Director Woman Magazine, December 2021

NOITIDE 1202 REBMECED ENIZAGAM NAMOW ROTCERID THE LULIBO EDITION DIRECTORDIRECTOR WOMAN MAGAZINE WDECEMBER 2021 EDITION KEAMOGETSWE OLWETHU MHLANA MABEBA ARTTHE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT blackOF SUPPORTING LIVING IT UP UK!IN THE MOC.LRIG4EPYT.WWW NO ELBALIAVA NOITIDE OBILUL EHT BLgOiErMls Zanele+BUSINESSES ROCK ON FOLLOWING HER DREAMS MEET DIGITAL boldly SHERO BOLAWANA ZaneleSHIVANDA & UNAPOLOGETICALLY PHAKATHI

CONTENTS December 2021 MKEAAMOBGEETBSWAE 4 COVER STORY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT ZEN THUSI FOUNDER & CEO, ZEN FOUNDATION 21 7 OLWETHU MHLANA 13 FOUNDER & CEO, LULIBO MARKET 18 BOLAWANA MAGS SHIVANDA THANDAZO 10 BUTHLEZI, FOUNDER & CEO, FOUNDER & CEO, DIGITAL SHERO UMNQWAZO BY THANDAZO DISCLAIMER Copyright 2021 type4girl. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or otherwise, without the prior written and explicit permission by Director Woman or Director Woman Fastrack Magazines or type4girl. While due diligence, i.e research, has been performed to ensure accuracy and credibility, any advice and information given or presented to readers for consumption in any article contained in this Issue or Edition, whether generated and written internally by the Director Woman Editorial Team or an external contributor, the Chief Editor, Editorial Team, Contributors, Director Woman and Director Woman Fastrack Magazines and type4girl cannot accept responsibility for any damage, inconvenience or loss that may arise therefrom. disclaimerPlease read this with our Feature and Submission Policy available on www.type4girl.com.

DW ED'S NOTE HOW DID WE MAKE IT OUT ALIVE? It's been real but, 2021? Thank you, next! If like me you're a Nao girl, then you'll be singing what I'm singing. REAL TALK THOUGH... IT HAS BEEN ONE SHITTY YEAR HASN'T IT? Granted we've all had (surely), a couple of BIG wins here and there right? For instance, this is our 8th publication, HOORAY TO US! I'm hoping you had a few moments to think back on just then and cracked a smile almost reliving how happy you felt when you clapped for yourself and DID THAT! Congratulations to you and may the baby steps and small victories keep coming in 2022. We at the type4girl camp have absolutely loved curating this magazine and e- meeting all the amazing women whose stories we've told. And you know what, we can't wait to get right back to it next year in February. Happy holidays and may the greatest peace and the be safe forces be with you and your loved ones. Until 2022, please, choose YOURSELF.. and US. The very best, Masekane N. CHIEF EDITOR Director Woman Magazines 3 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW ZEN THUSI INTERRUPTING THE CYCLE THROUGH HER FOUNDATION, THE ZEN FOUNDATION, ZEN THUSI AIMS TO EMPOWER THE HELPLESS AND HOPELESS THROUGH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT EVENTS. orn Zwakalisile b Masuku, Zen (which means peace) Thusi is the founder of Zendorciaz Cou- ture and Non- Profit Organi- sation (NPO), Zen Foundation: The Seed. Zen was born and bred in Pongola, in the north of KwaZulu Natal, where she and her 6 siblings were raised by a single parent. In 2006, she ventured to the city of Pretoria to further her studies. She would go on to founded fashion brand in 2013, and then her foundation. Growing up, the future entrepreneur and public speaker was a shy and reserved child. “I was very much into myself and paid extreme attention to detail,” she says. Perhaps most rewarding and maybe fortunately for her, Zen has become everything she thought she would be when she was just a teenager. “I always knew that I am meant to bring a positive change to my surroundings and environment.” 4 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW ZEN THUSI INTERRUPTING THE CYCLE A STRUGGLING SYSTEM & RISING STATS The Zen Foundation’s core mission is to empower helpless and hopeless groups of The mountain that NPO’s whose mandates people mainly through skills development and missions are similar to those of Zen’s and empowerment events. They host Foundation have to climb becomes less musical and performance showcases, and and less possible to conquer with every events meant to raise awareness on issues statistic of GBV perpetrators who have like Gender-based Violence (GBV) and simply never been brought to justice and substance abuse. The Foundation has a victim who was failed by the law. Like wide scope of groups it targets including most women in the country, the 33-year- people that are fighting depression, GBV old is especially frustrated with survivors and the youth. government’s sluggish response. “We need Zen shares that her experiences seeing decisive improvements in laws from the the impact of aforementioned issues and government. Every day [GBV perpetrators] other socio-economic issues like who are clear dangers to their victims unemployment, poverty and crime on make bail like it’s nothing, leaving their black communities inspired her to start victims even more scared and regretting the foundation and do her bit to disrupt reporting cases of violence. The justice and ultimately help end the cycle. The system is failing women and South Africa. Foundation also gives youth an Corruption and incompetency are failing opportunity to let their talent shine us,” she says. through creative design competitions. “We run competitions where young creatives A SAFE HAVEN FOR YOUTH WITH design posters that educate people about MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES things like depression, early pregnancy and sexual transmitted diseases. These The Zen Foundation also provides support posters are then shared on relevant and counselling for youth struggling with platforms to solicit help from other or affected by mental illness. Zen tell us, institutions.” “We host mental health awareness events where youth have a friendly platform to Through the foundation, Zen seeks to discuss mental health and share their inspire and encourage ordinary citizens to experiences. We also have partnerships implement solutions where they are and with mental healthcare professionals for where they can, because charity will post-event and private counselling if always begin at home. victims need extra support. Our counsellors start the process by WOMEN, AS ONE distinguishing between normal turmoil and post-traumatic grief.” [cont] We all know the saying “united we stand, divided we fall”. And for Zen, the saying is especially vital for the collective success and activism amongst women. “Black women need to unite and shun the idea that we cannot work together. We’ve got to stop considering the next black woman as competition. Women need to realize that together we are an unstoppable, powerful force.” But unity isn’t all it’ll take for us to truly make a change. She adds, “given the right information, platforms, opportunities and resources, we can own the world.” 5 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW ZEN THUSI d OSYOUSTHINK FUN FACTS MENTORSHIP IS STILL VALAUBLE FOR YOUNG \"I would love to meet Gabrielle Union WOMEN? and have lunch with her “Certainly. A tree doesn’t I cannot live without is my phone, just start off as a tree but a seed. But before the seed laptop and Wi-Fi I am currently reading The Miracle becomes a tree there are Morning: The 6 habits that will transform your life before 8AM by Hal always trees that already Elrod exist, people theaxt know more and better – My favourite comfort food is AMASI One struggle I’ve dealt with that has that is the value of mentorship. Mindset is made me who I am is not knowing my strengthened by understanding. Understanding is created by learning and father I am passionate about practising what you learn from others. designing, writing and creative speaking.\" ¶ public Mentorship is a way for those people who have grown or 'made it out' to reach back to those who are still finding their feet and broadening their skills & knowledge.” CONTACT THE ZEN FOUNDATION “People can contact us through our Facebook page - Zen Foundation The Seed and our email is [email protected] We are physically based in Pretoria. We are working on our website through we which we’ll be launching better educational and digital skills training programmes in 2022. We cannot wait to share the exciting news!” 6 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW KEA MABEBA LIVING IN HER ANSWERED PRAYERS AGAINST ALL ODDS, KEAMOGETSWE MABEBA (26), AFFECTIONATELY REFERRED TO AS JUST KEA, QUALIFIED AS A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT (CA). k EAMOGETSWE is living her in my abilities, losing a scholarship, and dream in London working in gaining another one. It was not easy, but the Asset and Wealth it was worth it,” she says. Management department at After successfully conquering the Wits PWC UK. She completed her edge, Kea still had more mountains to articles in the Audit field at EY climb. She recounts, “my academic South Africa. journey continued during my articles, and I completed the required 2 board exams INTENT ON GOAL SETTING to qualify as a CA with SAICA. Once again, this was not smooth sailing. I passed the As a teenager, Kea was part of the Youth first board exam (Initial test of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Competence) at my second attempt, and Development programme (YLED) which passed the second board exam taught her to always set goals towards (Assessment of Professional Competence) making her dreams a reality. She tells us, “I at my first attempt.” kept a vision board, and set goals that would help me in achieving that vision. In the last WHEN CLIMBING THE CORPORATE few years, I have achieved those goals, and LADDER… currently living in the vision I had set out for myself as a teenager. To this day, I still set “Treat every stage of your career as a short-, medium- and long-term goals and learning opportunity.” Kea advises young [make] a vision board.” women in corporate to never forget that there is always room for improvement. EDGE, CONQUERED She adds, “therefore, as you progress, ensure that you’re gaining lessons that The 26-year-old holds a Bachelor of will help you as you progress.” Accounting Science degree as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting Science REPRESENTING BLACK WOMEN from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). During her undergraduate studies, Kea echoes and represents our she was also the treasurer of the Golden Key philosophy perfectly - If you truly want to Committee Wits Chapter. inspire young black girls and convince them that they are just as smart and Although she completed both her capable, show them accomplished women qualifications in record time, Kea recounts a who look and sound like them. tale of hardships and a few stumbles along “Black women in corporate need more the way. “I may have completed both degrees representation in executive, decision- in record time, but it involved failing tests making boards. I say this because it is so and exams along the way, losing confidence difficult to begin to imagine yourself in those executive positions until [cont] 7 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW KEA MABEBA someone with the same skin colour as www.type4girl.com you, same gender, and same qualification is in that executive position. Then, the narrative [changes] from “impossible”, to “possible”. I aim to be that representation for other young black women coming into the corporate world, one day.” A CORPORATE JETSETTER! The highly educated, highly motivated travel enthusiast has been living in London for about 10 months and shares with us that it has been nothing but a an adventurous and lesson-filled experience. “Having lived in London for 9 months now, I have learnt a lifetime worth of lessons. The biggest [being] resilience and adaptation to change.” She’s also had to adapt quite a bit. “Firstly, the transport system is different. It is timely, efficient, and safe. Making use of public transport has taught me to plan down to the smallest details of my trips; the weather is much colder, and there is very little sun. This has taught me to not let the weather determine my mood or plans for the day. The show goes on. I appreciate sunny days even more; finally, [we have] daylight savings. This is a standard practice in the UK, which entails moving the clock forward by an hour for summer. This means having the sun rise earlier and set later in the day. I have particularly enjoyed this because this meant more adventure time during summer.” WINNING FORMULA TO CAREER SUCCESS Kea shared with us her top 3 soft skills vital to succeeding in her career field. PERSONAL MASTERY “Personal mastery is the process of living and working purposefully towards a vision and in a state of constant learning about oneself and your reality. The implementation of practice developed [my] self-awareness. As I [become] more and more self- aware, I also develop emotional [cont] 8 l DECEMBER 2021

DW KEA MABEBA intelligence, my abilities to better identify the crucial things in life: we eat, go to the my strengths and weaknesses, effectively bathroom, and sleep. And yet one of our manage relationships and lead others.” most crucial needs - exercise - is often the first thing to go when our calendars fill up. FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY I tend to fall into this trap. Exercise is an “Change is inevitable, and in this career, effective stress reducer. It pumps feel- one is always going to be exposed to some good endorphins through your body. So, I degree of change. Having the willingness have now incorporated exercise in my to learn has helped me to adapt to new schedule by attending gym classes or going environments more easily.” for a jog 3-4 times a week,” she shares. She adds that she also takes “gratitude walks” NETWORKING every now and then. These walks are “Networking allows you access to dedicated to reflections on all her opportunities you might not be able to find blessings, and listening to gospel music or on your own. Through networking, I have an inspirational podcast. formed relationships that have been an excellent source of expanding my THE YEAR 2021 knowledge and gaining new perspectives.” 2021 has been all about learning for Kea. KEEPING UP WITH ENDORPHINS Learning about herself, the world and her Although her calendar can get densely profession. She tells us, “I know it may populated, Kea has recently managed to sound weird, right after qualifying as a ensure she carves out time for exercise. Chartered Accountant. But I consider this “Even when we’re busy, we make time for to only be the beginning of the next phase of my life. I call this phase of my life the “building phase.” She goes on to tell us that this phase will entail creating networks globally, getting more insight into the CA field, gaining independence, builder her legacy and exploring the world. This year, Kea has embraced the true meaning of relying on oneself, discovered her true interests and opened up to new adventures. DEAR BLACK GIRL “Your dreams are valid. It’s just a matter of converting your dreams into gaols, taking active steps towards achieving [them], realising the potential in yourself (which most often than not results in others realising that potential, and investing in it), and constantly learning through the journey. It’s also important to know that failing at a few things is inevitable. Failing is part of the process and fosters growth in different aspects. Embrace the process, and always have an end-goal in mind. Lastly, define what success means to you, and work towards that, not what society defines success to be!” ¶ 9 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW THANDAZO BUTHELEZI SHE WAS LIKE July.SUNFLOWERS IN NOMTHANDAZO BUTHELEZI OF UMNQWAZO BY THANDAZO'S JOURNEY AS AN ENTREPRENEUR READS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A BUSINESS THRILLER, “SUNFLOWERS BLOOMING IN JULY IS A RARE THING, AND EVEN IF THEY DO, THEY DON’T STAND LESS IN HEIGHT THAN THOSE THAT BLOOM AT THE “RIGHT TIME”. I AM AN UNDERDOG AND I HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR MYSELF TO ACCEPT WHO I REALLY AM AND BE GLAD IN IT. I’M RARE, AND HAVE HAD TO STAND TALL IN THE MOST AWKWARD AND TOUGHEST TIMES WITHOUT LEAVING MY BEAUTY BEHIND AND ALWAYS FOLLOWING THE LIGHT.” 10 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW THANDAZO BUTHELEZI \"i nserts the exact word that success. “It was when I noticed the describes the concoction of demand to create more that I realised Oh emotions that I was feeling shucks I need to keep this ‘thing’ going, I when I was left jobless in the need to give more options. I then had to middle of a pandemic with go back to the drawing board and come absolutely no plan B. See, up with ideas and strategies to make Umnqwazo by Thandazo more appealing, mine wasn’t the typical ‘I left and it was [in] that moment that it hit me - I had just started what I could call my my job to follow my dreams’ journey of first prosperous business and I needed to keep it alive,” she shares. starting a business, I was forced by THE UMNQWAZO MUSE circumstance and time. Also the fact that The end goal of any Umnqwazo design is looking for a job in a country already pretty simple - to make the doek look cool! Thandazo’s doek designs are struggling with unemployment was almost inspired by her affinity for all things unique. “I like standing out when I wear not an option. I had tried one other business something, anything. I [also] love patterns, so I am always looking for nice and failed [after I] was scammed. So patterns that can be sported as a multi- use accessory. Another thing that inspires naturally, I was scared but I was also our pieces are the seasons, I always look for materials and patterns that will suit resilient, because bills needed to be paid.” the season we are in or approaching.” Nomthandazo's journey as an entrepreneur WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? reads like something out of a business thriller, except of course the experience of it “I absolutely stand for the unity of was hardly thrilling from the onset. She women, to break the narrative that says continues, “I remember the idea of women cannot sit around one table Umnqwazo by Thandazo came on a without “beefing” with each other. There Thursday. I was so sure and so excited that I is already so much against women, so barely made 5 hours of sleep [that] night. By what it better than us standing together Friday I was sure that I wanted to give [it] a through everything else?” try, my anticipation overpowered any other emotion. So then by the Saturday I took the THE KEY TO HAPPY CUSTOMERS last R300 I had to my name [and bought] fabric. Over the following week I would It’s often said that overtime, customers spend day in and day out doing research, don’t buy products, they buy the designing tags and brainstorming on the experience and return for the quality. And birth of what I was hoping would help me Thandazo understands this very well. “I survive and stay sane. And finally, in the next deliver on quality and great service - It’s a week, on a Friday, the 18th of September kept promise, and that has created such a 2020, I launched Umnqwazo by Thandazo. I beautiful community built on trust and remember shooting my launching video that assurance that this brand will never let morning with burning eyes because I hadn’t them down. I have also established slept, I just wanted to hit the ‘start’ button awesome after-sales friendships and already.” friendly connections with some Umnqwazo by Thandazo clients.” [cont] WHEN BIZ GETS REAL! The first contract, first sale, first client – all milestones that make business owners realise this is real! For the 29-year-old, it was the continuous sales that woke her up to the fact that she was really running a business, one with the potential to be a sizeable 11 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW THANDAZO BUTHELEZI THE PLIGHT OF STARTUP FOUNDERS through it all. Umnqwazo by Thandazo will be remembered as a brand that seeded Being a start-up entrepreneur on its own is confidence in other women to believe in already an extreme sport in the context of their dreams and aspirations, as a well of a sluggish South African economy and knowledge and platform for women to dwindling job prospects and local markets. unite.” The problem facing many entrepreneurs is access to appropriate funding. “We need WHO DO YOU MAKE DOEKS FOR? funding that is less taxing because most of “I make Umnqwazo by Thandazo pieces for us are starting from the ground up. We also an authentic woman who has accepted need more accessible platforms and herself first and is the first ‘point’ when programmes that will equip us with skills she defines beauty. . I keep this business to run businesses successfully. I say this going for the women who create the rules.” because most of us resort to business either as a second stream of income or like MY HEART, TO HERS in my case, to make ends meet. We study “It might sound like a cliché, but I would what we are passionate about, but end up tell her that she is worth everything she becoming businesswomen, only without desires for herself, that she is as rich as she the right knowledge or skills,” Thandazo imagines herself to be and must always says. work towards that. I want for younger girls She also advises black women to practice to know that they deserve anything and more patience and confidence with and in everything, because the world belongs to their craft and stick it out long enough to all of us.” ¶ see their businesses grow at a rate they envisioned. THE RIDDLE OF SELF-FUNDING + REINVESTING PROFITS Any person who’s started a business had to take on some risk, but this risk is especially high for those who, like Thandazo, self- funded their businesses with their very last. Since taking that plunge, she has been growing Umnqwazo by Thandazo with the help of her salary now that I’m back at work. She also credits her “amazing fiancé,” who has carried some costs to help her progress. WHAT IS YOUR ABSOLUTE FAVE UMNQWAZO BY THANDAZO PIECE? “This one is so hard to answer honestly, I love each head wrap I put out, I never imagined owning more head wraps than shoes! My favourite will always be the Khethi satin-lined head wrap, ‘she’ is cute, versatile and unique, and will always be the seed of the business.” What is your and the Umnqwazo by Thandazo legacy? “I would like to be remembered as someone who lived gracefully, inspired, shared wisdom and remained humble 12 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

THE LULIBO EDITION COVER°GIRLDIRECTOR WOMAN MAGAZINE WDECEMBER 2021 EDITION dear beautiful BROWN SKINNED GIRL YOUR DREAMS ARE VALID. \"JUST KNOW YOU ARE IN IT TO OVERCOME IT. GOD WILL NEVER GIVE YOU A BATTLE YOU CAN’T OVERCOME. YOU’RE BIGGER THAN YOUR PROBLEMS, SO TREAT THEM LIKE HURDLES AND NOT AN END. \" - ZANELE PHAKATHI

DW ZANELE PHAKATHI AT JUST 13... t he emerging year I applied for it. I grew dreams unapologetically and beauty queen + up loving computer games, boldly.” pageant coach but I didn’t know it’s knew she would something I’d one day do for LESSONS FROM MY one day be Miss a living.” MOTHERS Universe, & this And she isn’t a far cry from Zanele has the privilege of the person she was in high calling two amazing women is a dream she school. She tells us, “I haven’t ‘mom’, who’ve both taught changed a bit. The only her lessons that have helped still plansstillopnla fulfilling. difference is that I am now shape the woman she is achieving all the goals I’d set today. “My mom taught me Growing up, Zanele for myself before. I've always to treat everyone with been the girl who follows her respect, and ,my God- Phakathi, 22, was a mother confident, loud child who thrived on being the ‘centre of attention.’ And she never had to search too long for her life purpose. “As soon as I watched a beauty pageant when I was 12, I knew that was what I was meant to do. I remember a career day we had in Grade 7 and naturally everyone came dressed as police, doctors, teachers, etc. I went dressed as a model,” she shares. Zanele has won over 100 titles since starting her pageantry career and was one of the finalists in the Miss SA 2019 contest at just 20. “Little Miss Dobsonville was my first ever title in 2011 and it was hosted by my favourite person, Tsakane who gave birth to my purpose; and Miss South Africa 2019 was the greatest as it’s always been the end goal.” Although her purpose was in beauty, she still pursued a career in Information Technology. “I decided to study IT the ye 14 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW ZANELE PHAKATHI mother Mama Zama told teaching my girls so much me I’d one day be Miss SA that it hardly feels like a when I was 12. That job.” taught me to believe in myself and follow my WHAT ARE YOUR dreams unapologetically.” FONDEST MEMORIES AS A CHILD? YOU FOUNDED A “Spending my days on the MODELLING dusty streets of Snake Park, ACADEMY, WHAT playing indigenous games - INSPIRED IT? Umgusha, skipping rope, you name it!” The model is also a budding entrepreneur, ARE WE, WOMEN, OUR OWN WORST ENEMY? she founded Diamonds “People want to see you Model Academy. “I’ve great, but never better than always seen myself as a them. I’ve been in spaces diamond because I did where I was rejected because I intimidated the not wake up polished and people around me, not poised. I believe, that like because I wasn’t the best diamonds, I started out for the job. So yes!” rough and everything I do WHAT DO BLACK GIRLS now gets me closer to all NEED MORE OF? my dreams. All the tears, “We need to be more the feeling of not being informed about everything, good enough, always we need to read more, watch more, and just be prepares me for all the mindful of the content we great that is to come. feed our minds.” That’s why I see myself like a diamond. They start DO YOU GET NERVOUS ON STAGE? off as stones dug from the “I don’t get nervous on mud then turned into stage, I’ve been doing some of the most pageants since 2011. I love prestigious and expensive being on stage, it’s one of my favourite things to do. “ stones. That’s also how I’d like every little girl I train WHO ARE YOUR TOP 3 feel like.\" BLACK GIRL MODELS? “Zozibini Tunzi for being so HOW'S THE BUSINESS authentic and graceful; OFSPABEING Xia, we where both finalists ENTREPRENEUR? for Miss SA 2019, she’s doing amazing as an “This was my very first international model; and year as an entrepreneur Yemi, she’s a boss model so it’s been challenging. and on literally every However, I don’t think I billboard.” had any expectations or fantasies about running this business because I’ve been a model since I was 14 years old, I only decided this year to register my company and run it as a business. I love 15 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com



DW ZANELE PHAKATHI ARE GLOBAL FORMATS LIKE MISS UNIVERSE AND MISS WORLD EMBRACING INCLUSIVITY FAST ENOUGH? “I feel like they’re not because it’s 2021 and you still hear things like ‘first black winner’ who looks a certain way or wears a certain hairstyle. I do however believe they’ll be fully inclusive in the near future. MU and MW representatives are chosen in their own countries so they, the countries, are the ones ultimately responsible for the selection.” SHARE 5 FUN FACTS ABOUT YOU! 1. “I am one of 4 girls to my beautiful mom; 2. I am currently reading Trevor Noah BORN A CRIME; sL3. Seafood pizza is my favourite thing to SPeat and my least favourite thing to eat is SPchocolate; SPA4.xMy first ever audition - I was SPIIaccompanying a friend & didn’t know SPAIanything about acting but the director SPAIIwanted to see me and I booked that SPAIIIjob. I was 13 years old; SPAIIII5. I want to face my fears and do SPACEIsome bungee jumping at the SPACESSoweto towers , I’m still gathering SPACESIthe strength.” SPACESELOVINGLY, ZANELE SPACESISS“There will be a phase in your SPACESIISSlife when you’ll feel all is over SPACESSPAIfor you. My ‘phase’ was when I SPACESSPIwas involved in a car accident. SPACESIIIMy doctor said it was a miracle SPACIIthat I survived that accident. I missed a whole year of school, couldn’t walk and lost my hearing in one ear. Your phase could be debt, pressure to achieve ‘goals’ you didn’t even set for yourself, Sabuse, bullying or illness. Just know SI[that] you are in it to overcome it. God SIwill never give you a battle you can’t SPovercome. You’re bigger than your SPIproblems, so treat them like hurdles SIIand not an end to believing in yourself IIIor your dreams.” ¶ 17 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

THE ULTIMATE DIGITAL SHERO \"I STARTED GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO. MY ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO START A BUSINESS BECAUSE THEN I COULD DO WHAT I WANTED TO DO.\" - BOLAWANA MAGS SHIVANDA

DW BOLAWANA SHIVANDA B olawana ‘Mags’ Shivanda is the what to do, once I reached that point, my founder and CEO of the Digital only way out was to start a business because Shero Media Group, a then I could do what I wanted to do.” boutique Digital Media agency based in Johannesburg with NO SUCH THING AS SELF-MADE branches in Cape Town and Bloemfontein. Under the co- mpany, she’s gone on to found Bolawana doesn’t believe in the concept of #BloemGirlsRock, an NPO building the next being self-made. “We all need each other,” generation of female pioneers and she says. “I needed people in corporate to trailblazers who will change the world one support my business for it to be sustainable. dream at a time. I can’t sit here and say working for someone BORN TO LEAD COURAGELOUSLY means you lack passion or ambition. These things are intertwined. There is no such a Bolawana was born in Thaba Nchu, a small thing as self-made, everyone was helped by town just outside Bloemfontein. “I moved to somebody.” Bloemfontein with my late mom when I was HARD WORK? NO THANKS! 4. She first started working as a security guard but later ran her own small canteen at This digital shero wants nothing to do with a an Abattoir shop,” she shares. Her urge and hard knock life. “I had to unlearn working ability to lead courageously was inspired by hard and work smart, I don’t do things with her mother. She narrates to us the story of hardness. I do things with ease and go with how her mother single-handedly the flow. I like ease. I started a squatter camp despite the “SPE I CAN’T SIT want things to come easy risk of being outcast by a for me.” neighbouring community in the SPACE HERE AND settlement. “Seeing her stand her SAY WORKING FOR THE ground instilled courage in me. SOMEONE MEANS #BLOEMGIRLSROCK Ironically, the same people who YOU LACK PASSION wanted us gone, eventually started STORY coming to her for guidance and OR AMBITION. Founding the NPO was help.” THESE THINGS ARE important for Bolawana because she knew her The 37-year-old has, over the INTERTWINED. accomplishments years, become the woman of her THERE IS NO SUCH impacted and inspired dreams. “I really think that I am A THING AS SELF- the people who lived now more of the person I’ve always MADE, EVERYONE where she grew up. “It aspired to be like. Every time I look was important for me to in the mirror, I see the person I’ve WAS HELPED BYSPI form a tribe for girls from \"wanted to do more in the world. I have She wanted charity to truly begin at home, so always wanted to be. I wasn’t sure SOMEBODY.SP Bloem so they know they how far I would get, but my have someone who’ll teenage self always had ambition and always support them and stuhpeiprogrtoals,” she tells us. always known that am meant to be great,” when she started making it in Johannesburg, she says. she paid it forward by starting with the ESCAPING CORPORATE women from her hometown. “I [also] know how powerful women are when they come Before becoming the savvy businesswoman together, I wanted young girls to understand that she is, Bolawana rocked corporate until that.” she couldn’t. “I really didn’t know that I wanted to start my own business until I started getting frustrated with being told what 19 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW BOLAWANA SHIVANDA WILL RETENTION ALWAYS BE MAGS ONCE SAID? BETTER THAN ACQUISITION? As a one man show, you constantly have “You can truly be anything you want to to choose between doing activity A, or B. be. That fire that you have inside of you, Do you focus on onboarding 15 clients or that’s what will drive you, don’t ever lose on retaining the 7 you currently have? that. Because seeing where and how I was “At first as a start-up, you do need a raised, if I didn’t keep and follow that fire, strategy to acquire new clients – however I wouldn’t be where I am today.” once they are in you need to find ways to make sure that you retain those clients THE YEAR OF TRAVEL because they become a great asset to your business. 2021 has seen Bolawana prioritise travelling and the health of her body and This is how I retain our clients: mind. “I have been to so many local places Managing client’s expectations sppthis year, and that has really become – this is truly a skill you need spacesthe best thing I’ve done all year. I to work on daily. spacesspsaid yes to traveling in SA, and Cross-sell and upsell. spacesspGod has made it happen for me. Train your team daily.” spacesspI’ve [also] been intentional about spacesspmy health. I run, [do] yoga and MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY spacesspaexercise. I’ve minimised my WOULD BE TITLED… spacesslexposure to people that I felt “Love fixes everything.” spaceswere affecting my mental health spaceiand peace negatively. I’m the queen spaciof self-care, things run beautifully spawhen you take care of yourself,” she spashares. ¶ 20 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

DW OLWETHU MHLANA OLWETHU MHLANA: THE STORY OF HOW PASSION BECOMES PURPOSE a n ode to the culture – that’s the legacy that Olwethu Mhlana, the founder and CEO of Lulibo Market wants her entrepreneureinatlrcerperaetnioenurtioalleave. Lulibo Market is an online marketplace that connects shoppers across the country with a wide range of high quality, locally sourced products. While the company was only established earlier this year, the idea initially came to Olwethu almost 5 years ago, albeit in a slightly different context. “I had this idea to start a platform where I would share my transition from buying from big businesses to almost exclusively supporting small, local, black-owned brands. My goal was to amplify the work of black creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs and inspire more people to do the same. I then realised that many people were going through this collective consciousness with regards to more purpose-driven consumerism.” She shares that it was however somewhat difficult to find BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) owned brands. This prompted her to think more towards making it easy for people to find said brands and essentially transition with her… and so Lulibo Market came about, a one- stop shop where you could find any 21 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

anything from dishwashing liquid and DW OLWETHU MHLANA earrings to candles and skincare - all BIPOC-owned. www.type4girl.com Olwethu is also the founder of The Collective, an agency that serves as a brand directory and connects creatives, entrepreneurs, freelancers and brand owners with each other to build brands, create strategic partnerships and collaborate. There is a laundry list of reasons why spaces like these are important, but since the news of South Africa having the highest unemployment rate in the world, the techpreneur wants to focus on ‘creating entrepreneurial opportunities, giving BIPOC communities more buying power in turn fuelling the economy.’ WHAT’S IN A NAME? Olwethu explains that Lulibo means first ripe fruit of a vine or first generation. “For me, it is a name that carries power in that it speaks to who we are as [a] generation. The first of so many things, but definitely not the last.” THE LULIBO EXPERIENCE Lulibo Market serves two main groups, the vendors who sell through it and the buyers. Olwethu tells Director Woman, “a lot of our vendors started their business in response to the pandemic. Others joined our platform to boost their digital adoption. We wanted to make [their experience] as easy and cost effective as possible.” The market is a cost-effective avenue for entrepreneurs as it eliminates web development and monthly fees. “For customers it’s the ease of a one-stop shopping experience. We’re all busy, many people don’t have time to browse the internet for BIPOC owned alternatives,\" she adds. ON BUILDING BETTER Olwethu is big on seeking out and investing in learning opportunities constantly, and with dedication. “Building a better life or business is an intentional act and oftentimes it means we need to devote more time to learning skills and hab 22 l DECEMBER 2021

DW OLWETHU MHLANA habits that we are not proficient “Support in the form of financial in.” She stresses the importance capital and market share.” of taking the time to seek out knowledge and wisdom. I AM MOST PROUD OF… “Research ways to upskill “[…] starting. It is very scary putting yourself. Even if you have help in your ideas into the world and certain areas of your business, allowing people to interact with figure out how things work. your product. We had so many Know the ins and outs. Invest. hiccups leading up to the launch Invest. Invest,” she says. that we moved the launch date twice and part of me was relieved by that. NAVIGATING “THE NEW The hiccups were not in my control NORMAL” but they gave me time to get over Like most of us, the last year and the anxiety and fear. I still get a half has been challenging for moments where I doubt myself but I the 29-year-old. “The anxiety has am so glad I started.” been paralysing at times, and of course the effects it’s had on our WHAT IS THE LAST BLACK- careers has forced us into OWNED PRODUCT YOU USED? making some difficult decisions. I “Well, I’m currently sipping on some have become a lot more Diya - wild red root tea from intentional with self-care as a Setsong Tea. I am using a mug from way to connect with myself a brand called Tuesday in Harare outside of all the trauma and that sells handcrafted homeware anxiety.” products made in Cape Town.” UNLEARNING “SUCCESS” OLWETHU’SSPAHAPPINESS In the past few years, Olwethu AND PRODUCTIVITY BEST has had to redefine her idea of success and what would fulfil PRACTICES her. “I think too often we have 1.Replace negative thoughts with this (very dangerous) belief that positive thoughts success is directly tied to 2.Break things up into smaller bourgeois individualism, and of pieces to avoid being overwhelmed course our capitalistic society 3.Affirm yourself thrives off of that. The thing is it is not a sustainable way of life ME, TO YOU and it is harmful to so many “We’re conditioned to believe that in people who in turn become order to be successful you have to exploited to attain that. We need be extraordinary, have lots of to think more in terms of the money or be some kind of genius collective good. We need to strive unicorn. That simply isn’t true. Who to build each other, create with you are at this very moment is each other and grow together. enough. Your dreams are as valid This is why I started The for this version of yourself as they Collective, as a way to share are for the evolved version you’ll opportunities, trade skills, create become. You will need to learn brands and leverage each other's things and you will most likely need brilliance. “ to be bolder and more grounded in your values, but it doesn’t take away BLACK STARTUPRENEURS IN from the fact that you are enough NEED MORE… right now. You are capable and your dreams are attainable.” 23 l DECEMBER 2021 www.type4girl.com

“ I WANT LULIBO MARKET TO BE REMEMBERED AS A SPACE THAT AMPLIFIES, ELEVATES AND AFFIRMS US. I WANT IT TO BE A VALIDATION FOR ANYONE WHO IS SCARED TO START. I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING, TO KNOW THAT THEIR BRILLIANCE, CREATIVITY AND SKILLS CAN BE MONETIZED. I’D LIKE IT TO BE A CATALYST FOR MORE INCLUSION IN THE RETAIL SPACE. I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING SPECIAL HERE, WE ARE SHOWING PEOPLE HOW DYNAMIC AND MULTIFACETED BLACK AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ARE. I WANT US TO LOOK AT SPACES LIKE THIS AND HOLD THEM AS HIGH AS WE DO WITH BIG BUSINESSES. OUR PEOPLE DESERVE THAT. ¶ \"

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