myself. It took me a long time for me to believe in myself and now that I do, I’m going for everything they told me I wouldn’t achieve. It’s what keeps me going. What is your biggest achievement So far, Queen Mentality is my biggest achievement. It has opened a whole lot of doors for me and made me grow into the woman I am today. Condoms or pads? Why? Definitely pads. As much as unwanted pregnancies and STDs are important for people to refrain from, a woman does not choose to go on her periods —even when she can’t afford too. You don’t hear that boys skip school because they don’t have condoms! Over 6 million girls skip school every month because they can’t afford sanitary pads for their cycle. [bctt tweet=”Keoratile Ngobeni: Queen Mentality has made me grow into the woman I am today” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Love or money? Money! As much as money doesn’t buy happiness. I don’t think I’d personally ever be TRULY happy if I were deeply in love but I didn’t have money to afford essentials. Name three things in a women you find attractive. Confidence Ambition Giving credit to other women! For example, congratulating or being happy for another woman who is doing well for herself, telling other women their people, not having the “pull her down syndrome“. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Nathacia Olivier: The right place, the right product
[bctt tweet=”@OlivierNathacia noticed that women like strong role models & used this in her strategy” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Indoni is an African-woman owned company based in Ekurhuleni that produces skin and hair care products made from 100% natural ingredients, food compounds and essential oils that contain healing properties. The company firmly believes in the “essence of natural African beauty”. The word “Indoni” is a Nguni, isiZulu name inspired by the realisation that the beauty of a woman is curved in her naturalness. Nathacia Olivier has always believed in being beautiful the natural way without having to spend thousands of rands on things that will eventually burn, damage and agitate the skin. SLA contributor Goitsemang Mvula recently caught up with Nathacia Olivier. She asked about a subject that is vital in business, especially a product based company, product placement and development How wise is it to opt for an intensive distribution with the type products that you are selling and also breaking barriers in international distribution? It was really hard to come up with a distribution strategy that would attract people and also push them to earn more for themselves each day. Going international is challenging when you consider factors such as shipping, communication, currency, advertising and the likes. To what degree does the using an influencer such as Miss South Africa, play a role in attracting customers? I noticed that women love anything and everything that has to do with beauty and fashion. They also follow strong female role models. Liesl Laurie, Miss South Africa 2015 (2nd Princess) is a very good friend of mine. Her agreeing to become part of Indoni was an amazing opportunity as she also feels very strong about being natural. [bctt tweet=”“Indoni” is an isiZulu name inspired by the fact that the beauty of a woman is in her naturalness” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Liesl also does a lot of talks related to women, hence she immediately connected with the vision that Indoni has. Getting her to the skin retreat bootcamp attracted a lot of women, her support made them want to use Indoni products and become part of the team. Is it advisable to use consumer testing on your friends and family before you go out to the markets? Testing is one process that has been giving me a headache ever since the inception of Indoni. Yes, we started testing the products with family, friends and myself —I loved the results that came out. [bctt tweet=”Nathacia Olivier: We started testing Indoni products with family, friends and myself ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] At the moment, Indoni products are not tested yet women use the products. We are still busy working on that. We are in the process of getting all the products tested by next year. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.