Ignited Woman - Aug/Sept 2020

Issue 10 | Aug/Sept 2020

IS THIS THE BEST TIME

to be a woman in business?

py p a H 's n e Wom th Mon

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Women who are slaying in their lanes

+15

Businesses that thrive during a pandemic Is obesity a risk factor for serious COVID19 infection?

Palesa Matjekane

CONTENTS REGULARS 07 08 09 10

MONEY COACH BUSINESS BITS HEALTH FOCUS MENTAL HEALTH

FEATURES 22 INNOVATOR: BUSKA FOODS 30 DISRUPTORS IN CONSTRUCTION 38 BLACK GIRL MAGIC TAKING ON THE WINE INDUSTRY 40 IGNITED MAN: NEW MAN ABOUT TOWN

SPECIAL FOCUS ON WOMEN 18 ADVOCATING FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS 24 CUT WOMEN ON SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA 34 HP FOCUS ON EMPOWERING WOMEN

TRENDS 12 14 15 32

BUSINESSES THAT THRIVE IN A PANDEMIC GET THE LOOK WITH BYSSIE CLOSET FASHION RECAP: ALL OUR FAVES FOOD: BOEREWORS CABBAGE PASTA

HELLO ISSUE

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editor's note Milestones are made up of small steps Many years ago, I was probably in middle school, I was reading a magazine from my mom’s rack as I usually did. I was reading as per usually but on this day something stuck out.

I saw a number 197 on the spine of the magazine and I asked her what the number mean. She explained that it was the number of times that particular magazine had been printed or published.

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197. I was so fascinated. At the time I was already interested in the magazine world and hoped to have mine one day and the thought of achieving this feat was ever do enticing. I seriously, I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not want to be a magazine editor.

I wanted to grow up and have a magazine that will surpass the number 197 – this became my benchmark.

When my team and I placed the words Hello Issue 10 on our contents page this week my heart skipped a beat and my dream was validated once again.

www.ignitedwoman.co.za

Granted we are still far from the number that was one of the things that enticed me to have my own publication. But we are here and we have never been here before. We are seeing the ground under our feet move and it feels amazing, daunting and exhilarating all at once.

41 This month we celebrate women who have gone through very similar motions. And we say to you all our readers, your dreams are valid go after them.

Kamo Seekoei Founding Editor

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Founder & editor Kamogelo Seekoei

Content Lead Basetsana Makhalemele writer tshego ramoupi graphic designer Basetsana makhalemele tumelo mosue

Contributors Dr Relebohile Ncha Dr Nkomile Setlaba boitumelo monyatsi Dikonelo mile edith mjuluki mpho mabote

Advertising Kopano lebethe head: advertising sales kopano@kopsmedia.com

digital solutions kamogelo seekoei

WWW.IGNITEDWOMAN.CO.ZA

Subscriptions Visit www.ignitedwoman.co.za or send email To: info@kannamedia.co.za

124 Lyndhurst road, lyndhurst Johannesburg, 2192 3 Phone: +27 61 434 4631 Cell: +27 81 708 1412

Published by Kanna Media productions All Rights Reserved. all opinions by our independent writer does not necessarily reflect the opinions of ignited woman magazine or its staff members.

Money Coach

Learning about money in the midst of chaos

By Dikonelo Mile South Africa continues to be in a national lockdown due to Covid-19.

Many people may face worries as their plans for the year may have been disrupted.

Have an emergency budget: An emergency budget is there to assist you in planning for unforeseen circumstances and is different from a normal budget. An emergency budget should involve how to create and maintain your emergency funds.

All the resolutions made at the beginning of the year have had to take the back burner as we define and Circumstances have changed. Have a navigate a new normal. look at how your budget looked before Our lifestyles as we all knew it has come lockdown ad how it looks not in order into the spotlight as we consider to make the necessary adjustments. whether we will be able to sustain our Look at where you will receive extra lifestyles in the current climate. income and how you will use the funds

to accommodate your current needs.

Yet this is an important time to start Have a look at areas where you have saving. It might seem ironic to talk inherently cut down costs (e.g fuel, take about saving in the middle of a global out) due to the lock down and if you pandemic, where people are not trading can continue cutting down these costs. and corporates are not operating on full swing. However, the best lessons are Prioritize essential expenses: learnt in the midst of a chaos. We Your business or job may have been must remain positive in order to affected by the national lockdown. If survive. you are in this situation, your main priority is to survive in order to recover The following are a few of the ways we financially. can start saving.

List all your expense from the most important to the least important so that you know where to put your focus. If you have to negotiate payments with third parties, do research and ensure you know your rights.

Save to Invest: Saving money gives you peace of mind, but most importantly, knowing why you are saving, is key.

Saving money with the ultimate goal to invest is a good step towards creating multiple sources of income which are highly needed during this period of economic uncertainties.

Pay off bad debts: Having bad consumer debts can pile up and create stressful emotions in your life. Pay off bad debts. A great way to assist you to fast track paying off debt is to get an accountability partner or join a trustworthy stokvel whose aim is to pay off debt.

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Business Bits

NEW WAVE OF BUSINESS IDEAS TO HIT MARKET AS COVID-19 HITS THE ECONOMY, BOTH SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES FIND THEMSELVES AFFECTED AS LOCKDOWN ALSO PERSISTS.

By Edith Mjuluki Many businesses in various industries such as agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and the transport industry are left crippled financially due to halted production or reduced service.

Corporate giants are also starting to feel the pinch of the lockdown and the effects of COVID-19.

Using cash is becoming an ancient payment method as the banks continue to introduce even better ways of electronic fund transfers.

Online magazines and newspapers,

Online shopping has most certainly seen a surge in sales.

More consumers are now seeking simplified

selected medical conditions, online

studying online, zoom meetings, Skype meetings, online doctors consultation for education from foundation phase to tertiary.

buying methods therefore payment gateway Small businesses have been the hardest hit

suppliers and e-commerce platforms are also set

A drastic change of careers as some

especially as the promised relief fund has been a

to see a business boom now and going into the

courses become obsolete.

massive challenge to access.

future. Oh, we look at the increased use of

This is definitely a costly change which

All this however means that innovation is needed to

Bitcoin payments and card payments becoming

will leave most businesses crippled if not

make the new way.

popular.

shut down. This is the time of s shift, a

Things are not just changing for the now but will

change in the way we do things from

continue on this trajectory going into the future –

traditional to a more transformed business

this is a renaissance and traditionally operated

environment.

So it will not be a surprise to start seeing evolution of new business ideas as more entrepreneurs push forward to be seen and heard in their respective industries.

In the soon coming future we are going to start seeing introducing brand new, and never seen, or heard of business ideas which were suffocated by the giant and mega businesses.

As it is many people have started working from home, this means the tech industry will see an

businesses will suffocate as the digital transformation kicks in.

implementing strategies to avoid the

Entrepreneurs who are digitally and

impact of Covid-19 by introducing

technologically advanced should experience a

innovative methods of service delivery.

grand entrance into the market.

Entrepreneurs in the spaces of food delivery,

emergence of products that enable this way of

online grocery shopping and medication delivery

working.

using drones have a set future.

Furthermore, the shift to working from home is a

We have seen the replacement of human

costly change which will take a surprising rise in the

employees by robotic machines being

next few months.

implemented in some countries. Services such

Cost reduction strategies will be implemented in the

as production and manufacturing, the use of

transport industry such as the use of remotely

robotic call answer service is a new thing with

operated "drones" instead of vehicles for delivery of

the banks and cellular industries, news reading

light weight packages such as medication,

from home and so on are the new features in the

documents, and gifts.

business market.

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Business owners should consider

.

The best option is to look forward to a future where you can play a part as an entrepreneur

"

Using cash is becoming an ancient payment method as the banks continue to introduce even better ways of electronic fund transfers. .

Health Focus

Is obesity a risk factor for serious COVID-19 infection?

By Kamogelo Seekoei

Scientists are still studying the COVID-19 pandemic to develop a vaccine and questions keep coming up about who is at risks and who is not.

While it is cautioned that all South Africans should take necessary precautions to avoid infection, one such question that has come up is whether people who are obese are more at are at risk of contracting COVID-19?

Studies from around the world show that individuals who have underlying medical conditions are substantially more at risk for developing serious COVID-19 disease. Either that or they suffer complications requiring specialised hospital care.

The question is whether overweight South Africans should be concerned about what precautions to take as a measure to reduce their risks?

This is particularly important because the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 53.8% – more than half – of South Africa’s adults are overweight or obese. It is also vital to address these concerns as a number of international studies s

Overweight South Africans can take measures to protect themselves how a link between obesity and serious COVID-19 infection.

A recent study from the United Kingdom for example found that 73% of COVID-19 patients in intensive care were either overweight or obese. While we await national statistics in South Africa, there are indications that high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and obesity were common among those who have died from COVID-19 locally.

Furthermore, over 90% of deaths from COVID-19 in South Africa are recorded among individuals aged 40 years and older, which is the segment of the general population in which obesity and related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension tend to occur.

According to Dr Gert du Toit, a surgeon who practises at the multidisciplinary metabolic centre at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban, a number of lifestyle and other conditions are associated with obesity, including type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, heart disease, impaired glucose tolerance and sleep apnoea, which is a breathing disorder.

“The WHO therefore warns that obesity also contributes to greater

vulnerability to COVID-19 infection,” he says.

“The WHO therefore warns that obesity also contributes to greater vulnerability to COVID-19 infection,” he says.

Dr du Toit explains that many obese people, particularly those with a higher BMI and long duration of obesity, develop metabolic syndrome, which refers to a cluster of conditions occurring together, including high blood sugar levels hyperglycaemia) and high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels and excess body fat around the waist. The syndrome has been shown to increase the individual’s risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and of suffering a stroke.

Dr du Toit cautions that there are no indications that obese people acquire the viral infection more easily than the non-obese.

“However, once infected, obese people tend to develop more severe forms of COVID-19. People who have already been diagnosed with obesity-related conditions should take particular care to comply with their treatments and medical visits,” says du Toit.

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Mental Health

BIPOLAR MOOD DISORDER: MORE THAN JUST MOOD SWINGS

By Dr Nkomile Setlaba

I have often hear people being labelled or even labelling themselves as ‘bipolar. Simply because they tend to get irritable every now and then or display what is commonly known as mood swings.

It has become such a norm that it seems acceptable in society to call people bipolar. Yet used in this context, the word bipolar is a misnomer.

Bipolar mood disorder is in fact a psychiatric disorder which manifests with two different mood states, hence the name bipolar. The name indicates the two phases poles that the patients suffering from the disorder may present in, manic phase (or mania) and depressive phase (depression). The two phases or states present at different episodes.

It is easy to diagnose Bipolar Mood Disorder when a patient comes in while in the manic phase, however the same cannot be said with the depressive phase. It is thus imperative to obtain a full history.

The two types of Bipolar Disorder are known as Bipolar Mood Disorder type 1 and type 2. These are distinguished by the severity of the symptoms during the manic phase. Individuals with type 2 have a milder form of the illness and the impairment in functioning is not as clearly defined. These individuals are still able to fulfil some duties even though their effectiveness and accuracy is not optimal.

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Mania is much easier to recognize as the symptoms are quite overt. These include hilarity, pressure of speech and pressure of movement. Let me expand on that.

Hilarity refers to the mood in which the individuals are happier and more excited than usual. They are playful and humorous and nothing seems to have an opposite effect on their mood.

This mood is also described as infectious; meaning everyone around the patients tends to feel the same way, though to a lesser degree. In some instances the mood may be irritable, which can escalate to verbal and or physical aggression.

Pressure of Speech refers to the speed at which the individuals speak. They speak extremely fast, indicating the pressure of their thoughts. Often a time they will jump from one topic to another making them incomprehensible to their audience. Even in cases where they are sticking to one topic, the speed of delivery is increased.

Pressure of Movement describes what is known as psychomotor activity. These individuals have increased energy levels with an increase in the speed at which they move. They feel a need to always move around and getting them to sit still seems impossible. They have a decreased need for sleep and feel refreshed after a short duration of sleep.

The symptoms are severe and last for a minimum of seven days.

On recognizing the above-mentioned cardinal symptoms by a clinician, a provisional diagnosis can be made.

The aim of treatment is to get the patients back to their level of functioning. This is achieved by administering medications to normalize the mood and behaviour.

Treatment of choice is mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medication. It is difficult to administer psychotherapy in the acute phase of the illness, but once the patients are stable, then therapy can commence.

Bipolar Mood Disorder is a chronic illness and patients need to be on medication life-long. Whilst on treatment these individuals can participate fully in the community. In some instances, however, especially if the illness has been present for many years, with multiple relapses, functioning may begin to decline.

Mania Abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood Abnormally and persistently increased level of energy Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity/ inflated sense of self worth More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking Decrease need for sleep (feel rested after 2 hours of sleep) Feelings of racing thoughts Distractibility Increase in activity Excessive involvement in risky activities, e.g. excessive spending, foolish business dealings, sexual indiscretions, gambling, substance use

The above must cause significant impairment in functioning and must not be due to the effects of a substance, such as alcohol or drugs.

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Market insights

+15 ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES THAT FLOURISH DURING A PANDEMIC Pandemics have come and gone – bringing shock and despair to so many lives. The Spanish flu, considered the most devastating pandemic of all time, claimed 100 million lives between 1918 and 1920. Even in recent years the world has seen avian flu and swine flu spreading and claiming lives of people. However it is the COVID-19 pandemic that has everyone on lockdown; affected the entire world personally and professionally.

In just three months small businesses were starting to close down while the fortunate who could keep their doors open had to find new and innovative ways to run their businesses and navigate the pandemic.

Beyond this, the COVID-19 outbreak has also shown us the types of businesses that thrive during a pandemic.

We list a few below.

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SALE OF HAND SANITIZERS AND FACEMASKS: There is no other time that hand sanitizers and facemasks are in great demand to protect people from viral infections than during a pandemic. As such, manufacturing and or retailing hand sanitizers and facemasks to the populace during this time can guarantee the sell-out of the merchandise every time they’re put on the shelves

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SALE OF TEMPERATURE DEVICES:

PHARMACY: 5

Pharmacy stores experience a large influx of clients during a pandemic because a lot of people come in to procure various types of drugs for various ailments they might be experiencing. If you own a pharmacy store during these times, you’d have a very active business.

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When there’s a pandemic, public locations need a way of filtering who can and cannot come into the setting, without the risk of infecting many more people with the virus. As such, temperature devices sell out in very large volumes during this times, because a lot of public environments procure them for their security to use to test the temperatures of people at the entrances of their locations.

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MEDICAL LABORATORIES:

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HOSPITALS:

Young South Africans who are in this field have seen an influx of people even government departments turning to them as more tests need to be processed.

During pandemics, medical laboratories thrive especially if their testing centres have the capacity to test for the specific ailments going viral.

During a pandemic, millions of people flock hospitals to receive special care, treatments, tests, and much more. If you own a hospital during these times, you would have a large influx of patients.

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HOME DELIVERY SERVICES: People are scared to move around during a pandemic, and so, prefer to order items online or remotely. You could start a home delivery service for your online store and deliver essential goods that millions of people need to their homes since they don’t want to come out to get them.

GROCERY STORES: 7

Groceries are essential to every individual and homes, and as such, the stores are not shut down during periods of pandemics. You could start up a grocery store during this period, stock the stock with as much essential goods as possible and supply to people in need who visit the store or want the items delivered to their homes.

GROCERY BUYING SERVICE: 8

Two years ago suggesting someone in South Africa to that you want to start a business buying groceries for them would seem absurd.

Pitch the same business to the same people today and they will jump at the idea of having theirs hopping done by another person so that they keep safe from the pandemic.

This is the time for innovation.

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FOOD DELIVERY: Small town folk don’t think this is a business that can thrive, but everyone needs food and right now people cannot go everywhere they want to go. If you have a vehicle, perhaps it’s time you start partnering with catering businesses and deliver their food.

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TRASH COLLECTION: People would always pile up a lot of trash, and since they won’t be able to throw them out the right way during a pandemic, they’d require the services of a trash collection company to come to their homes to pick up the trash on their behalf. During times are global or local pandemics, trash collection grows 13

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Blogging is one venture that could be run from home pandemic or no pandemic. And in times of pandemic, if you have expertise in a topic that could help people in whatever they’re doing during this period, it be a great time to start a blog as most people would be at home with much more time to read and learn new things.

CLEANING SERVICES: Professional cleaning companies that sanitize offices, homes, hospitals and commercial properties are in high demand during a pandemic. Cleanliness is a top priority during a pandemic. It is in such a period that cleaning companies experience an increase in sales and customers. Most homes will prefer to hire the service of a professional cleaning company to do the cleaning rather than doing it themselves.

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StayHome StaySafe

FREELANCE SERVICES: While at home during a pandemic, you can sign up with freelance sites like Upwork, freelancer, and Fiverr and start working from home. Are you a good graphic designer, content writer, web designer, or even good with voice over, then you should definitely not waste your time waiting for the pandemic to be over to get back to work.

ONLINE EDUCATION: Online teaching platforms can attest to this, that have had to upscale their businesses and ensure system safety as more people turned to their platforms during this pandemic. Companies that offer online courses or reaching will thrive during this time of the pandemic.

BLOGGING:

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NEWS MEDIA: The news media gains so much more attention during pandemics because people are always glued up to their phones trying to read about the progress or regress of the pandemic that’s caused panic everywhere. Since panics and amplified fears drive up the number of news readers, news media outlets thrive during these periods.

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10th Edition Designers fashion RECAP

Our Reader's favourites

@ZINNIAEXCLUSIVE @OJ DESIGNS @NTHATUOA CRAFTS @T&H COLLECTIONS

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Wearing all her hats with flair The rise of women the business sector, education and essentially everywhere, is through efforts by the likes of serial entrepreneur, women and girls empowerment advocate and founder of Women In Formation Africa, Palesa Matjekane. Palesa is a lover of everything woman and believes in lifting others as we rise. We speak to her about her advocacy work and her involvement in various business interests.

PALESA MATJEKANE SPEAKS TO US Ignited Woman (IW): You are involved in so many projects, please tell us what drives you?

Palesa Matjekane (PM): I have always been motivated by the desire to meet a deadline. Setting and reaching deadlines gives me such a sense of accomplishment. I love creating an organized schedule for completing a task and achieving my goals on time. For example, now when we launched Rise Africa Academy I set multiple deadlines for a variety of tasks leading up to the event.

Achieving each milestone motivated me to keep working and helped me to ensure that the event ran smoothly.

internal and external communication. And deliver sound messaging that is consistent with your brand and company transformation. I am the CEO and run the entire organisation, with the help of my team whom I hold dear to heart.

IW: Women In Formation Africa is an organisation dedicated to Girls and Women Empowerment, founding this organisation shows your commitment to the advancement of women and girls, why is this important to you?

I am an advocate for the empowerment of women and girls, and the promotion and protection of their human rights.

Education is one of the most important means of

IW: How do you juggle everything that you

empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-

do with family life?

confidence necessary to participate fully in the

PM: I have full support from my husband Phihlelo

development process. I was raised by two most powerful

Matjekane, he is a hands on husband and father and

women, I owe who I am today to my mother Elisa Makwa

my two amazing children Gabby and Alex are my

who is my teacher, and my grandmother Elizabeth Makwa

biggest cheerleader. I also have the support of my mother and grandmother and my mother in-law I am blessed with the support system from these three remarkable women.

And lastly its extreme important that whilst juggling family life I find time for myself, as women we tend to give so much of ourselves that we end up losing who we are, what we like and our way. An active self-care routine can help bring you back to the present and reintroduce the things you enjoy in life.

who is spiritual mentor. So my commitment lies in creating a platform for these women and girls to have mentors who will guide them to reach their full potentional.

IW: Besides your involvement in BRICS another major project you are involved in is the Tropics Business Summit; tell us your role there.

Tropics Business Summit is the most important business meeting on investing in Africa! It is successfully bridging the

IW: Tell us about Formation Group, what

funding gap between Anglophone and Francophone

exactly does the company do and your role.

markets for Africa’s industrialization.

PM: Formation Group is a Communications Agency,

As the business development manager I identify leads,

that is a diverse organisation which also owns and operates on a number of innovative subsidiaries. We focus on both

deliver custom solutions, build and maintain a positive working relationship with potential sponsors, strategic partners, and speakers of the summit and the fund.

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My role include locating or proposing potential business opportunities by contacting prospects, discovering and exploring business opportunities, obtaining agreements, as well as establishing connections with companies potentially interested in attending, partnering, sponsoring the summit or funding entrepreneurs.

IW: Is the event going to take place this year as well?

Oh Yes. It will take place between 14 and 17 October as a virtual event due to COVID-19. The safety of our community is a top priority so 4th annual TROPICS BUSINESS SUMMIT will be delivered as a digital even.

IW: I think this should be the most exciting journey in your life at the moment; the Mrs South Africa 2020 journey; can you tell us what has been the most exciting part of this journey?

Mrs South Africa is a female empowerment program for married women, in South Africa. Their program is aligned with my vision which promoting women empowerment in economic and social spheres. It has given me the opportunity to rediscovering my sacred dreams, being given the second chance to ignite my dreams with two kids and a husband whom I love dearly. The journey has been challenging with the current pandemic but yet so fulfilling. Loving every minute of it. My kids keep asking so mummy when are you winning again? It’s taking too long .

IW: What would you say has been the testing part of the competition?

COVID 19 has best testing in so many ways. Listen this pandemic has been so daunting on all of us. But one thing it has taught me is with persistence and determination one can achieve anything. We had to raise funds during lockdown and can you just imagine what the companies feed back was when asking for money with what is going on. But that never stopped me I kept knocking on doors and today I am proud to say I have my sponsor and going through to the top 50 judging.

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Sound advice: Believe in yourself. You can do more than you think.

Don’t let others define your worth.

Take the chance! Do what you want. Dare to be more ambitious. Don’t settle!

Innovator

Agro processing queen SEIZING EVERY OPPORTUNITY

By Basetsana Makhalemele

Imagine being presented with an opportunity of a lifetime; to be part of a business incubation programme yet having to come up with a fresh and out of the box idea that has not yet dominated your community.

If you don’t you lose your spot on the incubation programme. This was the reality confronting agro-processing entrepreneur S’busisiwe Sithebe when she became part of the De Beers Voorspoed Mining Enterprise Development incubation programme in 2017.

tion, catering and cleaning services sectors were over saturated in the district.

Ensuring her spot was secured S’busisiwe only had one option, to think broader.

She had always been passionate about food since her high school years when she selected to do home economics as a subject.

She was the family chef, cooking at every family gathering and event.

Her love for food and her background in Cooking was all she wanted to do, but it was simply not enough for this the food industry had been enough to get into the programme but it would be programme. her innovation that would keep her.

“I considered a restaurant or even being The programme administrators presented a private chef but the circumstances did a feasibility study on the Fezile Dabi region not allow at the time,” she says. and told the incumbents that the construc-

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the business "Running has been a rollercoaster ride because starting everything from scratch presents a

lot of challenges especially when you have to tap into the market that is dominated by the big players.

“Somehow when I got home, I started talking to my mom about my homework to come with an innovative idea for this industry.

I was hungry and there was nothing prepared in the house. My mom suggested that I check the cupboard.

“I saw the bottle of preserved beetroot I had prepared the previous December in 2016 and that was a light bulb moment for me,” says S’busisiwe, who hails from Kroonstad.

At the time she could not think of black person from her community who was involved in food preservation in the formal market, and the rest as they say is history.

Today she is becoming a prominent figure in the agro-processing sector and has big plans for her food label, Buska Foods. She produces beetroot, tomato puree, carrot and sweetcorn salad and as well as crushed chillies and has just launched a business selling food in her hometown of Kroonstad.

The business journey so far Over the past three years she has received overwhelming support from the business development sector and the community including the National Youth Development Agency which gave her equipment and a website.

Then the Small Enterprise Development Agency assisted her with the business plan, marketing material and exposure to attend their trade shows where she found herself in Ethiopia with the Department of Small Businesses attending the World Export Forum.

She concedes that even tough each day brings its own successes she has had some challenges.

“Running the business has been a roller-coaster ride because starting everything from scratch presents a lot of challenges especially when you have to tap into the market that is dominated by the big players.”

She laments difficulty to access retail market as one of the hardest challenges.

“In order to find yourself on the same retail shelves with the big guys you have to prove yourself. But things such as capacity, operational space and capital often are impediments to the process, because if it’s not this it’s another”.

Accolades S’busisiwe has also received recognition for her innovative idea. In 2019 she was first runner up for Standard Bank Top Women Free State, in August of the same year she won Agro Processor of the district, Department of Agriculture Awards Female Entrepreneur Awards.

After that she was able to graduate as an entrepreneur.

“I studied with the Entrepreneurship and Business Institute Programme in partnership with the University of the Free State and I was presented with two awards and my product was chosen as the Best Customer Focus of the Year in 2019 and New Business of the Year 2019 under the leadership of Dr Thabo Pitse of ActionCoach who is also her business coach”.

Lesson learnt: I had to learn to take baby steps. I’ve had to learn to understand that there are things that you may desire and want to achieve but sometimes you have to wait until the time is right and trust the process. Most importantly don't forget to pray and have faith in Father God.

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Trailblazers

USING SCIENCE TO SAVE THE EARTH

By Kamogelo Seekoei

Name: Dr Thandi Gumede Position: Researcher Faculty: Chemistry Institution: Central University of Technology

IW: You are a PhD holder, by right doctor and a researcher in the chemistry faculty, please tell us more about your work.

Dr Thandi Gumede (TG): My research focuses on the development of materials that will replace plastic, reduce waste and address the global problem of a shortage in landfill availability.

Biodegradable polymer are materials that can fully decompose to carbon dioxide, methane, water, biomass and inorganic compounds under aerobic or anaerobic conditions.

Most plastic products that are used in our everyday lives are resistant to biodegradation and they survive in the environment for a long time, forming a significant part of municipal solid waste, due to the difficulty of recycling or reuse caused by various levels of contamination.

IW: What inspired your interest in chemistry?

TG: My interest in chemistry was inspired by the realisation that chemistry is all around us. From the clothes we wear, to the products we use every day, chemistry has been involved in their development. As it is a multifaceted and ever-evolving subject, providing endless fascination, there are constantly new challenges and questions which must be answered.

IW: When did you qualify for your PhD and can you tell us the feeling following this mean feat?

24 IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NOMADIC

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TG: I qualified for my PhD on the 17 May 2019 at the University of the Free State.

I felt gratitude for all the help I received from my supervisors, family, and friends.

I felt satisfaction knowing that I have accomplished my goal of obtaining all my degrees in record time despite the challenges I encountered along the way. Still in 2019, I was selected amongst the top 20 young scientists in South Africa to participate in the 69th Lindau Nobel Laurette meeting which took place in Germany from 30 June to 5 July 2019. Attending the Lindau meeting gave me a chance to engage in global affairs while at the same time being exposed to new ways of thinking. It also enabled me to learn new research strategies and make new contacts with other researchers from different universities across the world.

IW: As a woman in academia, do you think that there has been enough transformation to allow women to thrive?

TG: Currently, there are about 3 392 NRF rated researchers in South Africa which consists of only 26% black, and 31% female. It is for this reason, that programmes or awards such as Women in Science awards, the L’ORÉAL-UNESCO for Women in Science

South African National Programme, Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP), and many more aim at transforming the profile of active black researchers within the South African National System of Innovation.

I do feel that in my field, chemistry is still dominated by males.

There is still a gap, but I believe that these programmes will help to narrow the gap and support young female scientists to thrive.

IW: How has your personal journey been given the challenges to advance?

TG: The journey has not been easy. When I was enrolled for undergraduate studies, I did not have funding. I had financial stress and relied on my parents for financial support. I felt like dropping out of university because I felt like it was too much for my parents. Post undergraduate studies, things became better.

As for my PhD, at the beginning of my studies, my supervisor relocated to Qatar University my co-supervisor was based in Spain. Basically, I was alone in South Africa.

SOUND ADVICE Never give up on your dreams. Your dreams are valid. The waiting can seem painful, but the outcome is always worth the wait. Don’t be afraid to reach your full potential, have courage, perseverance and above all, confidence.

Engineering a future for her students Name: Karina Fourie Position: Lecturer Faculty: Mechanical Engineering Institution: Central University of Technology

By Kamogelo Seekoei

Ignited Woman (IW): You are a lecturer in Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineering please tell us more about your work.

Karia Fourie (KF): Being a lecturer at the Mechanical Engineering department at Central University of Technology (CUT) mainly involves teaching the basic principles of engineering to students and testing the students to evaluate if they grasp the concepts.

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Part of my duties includes being an examiner for the subjects and I serve as moderator for other subjects to ensure the standards required for accreditation by the department of Higher Education and the Engineering Counsel of South Africa (ECSA) are upheld. My expertise are currently in the fields of design, mechanics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.

IW: How does your work impact society and your immediate community?

KF: Mechanical engineering is such a wide field that you can apply it in any facet of life. My aim when lecturing is not only for the students to achieve the end results, but also to equip them with the knowledge to use for improvement of their community.

Possibilities for improvement are all around us and armed with the basic understanding of engineering concepts, students can start to build their community and society at large before even graduating.

IW: What inspired or sparked your interest in this sector?

KF: I was always interested in how the world works and love seeing the mathematics in the world around us.

Engineering is where mathematics, science and the world all comes together on paper. As a teenager I didn’t know what the sector entails, but my father took me to study mechanical engineering, and the more knowledge I gained the more my interest sparked.

IW: Not a lot of people are Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineers; it takes a special kind of brain, can you tell us how it feels like for you?

KF: I don’t feel any more special working in the engineering sector than what any other person in a different field should feel. We all have a space where we fit and should contribute to our society. Working hard and being committed to make a special impact on the lives of others is what makes it special for me. This generally goes unnoticed, but every so often a student comes back and thank you for the things you have done for them and that is one of the best moments of teaching.

IW: As a woman in academia, do you think that there has been enough transformation to allow women to thrive?

KF: There has been tremendous strides for transformation in the sector, and it is good to observe that CUT is taking it serious to be part of this movement, availing opportunities in academia and all other sectors, allowing and women to thrive successfully.

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IW: How has your personal journey been given the challenges to advance?

KF: I have been blessed in my career with the support of my parents, colleagues and leaders at CUT to progress in my field. Though it was a challenge to obtain a master’s degree while working and giving my best as lecturer, it was rewarding to complete it. I find that challenges can be good as it helps you perform and ultimately become better.

IW: How has your personal journey been given the challenges to advance?

KF: I have been blessed in my career with the support of my parents, colleagues and leaders at CUT to progress in my field. Though it was a challenge to obtain a master’s degree while working and giving my best as lecturer, it was rewarding to complete it. I find that challenges can be good as it helps you perform and ultimately become better.

IW: What would your advice be to younger researchers who want to navigate their career to success?

KF: Be focused, be disciplined. Use your time wisely, but do make time to take a break and relax. Keep going, never stop if you fail. It is hard work, but it makes it so much more rewarding when you are successful. If it gets difficult, see it as a challenge to improve yourself. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the outcome.

Sound Advice: Be who you are, achieve your goals and aim higher so that you can be more than what society thinks you can be.

"

Be focused, be disciplined. Use your time wisely, but do make time to take a break and relax.

Charting a new frontier

By Kamogelo Seekoei

Name: Dr Lindelwa Sinxadi Position: Lecturer Faculty: Built Environment Institution: Central University of Technology

Ignited Woman (IW): You are a doctor and lecturer in the Built Environment faculty of the university; please tell us more about your work.

Dr Lindelwa Sinxadi (LS):My responsibility is mainly to teach students doing Bachelor Degree in Construction Management and Quantity Survey as well as postgraduate students enrolled for the PostGraduate Diploma in Construction in Urban Development. I also supervise research work for students both at CUT and University of the Free State. I have recently joined the Editorial Board of Sustainable Organisation (Frontiers in Sustainability) as the Reviewer Editor.

IW: What inspired or sparked your interest in this sector?

LS: I actually started my career as a teacher. Because of this passion, my late mother also encouraged me to pursue a career as a teacher. (Fast forward) to after becoming a head of department I decided to change careers and studied Urban and Regional Planning and worked for the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality as a town planner after obtaining Masters in Urban and Regional Planning. Helping students with their assignments and projects pulled me back in front of students, this time as a lecturer at a university.

IW: When did you qualify for your PhD? LS: I obtained PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning) in March 2020. This is a dream come true for me. The journey was not easy but I persevered. Through it all, honour and glory belongs to God who strengthened me.

My daughters, Katleho and Kutloano, gave me courage and were very patient with me.

IW: As a woman in academia, do you think that there has been transformation to allow women to thrive?

LS: I personally believe that transformation is a shared responsibility of both an institution and an individual. I started in academia in 2018 and I honestly cannot say much except that mindset of woman regarding transformation has to change. As women, we have to empower ourselves.

Transformation has to start from within. There are opportunities of research grants for women to pursue their careers, more job opportunities are opened up, mentorship programmes are established. It is important that women academics must navigate their way up.

IW: How about the built environment sector as a historically male dominated sector?

LS: I believe that women in built environment are underrepresented and South Africa is no exception. To achieve gender equality in the industry seem to be a difficult task. In order to address this, certain recommendations have been made, including effective implementation of policies, increased training for women and improvements on site conditions.

IW: How has your personal journey been given the challenges to advance?

LS: Personally, I experienced challenges that helped me to grow spiritually. All the challenges I faced, starting with the death of both my parents, divorce, car accident and raising my daughters alone thought me to be grateful to God for everything. They actually made me to run to God even more and have more faith in Him. John 16:33 keeps me going.

IW: What would your advice be to younger researchers who want to navigate their career to success?

LS: Hard work, determination and perseverance. Giving up is not an option. Planning and working on a schedule is very important.

You need a circle of people who will support, inspire and motivate you.

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Disruptors

BRICK BY BRICK

SETTING A NEW GIRL CODE

By Kamogelo Seekoei

WHEN we think of brick-making or anything that has to do with bricks for that matter, it is very seldom that we imagine women in stilettos doing the job.

Being a woman in construction Cracking the construction sector is not an easy feat and has most certainly not been a breeze for Mannini and Refilwe. But they have now found their groove.

We have this conventional image of masculine strong men putting concrete into brick moulds.

Despite the odds and the challenges that come with being a woman in a male dominated industry the duo continue to innovate and grow their brick making business.

But two Parys based women are slashing this narrative. As part of their day job the two put aside their stylish hairstyles and shoes and wear their blue overalls and safety boots, churn concrete to make bricks.

Law graduate and managing director Mannini Setai, and PhD candidate and operations director, Refilwe Mogale, are the founders of Ahang Amalgamate Construction, which is based in Parys north of the Free State.

The company was established in 2016 when the duo saw a gap in their community and identified an opportunity to start a brick making business.

Beyond starting a business they wanted to inspire young women while addressing the unemployment rate in their community.

“I also like the unconventional, so this kind of business was right up my alley,” says Mannini, who also handles the administration and legal aspect of the business.

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Refilwe says as much as there are more women owned businesses in the sector there is still more that can be done to ensure that the industry is transformed.

“I think the idea of having women run businesses in this sector and in particular us running a brickmaking business has become less shocking to most people.

That being said we recognize that there can be so much done to ensure that more women have access to this industry,” says Mannini.

"

I would say choose your partner wisely. Make sure that you share the same vision and values, put contracts in place that “guide” the business relationship,”

Innovating For Refilwe who is a currently pursuing her PhD I chemistry says her field of study has taught her problem-solving skills, patience and perseverance.

However, as much as this a great assert agreements are an essential part of any business.

“I would say choose your partner wisely. Make sure that you share the same vision and values, put contracts in place that “guide” the business relationship,” she says.

She says her research background has enabled her to look at the construction industry and its materials from a sustainable development perspective and to pursue business opportunities in the alternative materials space.

Sustaining the business Nothing beats hard work, says Mannini.

Establishing good customer and supplier relations and constantly innovating your business also goes a long way.

“Experimenting with science will show that things do not always work out the way you planned. And just because one method did not work, it does not mean that the entire project has failed,” she says.

She says they have maintained these relations and find their immediate community to be extremely supportive.

Part of their success comes from always knocking on new doors and diversifying their portfolio after a certain period to keep abreast of any new trends.

“Instead try something else until you find something that work,” she adds.

Partnerships and business Business partnerships require mutual respect and a very clear understanding from all partners what the vision and mission of the business is.

Futhermore an agreement between all parties involves save guards everyone’s interest in the business.

“This mutual respect is coupled with drive and an incredible work ethic between the two of us and it’s an endeavour that required both sets of skills that we have,” Mannini says.

Refilwe believes that a partnership is important because it offers support especialy in the lonely founding stages of the business.

“There are certain challenges that you face as an entrepreneur that nobody else can understand and as a start-up it becomes overwhelming at times.

So when you have a partner that you work well with, that person becomes a support that understands your struggle, because they are in it with you.

Also in terms of workload, it helps to have someone to share the work with as opposed to doing everything on your own because things do become hectic and overwhelming,” she confesses.

“The local municipality, government stakeholders and the greater Parys community are the back bone of our continued success.

The pair has had to strategise on how to diversify our supply stream and form new relations in an effort to stay afloat whilst maintaining our current clients.

They are working on setting up and moving into a new site to accommodate the growth of the business and the diversification of their product offering which includes renewable energy research center and a consultancy division.

"

This mutual respect is coupled with drive and an incredible work ethic between the two of us and it’s an endeavour that required both sets of skills that we have.

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Food

Spicy Boerewors and Cabbage Pasta INGREDIENTS 200g durum wheat macaroni 15ml sunflower oil 10ml crushed garlic 1 onion, diced 2.5ml Robertsons Crushed Chillies (optional) 500g boerewors, sliced (casing intact) ¼ small head cabbage, shredded 2 tomatoes, diced 450ml water 1 x KNORR Spaghetti Bolognaise Dry Cook-inSauce 15ml fresh parsley, chopped

Big Black Mushrooms filled with Quinoa and Three Cheese Pasta Sauce

1 small red onion, chopped 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 250ml fresh corn kernels 5ml (1 tsp) cumin 5ml (1 tsp) smoked paprika 125ml (½ cup) cooked quinoa 8 portabello mushrooms (black mushrooms) olive oil, for drizzling KNORR Three Cheese Pasta Sauce 250ml water 60g grated mozzarella

Complied by Basetsana Makhalemele

Game Changer

INSPIRING BUSINESS GROWTH THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

By Kamogelo Seekoei

Working for a multinational company that has become one of the best workplaces for women and boasts diversity stats that sit well when compared against industry averages is something that HP Inc Central Africa Managing Director, Ify Afe, hold close to her heart.

At HP Inc she takes care of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Angola and Libya.

In addition to being an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Ify is a seasoned Business Executive with over 12 years of experience in IT sales and business management.

She takes time to speak to our editor about her company's role in advancing small businesses on the continent.

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Ignited Woman (IW): You are a well-respected figure in the technology space in Africa; can you tell us what attracted you to this industry?

Ify Afe (IA): I am passionate about what technology can bring into my life and the lives of others. Today, I am grateful that I am a part of a multinational company that has become one of the best workplaces for women and youth and boasts diversity stats that sit well when compared against industry averages.

Diversity and Inclusion is the foundation of everything that we do at HP. It drives new business, fuels innovation, and attracts and retains the best employees. Our own research has shown that this is particularly relevant for women – of whom 70% are interested in roles in the tech industry and 45% are open to technical roles.

IW: You have immense experience in the sector; how do you think the tech industry has impacted lives, especially the lives of business owners over the years?

IA: Technology has changed the way companies conduct business by enabling small businesses, women, and youth to level the playing field.

Business owners can use technology to reduce business costs and put this towards empowering employees. Technology allows businesses to be able to focus on driving better customer experiences, while empowering employees to focus on contributing more to the overall success of the business. If business owners have not already started, they should consider implementing technology in their planning

process for a streamlined integration and to make room for future expansion.

Especially now after as we move into a new phase post-COVID19.

COVID-19 introduced great challenges. But what we have learned is that we need to make changes to the way that we live, study and work, and the answer to this is technology.

IW: Small businesses on the African continent have not fully embraced technology in their establishments; how do you encourage such businesses to embrace tech?

IA: In today's rapidly changing economy, customers are demanding an always-on experience. We have seen it with COVID-19. The pandemic has massively accelerated the need for businesses, big and small, to improve and automate their business processes. It is not easy to embrace this change, it takes time, patience but most importantly the willingness to learn new skills. That is why in collaboration with the Ekurhuleni West TVET College in Katlehong and its Centre of Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator, HP opened the HP LIFE Center in South Africa.

HP Life is a technology-enabled hub to facilitate learning, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.

HP LIFE offers entrepreneurs 30 free, online courses focused on business and IT skills – from business planning and digital marketing, to raising capital and design thinking.

Small businesses need to understand that technology is changing the employment and work landscape. If small businesses do not embrace the change, they risk being left behind and becoming irrelevant. Unemployment is also one of the biggest challenges in the country.

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IW: Technology offers a myriad of opportunities for small businesses; but how can women in particular tap into this space and make it work for them?

IA: Many women entrepreneurs in the tech sector across Africa are working to use technology as a force for social change. The start-up ecosystem in Africa is growing from strength to strength and innovative entrepreneurs across the continent are leveraging technology to turn the challenges into opportunities. Women in this space, such as those that we support through HP LIFE, require more support. Financial literacy training helps with building a solid foundation for their business Supporting these female entrepreneurs is vital to their sustained growth, as they become selfsufficient and able to provide for themselves and their families. This also has a positive impact on their immediate communities, with knowledge transfer and employment opportunities being created.

IW: Let's talk about tech barriers for small businesses in this age of 4IR; how can we overcome this, especially in rural parts of the country and the continent, which tend to have little or no access to tech?

IA: 4IR is a developing environment in which disruptive technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things, robotics and artificial intelligence are changing the way we live, study and work. The rise of digital adoption represents tremendous potential for inclusive growth across every part of Africa.

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African women and youth have the best ideas on how to make the continent better. All it takes is giving them opportunities.

The continent’s burgeoning youth population, which is expected to grow by more than 50% by 2050, presents a significant opportunity to create a demographic dividend, unlocking further investment in digital infrastructure and creating a more robust and inclusive workforce. To stir this to the economy, governments must create the space to allow innovation to flourish.

African countries should also unite to create a digital single market in which women and girls can generate the opportunities entrepreneurs and investors need to stimulate innovation for the continent. The free trade zone agreement is a fantastic opportunity to boost Africa's social economic growth.

IW: Your work is on the entire continent; how do you see women rising and changing the continent?

IA: Women in Africa make great businesspeople.

We have a stronger need to get things done and are more willing to take risks than our male counterparts. This is because we are considered the underdog, no one ever expects to see great things from us. I have seen it play out in my own life story. A professional turning point in my career was when I accepted to launch an initiative for a company I worked for in the past. No one believed I could overcome the social, racial, and religious differences. Yet, when you must rely on yourself, you discover qualities deep within you that take you further than what you and other people expected.

African women are daring to push open the doors of boards, and take the risk of discovering a new framework, to learn new things.

We are seeing it technology, agriculture, hair care and so on. If we can continue to this in other sectors, we can see great success in the continent. The World Economic Forum (WEF) released a study noting that 75 million jobs worldwide will be displaced by technology by 2022, but 133 million will be created, many of which will be enhanced by technology in some way.

At HP we also approach our gender equity advocacy by elevating the voices of women and girls. We partnered with UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and we signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand digital learning opportunities for women and girls in five priority countries: South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Morocco.

IW: What is the trend; are men embracing technology more than women are in their businesses?

IA: If we want to increase the number of girls and women to join the business world, we must motivate and inspire other women by sharing what is possible. This battle is not a battle of men against women, it is a battle so that women can also get a chance at opportunities. I try to share my personal story as much as I can. Today, I am grateful that I am a part of a multinational company that has become one of the best workplaces for women and boasts diversity stats that sit well when compared against industry averages.

IW: There are however pockets of excellence where tech has been embraced fully and is lucrative for those using it; how do we leverage on this knowledge and distribute it to others?

IA: When you look at the countries that have grown in the fastest possible manner - like the two largest economies in the world, China and the USA - they have invested in development and innovation. This is where the future of Africa lies.

I want my team and our partners to help governments and key decision makers understand how important technology is for the growth and development of the African continent.

Black Girl Magic

Rising against all odds and chasing her dreams

By Basetsana Makhalemele

IT is a well-known fact that some of the best tasting wines in the world are sources right here in South Africa. The most beautiful wineries and sought after wine experts are based in the wines routes and valleys of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Constantia and Franschhoek in the Western Cape of our country.

The wine route is also where some of the country’s oldest wine money can be found.

Yet historically the wine industry in South Africa belongs to just a select few.

It is no wonder that there is a crop young South Africans who are taking on this industry.

They too want to create a legacy and wealth from fermented grapes – times oldest and the world most loved fruity beverage – yes, wine.

One of these young people who are bringing a renaissance into the wine

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industry is Free State born Refiloe Mokoena, founder of Refiloe Wines, selfpublished author and entrepreneur.

Refiloe has always had desires of having her own wine brand as a young girl and now she aiming to build an empire for herself and her family by following her dreams.

She launched her wine business in June 2020, producing her own exquisite merlot.

"It has always been my desire to have my own name as a brand, says the Qwa Qwa born.

Refiloe Wines is distributed globally, from the farms and cellars of Stellenbosch.

She is currently planning to expand her business with a whiskey brand.

She concedes that getting her wine exported has not been easy and COVID19 has thrown the spanner in the works.

“It has not been an easy journey as a young black woman to gather the

"Never give up on your dreams no matter the challenges you come across.

The road to success is not easy but needs focus and determination"

information and resources from the wine industries, as people do not volunteer information out.

"I battled looking for the information about wine cellars and wine farms but found a lot on the internet about Stellenbosch wine farms and eventually got the information that I needed," she says.

After gathering the right information, Refiloe negotiated with relevant people who helped her create her wine brand.

She admits that as a wine brand owner it is difficult being in a male and white dominated industry. "It is difficult in a sense that you are not given that recognition as producers, especially in this world where men are made to be "believed" as the only leaders in most projects," she says.

The biggest challenge encountered in this industry is finance she laments.

"It is expensive to create your own wine brand.

Eventually I managed to put my finances in order,” she adds.

She published her book titled The story of my Life in July 2019, in which she speaks about her life experiences. "I wrote the book as a way of healing myself by venting out the information that I had kept as secrets for years" she says.

There are many abuse cases happening in South Africa and have never been reported, she says.

Refiloe is highly against all gender based violence and standing up for all the victims who experience it.

Her hopes with the book are to reach the lives of many in this world to heal, motivate and encourage the hurting souls.

Her highlights have been getting the tittle of an author and wine owner. Having her own book and wine that is distributed nationally in the provinces under her name just name a few.

She is now driven by determination and focus to thrive and to keep going forward and says giving up to make her dreams a reality is not an option for her.

Refiloe took it upon herself as an activist against abuse to stand up for the people who are experiencing various type of abuse but are hiding to come out and report their cases by writing this book.

Future for RM wines: "I want Refiloe Wines to dominate the black business markets. As it is my calling to lead and pave a way for the aspiring entrepreneurs," she adds.

"Dealing with sexual assault at the age of 9 years and could not express my emotions until this old age.

Dealing with depression and anxiety disorders and single parenting but nobody knew the emotional frustrations that I was dealing with daily." she says.

Sound advice: "Never give up on your dreams no matter the challenges you come across. "The road to success is not easy but needs focus determination".

and

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Ignited Woman

THE MAN WITH A PLAN There is a new man in town and he is here for maximum impact and to ratify himself as a force in the marketing space. Media sales expert, motivational speaker and founder of KOPSMEDIA, Kopano Lebethe, has officially arrived at Ignited Woman headquarters and already making his presence felt.

He chats to Ignited Woman’s content creator, Basetsana Makhalemele, about his journey in the industry and his plans for the magazine.

Marketing journey

Plans for Ignited Woman

Kopano immediately declares that he has always had

Kopano is now the head of sales and is looking

passion for sales from an early age.

forward to working with the Ignited Woman

And getting into the industry he expanded his

magazine team.

According to Kopano we each have to

passion to wanting to see brands grow unknown to

"My main task is to sell space and contribute to its

household name.

recognize that we are what our future will be.

content. I head up sales division within Kanna

“Whatever regrets you may have, you have to

Media, selling advertising space on Ignited Woman.

learn from them and start creating the life that

"My first formal entry into marketing was when I worked at 999 Music marketing artists such as Aba Shante, Arthur Mafokate and may more," he says.

He started his media buying agency, marketing and

When Kamo got referred to me, we clicked and I love her brand," he says.

His vision for the company is to have a team of three

you want. Everything is within you,” he says.

Being at peace within himself and loving life is what keeps him going and to be on top of his

events company at the age of 27 and has been in

to six people within the sales division.

business for 19 years. He also has another company,

"I plan to build a formidable team of and shape the

game.

Kops Communications & Projects, which has been

division into

"I am very passionate in everything I do," says Kopano.

operating for 10 year.

He has worked with big companies like Coca-Cola

The ultimate is to see the readership of the

Southern and East Africa, MTN and now Coca-Cola

magazine at our set target and more companies and

SA.

brands buying ad space. Not just that we now want multi-year contract," he says.

In 2005 Kopsmedia had to close down for two years to prepare for a relaunch which became a challenge but managed to rise with a more determined.

In 2019 KOPSMEDIA saw its rebirth and merged with Kops Communications & Projects.

Through these companies Kopano creates strategies

Motivational talks Not only is Kopano an entrepreneur and an expert in the marketing space, he is also a pillar for many people who need motivation. As a motivational speaker he believes that he is a living proof that upbringing is a start to a better life.

for clients and open new doors for them.

"I have shared positive love and unity from when I “This is a service more than anything and I am happy

was young. For many years up to 2019 I have

to be rendering this service to Ignited Woman

shared my up downs in life with people I came

magazine because I believed this publication has so

across in motivating them", he says.

much potential and the work it’s doing is so impactful.”

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Sound Advice: Only you can bring the growth or positive change you wish for. You matter and are number one before anyone else.