AWIEF Awards finalists announced

Johannesburg - An independent panel of judges that included two past African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Lifetime Achievement Award winners have selected the 24 finalists across eight categories.

These outstanding women entrepreneurs and business leaders represent companies from a diverse range of sectors and operating in 12 African countries that include South Africa, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria,

Senegal,Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony and gala dinner, sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS) at the AWIEF2022 conference on 26 and 27 September in Cairo, Egypt and also virtually.

For the Young Entrepreneur Award the finalists are Gisèla Van Houcke, founder and CEO of Zuri Luxury Hair and Beauty, DR Congo; Nadine Farrag, CEO and founder of Farahy, Egypt; and Stacey Onyango, director of Minkoti Agencies Limited, Kenya.

For the Tech Entrepreneur Award they are Faith Mokgalaka, founder and CEO of Puno Greenery, South Africa; Sahar Salama, founder and CEO of TPAY Mobile, Egypt; and Thato Mabudusha Schermer, cofounder and CEO of Zoie Health Technologies, South Africa.

For the Agri Entrepreneur Award they are Esther Kimani, founder of Farmer Lifeline Technologies, Kenya; Grace Kariuki, CEO of Origen Group, Kenya; and Korka Diaw, president of Réseau des Agricultrices du Nord, Senegal.

For the Energy Entrepreneur Award it is Diana Mbogo, managing director of Millennium Engineers Enterprises Limited, Tanzania; Judith Marera, founder and CEO of Lanforce Energy, Zimbabwe; and Mona Al Adawy, found-

Programme to refine business growth

er and CEO of GeoEnergy Petroleum Services, Egypt.

In the Creative Industry Award there is Abai Schulze, founder and creative director of ZAAF Collection, Ethiopia; Barbara KambaNyathi, CEO for Bold Dialogue, Zimbabwe; and Vénicia Guinot, chairwoman of Tropics Group of Companies, South Africa.

For the Social Entrepreneur Award it is Barbara Afia, founder of Honour-Barbara Centre for Speech, Ghana;

Johanna Cloete, managing director of GEN Namibia, Namibia; and Lumbie Mlambo, founder and CEO of JB Dondolo, Zimbabwe.

In the Empowerment Award there is Martha Alade, founder, Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), Nigeria; Teresa Njoroge, founder and CEO of Clean Start Solution, Kenya; and Velveeta Viban, founder and executive director of I’m Human Org, Cameroon.

The Lifetime Achievement Award has Dalia Ibrahim, CEO of Nahdet Misr Publishing House, Egypt; Manal Amin, CEO of Arabize, Egypt; Nomhle Mliswa, CEO of Summerhill Farms, Zimbabwe.

Tavern burglars arrested in CBD

“Investigation revealed that the suspects broke into the Jozi City basement tavern and stole the music system”

Johannesburg - On Monday police arrested three suspects between the ages of 37 and 40 for business breaking and possession of suspected stolen property at corner Kruis and Commissioner streets in the Joburg CBD.

Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said officers on routine crime prevention noticed three suspicious men carrying music system gadgets and loading them into a Kia bakkie.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects broke into the Jozi City basement tavern and stole the music system, and investigation is underway,” he said.

He added that Johannesburg Central station commander Brigadier Perumal commended swift response in arresting the suspects.

Johannesburg - The SAB Foundation has called for entrepreneurs to apply to its Tholoana Enterprise Programme.

The foundation’s entrepreneurship development mission is to unlock business development support and investment that helps entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that can create jobs.

This year, the foundation recruits up to 60 entrepreneurs from different industry sectors to join the programme, prioritising those from businesses owned and managed by women, youth, people living in rural areas and those with disabilities. Participants will be supported in refining their growth strategy, setting up business systems, improving investment readiness and unlocking market access opportunities.

Participants will receive extensive entrepreneurial skills development, mentorship,and access to investment and market activation support.

Among the eligibility criteria are that the business is operational and has been trading for at least 12 months; it is black-owned and managed; and is headquartered and registered in South Africa. Applications are also welcome from businesses working in sectors such as agriculture, export, manufacturing, food processing, water, energy and waste management.

SAB Foundation entrepreneurship development programme manager Xoliswa Moraka says entrepreneurs who participate in the Tholoana Enterprise Programme enter the programme seeking solutions to help scale their growth.

“To succeed and sustain that growth they require strategic, personalised and comprehensive support to help realise their full potential,” Moraka adds.

Since 2015, the Tholoana Enterprise Programme has impacted hundreds of small businesses across South Africa. Entrepreneurs who have been through the programme have consistently increased their performance. In 2020 the small businesses supported through the programme employed an estimated 2 442 people, and have a combined turnover of R326 million.

Applications are open and will close on 31 August. For more visit https://sabfoundation.co.za/tholoana-enterprise-programme.

“Determine what your career aspirations are and find mentors who can help you obtain skills you need. Efforts are being made for the engineering industry to transform. Many women excel in the industry and have paved the way for others to have better experiences than they did. Diversity brings strength and more women are needed in the industry. There are many roles as an engineer, you just need to find one that suits you.”