Women making waves in South African business

South African women are turning heads and getting attention in many sectors of business as they progress as entrepreneurs. According to data from Mastercard's Index of Women Entrepreneurs, South Africa is one of a small number of economies where women's entrepreneurial activity rates have increased in spite of the effects of COVID-19. There are many stories of South African businesswomen who have overcome unimaginable hardships and succeeded beyond all expectations. 3Cube Property Solutions celebrates National Women's Month by introducing some of the South African businesswomen who are transforming the future of their industries.

Zandile Mkwanazi is taking on the tech gender gap

Mkwanazi is the founder of GirlCode, a social enterprise that is on a mission to empower 10 million women and girls with the tech skills that will get them ahead by 2030. Every August, Mkwanazi and her organisation host a GirlCode Hackathon in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. This programme sees young female IT students and graduates working together to create a website, game or mobile app.

GirlCode also holds various training and outreach programmes and in 2021, Mkwanazi was recognised for her efforts when she was named the Santam Social Entrepreneur of the year. This accolade is awarded to a female entrepreneur who is making a real difference in her community.

Palesa Mokubung is taking the fashion world by storm

Mokubung's fashion brand is called Mantsho and it reached the world stage when it became the first African label to be sold in 11 countries by world-renowned Swedish retailer H&M. While the brand is not new - it has been on shelves and runways since 2004 - it continues to showcase our home-grown talent and be noticed on the world stage. The word "Mantsho" is Sesotho, and means "black is beautiful". The theme of beauty runs throughout Mokubung's fashion range, and in a quote found in The Insider SA, she explains that she takes pride in dressing South African women in the South African shape. "The idea...is for people to have fun when getting dressed," she shared.

Dineo Lioma is revolutionising the world of biotechnology

Having completed postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, Lioma returned to South Africa because she wanted to make a difference at home in the fields of micro and nanotechnology. And make a difference she has. Lioma is the founder of Deep Medical Therapeutics, a company working to leverage the power of artificial intelligence in the field of medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lioma was the co-creator of a diagnostic kit that meant the South African government did not have to rely on imported kits. Her ongoing innovation has seen Lioma nominated as one of Forbes Woman Africa's Top 20 Wealth Creators.

Nneile Nkholise is making a difference in diverse fields

Not many people would excel in both biotechnology and animal husbandry - but then again, most people are not Nneile Nkholise. The string of accolades behind Nkholise's name includes being named the top female innovator in Africa in 2016 and 2018. She has also been named on the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list. Nkholise is the mind behind iMED Technology, a producer of competitively priced medical prostheses and bio-implants. In doing so, she has made an immeasurable difference in the lives of those who have lost a limb.

Over and above her work in the medical field, Nkholise founded 3DIMO, a company that uses technology to help farmers trace their livestock. No matter what industry she is working in, Nkholise helps to usher in a more advanced and productive future.

There is one thing every woman in business has in common: she needs the right premises to make the magic happen. If you are an entrepreneur or start-up looking for premises in Gauteng, contact 3Cube Property Solutions and let us help you find the right space.