Africa’s ambitious and hungry female entrepreneurs hosted another successful power session.
The Lionesses of Africa reunited for another instalment of its Lioness Lean In networking and inspiration event at Volkswagen South Africa’s offices in Sandown on 6 March.
The morning was filled with motivated women who were ready to both share their entrepreneurial journeys as well as learn from the experiences of others. According to the social entrepreneur and the community’s founder Melanie Hawken, the ultimate aim of these events is to empower female entrepreneurs to be game-changers in Africa.
The community was launched 19 November 2014 on the first-ever Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. “Lionesses of Africa’s launch was inspired by the realisation that, just as for the pride of lionesses that live and hunt on the plains of Africa, life is a daily battle for survival for women entrepreneurs,” Hawken said in a video presented to the group.
“By supporting women to achieve their start-up dreams, we empower them to generate economic prosperity, to improve their communities, and to become game-changers Africa needs to solve pressing socio-economic problems.”
Lionesses of Africa has grown to over 750 000 users across 54 African countries and reaches thousands of users in Europe and North America. “It is on target to reach the goal of empowering one million women entrepreneurs across Africa.”
Leading the networking session was Lioness Lean In ambassador for Southern Africa, Hlubi Mboya-Arnold, and digital entrepreneur Dr Rufaro Nyamuda.
As an entrepreneur herself, Mboya-Arnold felt that networking events such as these are of great importance in the business and female space. “We first and foremost create our businesses to solve problems in our communities, secondly to create money and thirdly, to create jobs in our community – make an impact. And sometimes you need the support of your fellow entrepreneurs,” Mboya-Arnold added.
The doctor turned entrepreneur, Nyamuda created an app Keep Safe for children to essentially look after themselves during a medical emergency with the help of Volkswagen South Africa. She added that during her journey of creating the app, the women that she came into contact with proved to be impactful. “As a single entrepreneur it can be quite challenging but one thing that I am grateful for are the women that have worked beside me. They have helped and there is just something about speaking to a woman who is or has been on a similar situation that you find yourself in right now.”
As members of the community are consistently encouraged to share their business stories and experiences, in addition to the networking environment, three entrepreneurs presented visual presentations of their journey.
“It is important for all of you to know that you will have your highs and your lows but don’t let the low define who you are as an entrepreneur,” said businesses owner Shamilah Damons, concluding her presentation.
Details: www.lionessesofafrica.com
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