As part of the year-long rollout of Lionesses of Africa’s tour of the African continent with the Lioness Lean In Breakfast events, October 19th sees a Lean In engagement hosted in Gaborone. Co-hosted by Stanbic Bank Botswana, this unique event showcases the game-changing women entrepreneurs who have built some of the country’s most successful businesses.
The Lioness Lean In Breakfast Series brings together inspirational and successful women entrepreneurs to share, inspire and connect with the next generation of great women-led startups. The platform is based on a breakfast networking and speaker presentation format which has been organised in locations across the African continent for the past year by Lionesses of Africa, empowering 1 million women entrepreneurs across the continent. Lioness Lean In event includes a formal programme of speakers, both from Lionesses of Africa and comprising local leaders, and a networking session to encourage nurturing key relationships amongst guests.
Gracing the event as the keynote speaker was the ever-inspirational First Lady of the Republic of Botswana, Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi. Additional guest speakers at Friday’s event included: Melanie Hawken, Founder and CEO of Lionesses of Africa; Orefitlhetse Masire, Stanbic Bank Board Member; Tumi Mbaakanyi, Project Manager – UNDP Business SDP and avid Entrepreneur; and Tebogo Modisagape, Director of Val Interiors.
Head of Personal Markets at Stanbic Bank, Omphemetse Dube said they are tremendously pleased to bring the Lionesses of Africa Lean In platform to Botswana once again.
“We are passionate about this partnership, which seeks to recognise and bring together women entrepreneurs in our community and help nurture their growth further. Botswana is blessed with a number of thriving female entrepreneurs, and the potential for the next generation of talent is strong. Platforms such as this are therefore paramount in growing the cause and we as a bank are proud to help champion that movement further.”
As always, these business building insights from successful women entrepreneurs were a key highlight. Two new additional elements to the Lioness Lean In programme followed. The first: Lioness CoLab, an initiative aimed at showcasing women entrepreneurs across the African continent and the Diaspora who are collaborating with each other to produce innovative new products and service offerings. Melanie will introduce Naledi Toona, better known as Chef Naledi, who will talk about her business as a private chef and culinary instructor, and about her experience of growing her company through collaboration and the power of partnership. The second new element was the Lioness Launch session, introducing women entrepreneurs who are launching exciting new products this month. Melanie will also offer the opportunity to 10 women entrepreneurs in the audience to pitch their own new products, services and businesses to the rest of the gathering, giving them important exposure and access to new markets.
“Gaborone is a growing and exciting centre for women’s entrepreneurship in Africa. This is a must-attend event for women entrepreneurs in the country as it gives them the opportunity to hear the inspiring entrepreneurial stories of women who are building great businesses here. The event allows them to benefit from the insights and advice of women entrepreneurs who have seen and experienced it all – and ‘got the T-shirt’ in the world of business and brand building,” said Melanie Hawken.
“It also provides an excellent opportunity for networking with speakers and participants who all share a passion for advancing women entrepreneurs in Botswana. And, importantly, it offers the chance to ask questions and get advice that can help take women entrepreneurs to the next level in the country. Finally, it provides the opportunity for Lionesses of Africa to announce all the new and exciting initiatives that are on offer to Botswana’s women entrepreneurs, all aimed at helping them to take their businesses to the next level.”