South Africa - Women of Rubies

In Inspiration January 17, 2023 By Women of Rubies

Meet Major Mandisa Nomcebo Mfeka, South Africa’s First Black Female Fighter Pilot

Major Mandisa Nomcebo Mfeka was born and raised in Ntuzuma township, KwaZulu-Natal. She realised her love for aviation when she was 5 years old.

She joined the South African Air Force (SAAF), in 2008 and in 2010 she started flying at the Central Flying School in Langebaan; in 2011 she got her wings.

At age 29, Major Mfeka grabbed headlines as she swooped over the Loftus Versfeld Stadium at the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration as part of the Hawks formation.

Major Mfeka says her journey as a Combat Pilot really shifted her perspective about what aviation and what being a military practitioner looked like. Nonetheless, she believes that becoming a Combat Pilot has been an amazing experience.

Speaking about her journey to becoming a combat pilot, Major Mfeka said, “It has been an amazing experience. This is such a dynamic environment and so mentally stimulating. I love it because I’m growing in my technical expertise and learning more about aerodynamics.”

Major Mfeka joins the ranks of another female pioneer, Second Lieutenant Thokozile Muwamba, who also made history in 2017 by becoming Zambia’s first female fighter pilot.

At the time Muwamba told the local newspaper Times of Zambia, “Men are not the competition but counterparts that one should work with. Women should begin to participate and realise their abilities. Because of this understanding, I am ready to undertake the task ahead of me. “

‘I look at the fact that when I am in the aeroplane, the aircraft knows no sex. Everything depends on my input, no matter my gender.” She said.

One quote that Major Mfeka lives by is, “The sky is the baseline.” Which means, the excellence bar that you pushed yesterday should be your starting point, tomorrow.

We celebrate you Major Mfeka

In Inspiration August 22, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Phumzile Mthembu, South African Entrepreneur and Founder of A Natural Baby Skin Care Brand

From newborns to infants to pre-schoolers, skin irritations are a norm. This fragile and immature skin has the most incredible cell potential that must be protected. As the skin is still in the development phase, it is very sensitive and tends to react quickly to environmental factors (such as temperature changes, wind, sweat etc.), chemical stresses (dyes, detergents, hot water etc.), and friction(from diapers or clothes). These eventually cause skin irritations such as ringworm, cracking, flaking, nappy-rash, dermatitis, sores, eczema, etc.

Inspired by her son who was diagnosed with eczema as a baby, South African entrepreneur Phumzile Mthembu created a natural baby skincare brand, PureB Baby Care, providing a solution to her own family and many others too. Today, her company Ingcweti (Pty) Ltd, trading as PureB Baby Care, is a wholly black-owned manufacturing company that specializes in producing coconut oil based baby ointments that are 100% natural and without harmful chemicals.

PureB Baby Care is a specially formulated hypoallergenic product that helps repair and protect the skin at cellular level is needed to solve these issues. Fragrance-free, naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal formula, PureB is such a product. It is gentle enough for newborns and provides immediate relief to skin irritations. It softens, hydrates and soothes skin. PureB is not only about repairing damaged skin. They educate their clients – new parents, nurses and owners of childcare facilities – on skin conditions and how to better take care of a child’s skin.

Phumzile describes her entrepreneurial journey as an interesting from which she has learnt to network and practically learnt collaboration as one of the most powerful keys to success. She also learnt the importance of collaboration as entrepreneurs to keep the business going.

Phumzile describes her satisfaction as an entrepreneur with these words “receiving feedback from a client with pictures of their child being helped by the product. It gives me satisfaction as a business owner, but also as a mum myself as well, that I have managed to help other women.”

Phumzile is currently studying entrepreneurship at the University of Johannesburg. She has been recognized as one of the most innovative entrepreneurs of 2019 and has since bring able to supply at least three South African pharmacies with her ointments.

In Inspiration August 16, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Metsana Kojane, A Bee Farmer From South Africa Is Contributing To Women Empowerment Through Beekeeping

Regardless of the kind of agriculture you practice, it is undeniable that the agribusiness is a lucrative business. Either as a fish farmer, a poultry farmer or you supply processed agricultural products, you are guaranteed a source of livelihood as an agripreneur.

Metsana Kojane, founder of Eden Roots PTY Ltd, is putting bees at the heart of her business. Her production of pure, natural honey has not only created local agri-processing jobs for women in her community, but also the creation of a natural skincare brand using the wax, propolis and royal jelly from her raw honey hives.

Metsana is a mother, a community leader, environmental activist and role model to many young women and girls in her village. She is also a Brand Builder and a graduate of VEGA.
She believes her business is a special one because it embraces their cultural heritage passed on by their foremothers who had unique ways of keeping bees and they used indigenous herbs for healing and staying healthy.

Eden roots pride themselves as being the custodians of the most important creature on planet earth that is also an endangered species. Without bees there will be no food and without bees there will be no life on earth.

Metsana describes her entrepreneurial life as a secondary pursuit and gives credit to passion as her force and motivation to do what she does. In her words, “I love and enjoy my work so much that I could work around the clock without even realising it. I tried a few business ideas previously but this one is more than just a business… It is my calling!’

With her business, Metsana plans to show Africa that our indigenous African beehive can yield good harvest of honey and other by-products. She also aspires to use the healing secrets of the hive to provide the world with unique natural products. She would also like to groom as many beekeepers as possible because the African eco system needs bees.

Metsana encourages women everywhere in the world to open their eyes to see the opportunities around them. She says “There are so many problems to solve out there in the world and for each problem a woman must rise to find solutions. Behind every solution, lies an opportunity to make money. You have all it takes because you are a woman!”

Eden Roots is an agribusiness with a presence in horticulture, beekeeping and agro processing.

The company was registered in 2015 but the business existed informally prior to that for 5 years. Beside producing natural honey, they also economically empower groups of women and girls with beekeeping skills.

In Inspiration July 27, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Two South African Entrepreneurs, Dinah Kgeledi And Lesego Seloane, Are Making Environmental Impact Through Landscaping

You never can tell how far your passion for a thing can take you until you immerse yourself in it and allow yourself to be consumed by that passion. Lesego and Dinah gave themselves away to their passion for landscaping and now, it has led them to founding and building a thriving landscaping business in South Africa.

Ronewa Creations Ltd co-founded by both entrepreneurs is a family business between a niece and her aunt, respectively.

Lesego has a background in Botany, having completed her studies in Biochemistry and Botany at the University of Johannesburg. While Dinah has a background in the corporate world, working in the IT field using her Diploma in IT. She worked for various companies before resigning from her corporate career to fully pursue landscaping as her passion.

The passion they have for plants comes from Lesego’ s gran, Dinah’s Mother, who has an eclectic small garden in Soweto. They have seen her tend her garden and as such, sparked up an interest in landscaping in them.

Their company is a landscaping business specialized in horticulture and botany. They also offer garden maintenance solutions for all our clients and are a strong advocate for the environment with the tag “Love your Surroundings.”

Dinah and Lesego had the urge to start the business after learning so much about the biodiversity of their country, South Africa. They realised that most people don’t know how to tend their gardens and make them functional.

They also discovered people needed to learn how to preserve ecosystems by not taking down trees. These relatives turned business partners wanted to ensure that people can enjoy the outdoors, and in turn they felt this will strongly lead them towards the direction of a developed country.

Their business has received several awards and recognitions including Forbes Africa Women Magazine Feature, Sowetan Article, and Best Green Female entrepreneur (Lesego Seloane).

Lesego and Dinah are a firm believer that women have so much to give to this world, and they desire to see more representatives of women in the world of business.

Their advice to women who want to launch any business is simple, “With a determined spirit you can tackle any type of business!”

In Inspiration July 20, 2021 By Women of Rubies

South African Millicent Motsoeri Is Making A Living By Making Vacations Affordable To All

All work and no play has never benefitted anyone. Everybody loves to unwind and take some time off work and life and just enjoy some peace and calm. But the expenses required to take that needed rest is overwhelming so people choose to keep working and hoping for that day when they can afford that vacation.

This is the reality of a lot of people around the world and this prompted South African entrepreneur, Millicent Motsoeri, co-founder of Heita Ngamla Holidays, to establish a vehicle for customers to pre-pay for their vacations over time, thus, making them more accessible to everyone.

Heita Ngamla Holidays is a vehicle for members to pre-pay for their vacations.
This works by allowing members accumulate funds via debit order then book a holiday package of their choosing at the time convenient to them.

At the point when the member wishes to travel, there is a top-up option when the funds are insufficient. Heita Ngamla Holidays members are guaranteed a hassle free, easily adaptable booking system, with customized packages just the way each client wants.

Heita Ngamla Holidays was created for working class people to ensure their participation in quality vacations. They started the travel club in 2008 when they discovered that people love to travel, however they were often faced with financial difficulties when the time came for them to take a leave from work and go on that dream holiday.

Millicent was introduced into entrepreneurship as a university student. She worked part-time promoting Fast Moving Consumer Goods in supermarkets. She also did a stint at Dial-A-Student passing out flyers at busy traffic intersections.

Her 9-5 life began with employment as a business administrator which was really fulfilling for what she studied to do, but that was short lived because she had discovered that she is people-centered and love working with people.
This self-discovery led her to network marketing. The networking thrill soon became a passion to create innovative solutions for solving everyday problems. Thus, she co-founded Dial-A-Helper in which they trained carefully screened domestic helpers who were subsequently placed and managed for their clients.

The entrepreneurial journey is a different one for each person and for Millicent, her greatest satisfaction comes from being able to write her own cheque while doing what she enjoys doing.

Millicent admits that in life and in the entrepreneurial world, at times things will seem and feel as if the more you move 100 steps forward, time and pressure take you a thousand steps back, because in your eyes your peers are progressing to greater heights and you are not.

She says when these moments come, remember your dream is big and it won’t take a day to build, hence you must persevere and be patient because you are a winner!

In Inspiration July 17, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Sibongile Mongadi Is Making Life Easy For South African Amputees By Producing Affordable Prosthetics

Undeniably, living with disability can be challenging and comes with its own difficulty.

It is even worse when the disability comes as a result of an amputation, thus taking away ones independence and making them co-dependent on other people for even the most basic needs.

Sibongile Mongadi is that light at the end of the tunnel for amputees. She is bringing a beacon of hope by producing prosthetics for these amputees, to give them a better life and restore their independence and dignity.

She got into the prosthetics production sphere when she had a close interaction with an amputee in Johannesburg. That singular encounter instilled in her, that drive to make a positive impact and improve the quality of life for amputees by giving them back their independence and individuality.

It was easy for Sibongile to launch as there’s an available market for her prosthetics. The existing demand exceeds the supply a great deal and there’s also the cost factor that makes it too expensive for the less privileged.

She discovered 3D printing technology can be used to meet the needs of amputees, in a cost-effective manner while also using affordable environmentally friendly material. And the result is, aesthetically appealing, affordable, water resistant Prosthetics.

Raised by uneducated parents in a family of 8, siblings, Sibongile is a firm believer and preacher that your background should not determine your future. You should not live in the past, and in every challenge you are faced with, you should be enabled.

Sibongile is the founder of Uku’hamba (Pty) Ltd, the company responsible for the production of these lightweight prosthetics. She has won several awards and received recognitions for her work. Some of the awards include The Africa Female Innovator of the Year Finalist 2019.

In Food July 15, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Vhongani Shumba, South African Entrepreneur Building A Flavoured Butter Brand

For all those cooks who want to bring extra flavour into their meals, mi butter, founded by entrepreneur Vhongani Shumba in South Africa has the answer in a jar.

Vhongani is the founder and CEO of mi butter SA, founded in 2016, a proudly local woman-led company introducing the market to the world of flavoured butters.

She is a marketing and brand manager by day and small business developer by night. Vhongani has brought her company to life by her own hard work and tenacity, and today is involved in the daily operations of the business, providing strategic insights and ensuring that the quality of mi butter meets customers’ expectations.

MI Butter blends butter with herbs, spices, extra virgin oil, roasted garlic and other flavourings.

One of the great things about the butters is that they make your meal preparation easier. The seasoning has already been done for you; it’s all in the butter so you can keep your dishes simple.

Vhongani uses glass bottles that are recyclable to package the products as her own way of assisting in the reduction of SA’s carbon footprint. For every empty mi butter bottle returned, their customers get R2.00 off their next purchase of mi butter.

For Vhongani who describes herself as “an entrepreneur at heart”, her greatest satisfaction as an entrepreneur doesn’t come from the profits generated from the sales of her products but rather, the joy that comes from doing that which makes her happy and doesn’t feel like work. That’s how she explains her feelings when she is blending her butters.

This is why she advises all intending women entrepreneurs to find that which makes them happy because they will sleep less, earn less money, and work very hard. She implores them to have deep love for whatever business they decide to do.

In Career Gems January 11, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Sad: 14-Year-Old Girl Gang-Raped And Stabbed To Death In South Africa

Five men have been arrested after a 14-year-old girl was gang-raped and stabbed to death in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is alleged that on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at about 08:30, police received information of a body of a female lying in bushes between Gelvandale and Algoa Park. She sustained multiple stab wounds.

On Friday, January 8, 2021, she was identified as Patronicia (Mandy) Jordaan (14) from Kobus Road in Helenvale. She was last seen by a relative on Monday, 04 January 2021 in Kobus Road.

The 72 hour activation plan was immediately implemented with a task team comprising of Gelvandale detectives, Crime Intelligence , Provincial Crime Scene Investigation, Anti-Gang Unit , Public Order Policing, CIT Combatting Team and the State Pathologist.

Early on Saturday morning, January 9, 2021 at about 06:00, the hunt for the suspects began and at about 07:15, the first two suspects were arrested at a house in Old Stanford Road. A few minutes later, three other suspects were rounded up at houses in Bongo and Pienaar Streets. All suspects have gang affiliations and are aged between 18-33 years old. Further arrests are expected.

It is further alleged that on Tuesday evening, 05 January 2021 at about 21:30, Ms Jordaan was in the company of 12 males at a house in Bongo Street which is used for smoking drugs. She was allegedly gang raped.

At about 03:00 on Wednesday, 06 January 2021, everyone left the house and split up with Ms Jordaan in the company of 6 males. On Thursday, 07 January 2021, her body was discovered.

The arrested suspects will appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court on Monday, 11 January 2021 on charges of rape and murder.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga applauded the multi-disciplinary team who cracked a case of a gruesome murder and rape of a 14-year-old teenager in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth.

Lt Gen Ntshinga expressed her shock and sadness of such a heinous act of violence against a helpless child.

“Violence against children is totally intolerable therefore we will ensure that these perpetrators are denied bail. The occurrence and societal problem of gender based violence continues to be a profound and widespread problem in our country. The SAPS further reiterates its commitment to eradicate and eliminate all forms of gender based violence and we call on our citizens to unite against this sick scourge.” added Lt Gen Ntshinga.

In Inspiration August 7, 2020 By Esther Ijewere

Meet Londy Ngcobo, Global Ship Navigator & Africa’s First Female Dredge Master

When a 32-year-old South African lady becomes Global Ship Navigator and Africa’s First Female Dredge Master, breaking through as a Businesswoman and a Global speaker, the story is sure to make a headline.

Today we celebrate Londy Ngcobo with over 13 years of experience in the Maritime industry, which includes a background in Maritime Studies, International Merchant shipping experience, Advanced dredging from Netherlands IHC, and her current role as a Maritime Compliance Manager all which has led to her well-known title The BLACKMERMAID.

Londy is an award winner passionate about Women and Youth Empowerment. Her wealth of experience has equipped her with the ability to focus on providing sustainable tools for women in leadership and all in walks of life.

She is also the founder of an organisation called Mamas Escape Club an Award-Winning Best Support Group providing tools for mothers to thrive through life challenges.

She encourages the youth to think outside the box, mentors the youth through her personal capacity, various institutional advisory boards and groups. Through her public speaking social events, radio/tv shows, blogs, podcasts. Londy has impacted lives by instilling bold global thinking and business agility to those who have had the privilege to see her in action.

Culled from Transportevolution

In Interviews&profile December 9, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

MISS UNIVERSE JUST CROWNED THE FIRST BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN WINNER – ALL HAIL BLACK WOMEN!

Miss South Africa was just crowned Miss Universe! Zozibini Tunzi, 26, stood out from 90 other women, and made history as the first Black South African to win the title.

According to her contest biography, Tunzi is an activist who has devoted herself to fighting gender based violence and changing the narrative around gender stereotypes. She is also an advocate for natural beauty.

In her last response Tunzi emphasized what it was like growing up and her hopes for the next generation.

“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and my kind of hair, was never considered to be beautiful.” She continued, “I think it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine.”

Tunzi is now a part of the history making Black beauty queens as she joins Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America. It is the first time all pageants have crowned a Black woman in the same year.

The pageant was held at Tyler Perry’s studios in Atlanta, GA.

Congratulations Zozibini!