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MENTHER MAGAZINE TOP SOCIAL IMPACT FOUNDERS LIST 2021
Top Social Impact Founders List 2021
MentHer believes in not only empowering women, but also celebrating them. We are celebrating our first full year of publishing our newly established digital magazine. What better way to mark this achievement than to acknowledge the impact that social entrepreneurs have made in society during these trying times. In our September issue we put out a call for nominations of female founders running an organisation that has a social impact and we were so impressed with the nominees put forward from across the African continent and abroad. The criteria for nominees was that they had to be female founders, operating a social impact focused organisation that is formally registered and running longer than 6 months. We received over 50 nominations and worked through the list to select the top 20 looking at the amount of impact they’ve had in terms of revenue or grant funding generated, number of people employed or volunteers in service, number of people impacted through their work, percentage ownership by female founders and women of colour, consideration for the LGBTIA+ community, inclusion of persons with disabilities and alignment with the sustainable development goals. The 20 finalists represented here collectively represent a combined 90 years of social impact work, over 140 jobs created, more that R 14 million in annual revenue or grant funding and over 171 000 lives impacted. We hope you are as inspired by them as we are, here’s your Top 20 Social Impact Founders List 2021.
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LUNTU
Conscious Shopping, Made Easy Passion to Unify and Empower my Sisters
Why did you start?
I started LUNTU because I wanted to easily shop from local businesses & support our economy. I checked to see if there was a platform like LUNTU where I can can shop consciously - support local, marginalised business owners & the environment - but I didn’t find one. There was a gap in the market & I decided to fill it. While I was at business school I learned that SMME growth is part of our National Development Plan but local businesses struggle to grow. It’s important for local businesses to grow to close the racial income gap, unemployment & boost our economy.
About the organisation:
Registration type: For-profit Business website: www.luntu.co Instagram handle: @luntu.co % ownership by women: 100% Years operating: 1 year Driven by my passion to unify and empower my sisters, in 2013 I started annual weekend sessions with my sisters and cousins. In these sessions I share my knowledge and experience to empower others, I also invite those who love doing the same. Seeing the impact these sessions had in my family, I was inspired to avail the same platform to other families, girls and women in general. Through the Sister K Foundation, we assist women to realise their true worth and inspire them in becoming the best versions of themselves and fulfilling their purpose.
About the organisation:
Registration type: For-profit Operating country RSA Business website: Under Construction Instagram handle: @sisterk_foundation % ownership by women: 75% Years operating: 1 year
Educated, Elite Black Society Contextualised & Relateable Period Information
Growing up in the dusty streets of Alexandra township I realised that education was a section that was ignored the most in the hood. Opportunities to further one’s education were often limited to A students. I myself as an A student realised the grave need for change. I took it upon myself to be that agent for change and found a solution that caters for all learners regardless of their marks or academic standing. I started Growth SA, now known as Atlegang Growth SA as a platform to expose learners in townships to an endless stream of educational opportunities. I wanted them to have a fair fighting chance in life, to dream and achieve more than what their surroundings tell them that they are worth.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation:
Atlegang Growth South Africa(PTY)Ltd Website: Coming Soon Instagram handle: _growthsa Industry: Education Years operating: 2 Years Country Headquarters: RSA
MPHO MOTLOUNG
PetalsSA Period Box
We offer contextualised and relateable period information to menstruators and non menstruators through our social media platforms. We create fun and easy to understand information that is easy to digest even for a 9 year old that just started their period. We also sell period boxes that are packed with period products, selfcare goodies and sweets and snacks to make that time of the month a little bearable.
Our period box comes in a reusable box that the owner can decorate with the stickers we provide and keep as their keepsake box afterward.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: PetalsSA Period Box Website: www.petalsperiodbox.co.za Instagram handle: @PetalsSA Industry: Education Years operating: 11 Months Country Headquarters: South Africa
Personal Growth Mentor Youth & Women Development
Seeing people awaken, transformed and create powerful results in their lifes is why I started this social entrepreunship journey.
It is my calling to support people with my gift which helps people living in the power of the now and heal their trauma. And experience more beauty and peace. We are currently at the scaling stage of our business with over tens of thousands of customers and we aim to secure more joint venture partnerships in order to sustain and grow our organisation
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation:
The Mahima Mindset Website: www.themahimamindset.com
Instagram handle:
@mahimamindset Industry: Training Years operating: 5 Years Country Headquarters: Switzerland
MUNEERAH BARNES
Kholo Academy
Kholo Academy a for profit company based in South Africa birthed through a passion for developing the youth and women. As a hundred percent woman of colour owned company Kholo Academy has been operating for the past twelve months with a small staff comprising of two permanent and a handful of volunteers.
What keeps you going?
The exponential impact I could have on one person and their economic participation
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation:
Kholo Academy Website: www.kholoacademy.co.za
Instagram handle:
@kholoacademy Industry: Training Years operating: 1 Years Country Headquarters: South Africa
RASHEDA KAMARIA WILLIAMS
EmPOWERed Flower Girl
Empowered Flower Girl A helping hand
Ilaunched Empowered Flower Girl to empower young people who were experiencing bullying as well as other social challenges. I wanted to help them and the adults who work with them. Young people have amazing potential to create change. Empowered Flower Girl gives them the confidence, tools and support to do so.
What keeps you going?
I am inspired by the many amazing young people we’ve trained and recognized as well as their potential to make an impact in the future.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: EmPOWERed Flower Girl Industry Education and consulting Website:
www.empoweredflowergirl.com
Instagram handle:
@empoweredflowergirl
Years operating:
11 year
SEEMA NAIDOO
Hope to Heal Foundation
Ifaught a 6 year legal battle and the justice system failed me. I made a commitment to offer services to women and children who are failed by the justice system. I had no idea that I will be working with the most henious organised crime in the world, Human Trafficking. Today I am working with national and global stakeholders in the field of human trafficking.
What keeps you going?
My passion to help the undeserved citizens of this world is what pushes me to do more. I want to see visible positive change in every community and people living free from violence, abuse and exploitation.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Hope to Heal Foundation Industry: Civil Society
Website: www.hopetoheal.org.za
Instagram handle:
@seema_hope_to_heal_foundation
LISA MGCOTYELWA
Amazi SHEtribe Ecosystem of Impactful
AMAZI is an ecosystem of impactful offerings that empowers women to become economically active. We are a SHEtribe of women that come together to create opportunities for other women who are marginalised and excluded.
We do this by encouraging and enabling women to invest in their self-care and self-development through the AMAZI ecosystem of AMAZI Nail Bars, AMAZI Products and AMAZI Digital tooling platform.. Our mission is to direct your Rands in a meaningful way to fund that change through our Impact solutions through our Rands and Change eco-system.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: AMAZI SHETRIBE Industry: Education And Wellness Website: www.amazishetribe.com Instagram handle: @amazishetribe Years operating: 5 Year Country Headquarters: South Africa
JUDI SANDROCK
MaxIQ Space Space Stem Programmes
Seeing a young person realise that they can participate in the global space economy is what drives this cutting edge technology company from United State of America. Lead by a dynamic director and officer Judi Sandrock, the company aims to grow from strength to strength in their efforts in offering Space programs to the youth. Bringing Space STEM opportunties to youngsters in communites which have never had access before.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: MaxIQ Space Years operating: 6 year Industry: Space programs for students Website: www.maxiq.space Instagram handle: @MaxIQ Space Country Headquarters: USA Years Operating: 7 Years
TAMMY GREYLING
Clothes to Good
Empowering Mothers, Children with disabilities
Clothes to Good is a textile recycling and disability empowerment organisation. We empower mothers of children with disabilities through micro-business development, create employment opportunities for people with disabilities and their families. We work extensively in the ECD (Early Childhood Development) space, providing resources to low-resourced ECD centres produced by people with disabilities and made mostly from recycled materials and training to teachers.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Clothes to Good Years operating: 10 Years Industry: Textile/Fashion/recycling/Disability Website: www.clothestogood.com Instagram handle: @clothes2good Country Headquarters: South Africa
AMANDA SOKANYILE
Oyisa
Opportunities for young women to access tools to succeed
Oyisa operates as a charitable organization with multiple programs, activities and services that directly and indirectly promote the wellbeing of young women.
Oyisa creates opportunities for these young women to have access to tools that will assist in creating healthy lifestyles, initiate sustainable careers, and building communities that value sustainability and consistence.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Oyisa_za
Years operating: 2 Years
Industry: Youth development and empowerment
% Ownership by Women: 100% Instagram handle: @Oyisa_za Country Headquarters: South Africa
MARTHA SHUMBA
SheDad Foundation Transforming Boys & Men in Africa
We are a catalyst for the positive transformation of the boy child and men in Africa. It is an educational and life coaching concept designed to address attitude imbalance among young adults within our society through moral and psychological training that help them get their rightful position as leaders in family and the society we live in that is “raising responsible men”.
We do this through coaching, mentoring, skills development programs, art and sports, identifying and nurturing their talents.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: SheDad Foundation Industry: Education and Consulting
Website: www.foundation.shedad.co.za Instagram handle: @shedadfoundation
Country Headquarters:
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda Years operating: 3 Year
MPHO LEKGETHO
John Taolo Gaetsewe district is a rural District with more than 165 rural villages , ther is a need to adress child and youth care development, issues affecting women and children, career development , HIV and AIDS and other chronic illnesses including non communicable disease and gender based violence and femicide, this initiative was started to adress such, to be able to transform women and girls potential to achievement, many people do not know their purposeand we exist to help them discover their purpose.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Marang Career Information Centre Industry Community Development
Registration type: Non-Profit Organisation Country Headquarters: South Africa Years operating: 5 Year
SAIRIS LUCIA BUGERHA
Pugu Hills Eco Cultural Tourism
Commited to Tourism and Protecting Nature
Afemale led community based eco and cultural tourism enterprise located at Kisarawe District 25km south west of Dar es salaam city. We are committed at offering tourism activities that are focusing on both nature and local experience while respecting and protecting both nature and community. We are legal entity registered with Tanzania Tourist Board under cultural tourism progam. In a nutshell we are gender, environmental and community sensitive cultural tourism enterprise.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Pugu Hills Eco Cultural Tourism
Years operating: 6 year
Industry: Travel & Tourism
Website: www.puguhills.co.tz Instagram handle: @puguhillsecoculturaltourism
Country Headquarters: Tanzania
Years Operating: 7 Years
ZAMANTUNGWA KHUMALO
I Love my Body Self Love and Self Care
We provide mobile beauty therapy treatments while promoting self-love and self-care among women. We also run a sanitary pad drive where we collect and distribute sanitary pads to women in need in the community of Umgababa in Durban. We have also started selling self-care products to help contribute towards sanitary pad drive. sa operates as a charitable organization with multiple programs, activities and services that directly and indirectly
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: I Love my Body
Years operating: 6 year
Industry: Beauty and Wellness
Website: Comings Soon Instagram handle: @ilovemybodyza
Country Headquarters: South Africa
Years Operating: 7 Years
LUNGIE MNYAMANA
Eminent Pearl Communication
MARKETING WITH PURPOSE
We partner with brands and organisations that want to make an impact in society through purpose driven marketing and behaviour change programs. We align purpose to brand which is the strategy part, come up with programs that bring that purpose to life which is the implementation part. We then help brands communicate that better to stretch their impact. What keeps us going is seeing people’s lives change along the way and working towards something so the next person who comes after me does not start from scratch because I began.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Eminent Pearl Communication
Years operating: 2 year
Industry: Beauty and Wellness
Website: www.eminentpearl.co.za Instagram handle: @Eminent.pearl
Country Headquarters: South Africa ZIZIPHO NTOBONGWANA
Sheba Feminine
REVOLUTIONISING PERIOD
Sheba Feminine is a proudly South African brand created by women, revolutionising the way people who menstruate, experience periods and rediscover pride in their bodies. We believe in no compromises to menstrual care and have therefore created an expansive organic and biodegradable feminine health product range which includes organic cotton and biodegradable tampons, sanitary pads, pantyliners, menstrual cups and bamboo wet wipes. We have also curated an online space where you can access reproductive and sexual health education. A place where we can all access the information we need in order to make well informed and healthy decisions for ourselves and the planet.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Sheba Feminine Industry: FMCG Manufacturing
Website: www.shebafeminine.co.za Instagram handle: @shebafeminine Number of employees: 3 Years
Country Headquarters: South Africa
DIANA MARCELLIN MUSARA
Earthly Touch Solution
ERADICATION OF PLASTIC POLLUTION BRIDGING GAPS FOR WOMEN TO START
Eartly Touch Solution offers alternative, innovative and affordable building material that is environmentally friendly. This was driven by a passion to contribute the eradication of plastic pollution whilst at the same time offer decent shelters, help create jobs and skills in communities we operate in.
The business was born out of the need to build a classroom for Khensani’s Collection, an organisation I had taken over which offers extra classes to students in Diepsloot. students in Diepsloot.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Earthly Touch Solution Indusry: Construction Website: www.earthlytouchfoundation.com www.earthlytouchsolutions.co.za Instagram handle: @earthlytouchfoundation Number of employees: 2 Years Country Headquarters: South Africa
MARY YVONNE ODODAH
Jarumi Consulting Ltd
When the pandemic hit, more women than men lost their jobs and many sought to turn to self-employment as a means to survive, but the gaps in understanding how a business works and how to sustain this was too wide. Jarumi was started to identify gaps and help women in start ups run successful businesses. Throughout the journey, what keeps me going is my family, the drive to see change, being told no or I am not capable of achieving something drives me to want to achieve even higher than the limits set. My curiosity. My motto: It always seems impossible until it’s done.
About the organisation:
Name of Organsation: Jarumi Consulting Ltd Indusry: Business & Project Management Website: www.jarumiconsulting.co.ke Instagram handle: @jarumiconsulting Number of employees: 1 Year 2 Months Country Headquarters: Kenya
