Director Woman Fastrack, June 2022

NOITIDE 2202 ENUJ ENIZAGAM NAMOW ROTCERID fastrackTHEGREENEDITION DIRECTOR WOMAN FASTRACK MAGAZINE JUNE 2022 EDITION MOC.LRIG4EPYT.WWW NO ELBALIAVA NOITIDE NEERG EHT Meet and be inspired by the + most recent winners of the TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge, Sebudisi & Lisa who both run green companies. The Future of Sustainability

DW ED'S NOTE The future may very well be female... I've never met better minds. Oh, I really wish I could upload the audio versions of my interviews with the cover ladies - they are simply awe-inspiring! We hear about clean energy and green companies all the time, but I must confess, I've never actually 'met' any one of those brilliant, eco-friendly minds until now. Both Sebudisi's and Lisa's stories are well worth the read. Fezeka from SONHA and Tshidi Radebe dish out some handy hair care tips for winter and general haircare, you can thank me later. Chat to you soon then. The very best, Masekane N. CHIEF EDITOR Director Woman Magazines 4 l MAY 2022 www.type4girl.com

CONTENTS June 2022 TSHIDI RADEBE: I want 6 healthy hair and it's okay if that doesn't come with length. 12 WINTER HAIRCARE by Guest Contributor Fezeka Nyawo (SONHA) 14 S O L' Fashion & Faith: A God Movie: While you wait for Mr/Mrs Right 17 STARTUPPER CHALLENGE WINNER: SEBUDISI MAFABATHO, She-Eco Roof Tiles 22 STARTUPPER CHALLENGE WINNER: LISA VON BONECKE, LC Dynamics DISCLAIMER Copyright 2022 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 BOSS BABE COLUMN BY MMINA GABOURY COLUMNIST | @BOSSBABECOLUMN if you're new here, I'm Mmina. This is my diary, I’m a struggling aspirant Boss Babe. I have some really good news to share with you. MY COLUMN IS ALSO PUBLISHED ON WWW.TYPE4GIRL.COM! So, you never have to wait for the next Edition of Director Woman for new content. Simply visit the website and sign up! And you’ll be notified everytime I post something. Or just follow @bossbabecolumn on IG. Be gentle with thyself. Love, Mmina G. 4 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW BOSS BABE COLUMN BY MMINA GABOURY COLUMNIST | @BOSSBABECOLUMN DON'T BURN OUT: TIPS FROM A RECOVERING WORKAHOLIC hey gf! I'm reminded everyday why I I was born in Spring and not winter - it's a terrible season! Okay it wasn't spring but my opinion stands. Anyway, be sure to catch this article on www.type4girl.com on Wednesday, 15th of June. 5 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

TSHIDI Radebe NATURAL HAIR DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR \"I WANT HEALTHY HAIR AND ITS OKAY IF THAT DOESN’T COME WITH LENGTH.\"

DW TSHIDI RADEBE TSHIDI RADEBE: Y CURIOUS BEING ouTuber and emerging also has a dog, Lola, that she adores influencer Tshidi Radebe had a and is passionate about natural hair. chat with Director Woman about her “I love teaching and sharing the natural hair journey, content creation, knowledge that I have,” she says. natural hair misconceptions and HOW WAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP carved out the perfect answer for the WITH YOUR HAIR GROWING UP? age-old question – is that your hair? Tshidi describes herself as a plant “It’s always been healthy.” Tshidi has 4 mommy and shares that she has over sisters, but just she and her older 60 plants! “Plants give me joy, there’s sisters were ‘naturals’. On Sundays, a lot you can learn from plants.” She she, her sister and mom would sit in a 7 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW TSHIDI RADEBE line and she’d base her had done a LENGTH CHECK: OVER IT? sister’s scalp while her disservice to her hair Tshidi shares she’s over mother did hers. and embarked on a the obsession of checking Although she grew up journey of discovery her length because so texturising her hair, her and learning. Her many elements affect mom was always very mom was so invested your growth. “Stress and cautious with how in her hair that she your diet can hurt or help frequently they did so. wouldn’t let her cut it your hair. I’m anemic and I And then at 19, she all off and advised didn’t know it played a big discovered YouTube her to transition part in my hair growth. I and the natural hair instead. She then want healthy hair, and its movement. She shares started transitioning okay if that doesn’t come with us that until then, in 2016 and did her with length. I understand she had actually never big chop at the end the science of natural hair seen her afro in its full of that year, sporting and that not everyone can glory, so she felt she a TWA. achieve waist length hair, some of us stop at shoulder length and that’s what God gave us.” DEBUNKING GROWING COILY HAIR Growing long hair is a goal for many people regardless of their gender. But as Tshidi has mentioned, not everyone can achieve waist length hair and it’s okay. “First, we must take the term natural hair journey literally. It’s a journey and everyone’s journey is not going to be the same. And often you’ll see clickbait videos titled something like ’I grew my hair in 2 months’, but usually that’s all it is, clickbait. When thinking about your hair growth you have to take 8 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW TSHIDI RADEBE nto consideration genes, your diet and of hair, Tshidi is still trying to navigate the environment that you live in. For styling her natural hair and shares me environment is the biggest factor that’s she just learnt how to be because the weather affects your hair. comfortable with how she looks in her Stress management is also important. hair, and it took her a good 6 months Plus there are also people who suffer to achieve that! from things like alopecia – so obviously that will affect your growth.” Lastly, she wants naturals to always remember that different lengths come The 26-year old advises those who with different challenges. “When you just started their hair journey to resist have a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro) and buying every product out there that when you have shoulder length hair, promises them the world. “You’ll see a it’s not the same, you treat it lot of oils being called ‘growth oils’ and differently.” that can turn you into a product junkie if you think you can use them all. Try to TRANSFORMING HOW SOCIETY SEES find something that works for you, MY HAIR spend time with your hair and For Tshidi, feeling comfortable in her understand it.” hair and understanding that there is nothing wrong with it has been a The content creator also stresses struggle from since she was a little working in sections whenever you’re girl. She shares that being both dark- treating your hair. “I’m actually not skinned and having an afro was trying to teach people to work in always tricky to navigate. “For me I sections, I’m teaching them patience! feel it stems from a lack of Natural hair is a lot and you’ll need it. representation. I didn’t see enough And unfortunately there is no shortcut women who looked like me. And even to how much time you’ll need to when I started working in corporate, I spend on your hair on wash days for had to be that representation. And it instance.” wasn’t easy balancing a 9 to 5 and still making time to get my hair done.” Another tip is for you to do your research and try to figure out your IS THAT YOUR REAL HAIR? porosity. “A lot of people want to This is a question a lot of black women watch a 3-minute video and think that are familiar with. It doesn’t matter they understand their hair as a result. whether it’s a wig or your shrink that I’ve been natural for just under 6 years you’re sporting, someone is always and I’m still learning how to have a wondering. Tshidi herself shares that relationship with my hair when it’s out. even though it felt amazing to learn to I can handle it when it’s in twists.” As wear her hair out more, it irked her long as she’s been growing her head that she’d often have to answer that 9 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW TSHIDI RADEBE age-old question. “A couple of weeks queen. The only reason I use store- ago I was out with my friends and a bought products is because I love man asked me if it was rude to ask a doing reviews and I believe in woman if that’s her real hair and I said supporting black women. So most 100%! Whether it’s a wig or its her times when I do buy products, I try natural hair, if it’s a wig, its hers to make sure I buy brands owned because she paid for it. I told him I by black women. Shea butter is my wouldn’t ask him if that was his real go-to product, it has always been beard,” she recounts. a constant in my haircare. For instance, my wash day consists of 2016 vs 2022: WHAT DOES HAIR around 70% natural products or CARE LOOK LIKE? ingredients and once my Tshidi has come a long way in her moisturising process starts, natural hair journey, and while her everything is natural,” she tells us. haircare approach may have changed here and there, the bottomline has YOUTUBE: WHO DO YOU CREATE always been the same. “I have always CONTENT FOR? known that I wanted to care for my hair “I create content for anyone who is with natural ingredients, I am a DIY natural or is thinking of going queen natural. My channel is an educational platform. I started my 10 l JUNE 2022 channel to educate because there is so much about our hair that we are yet to discover; and I felt like I wanted to be the person who experiments on my hair so you don’t have to. So to teach and inform is why I started my channel.” SUPERHEROES: RICE WATER, COCUNUT OIL, YAY OR NAY? There are many products that have set the trend’s lists on fire, in recent years, rice water challenges and endless testimonies about the wonderful full body benefits of coconut oil have dominated natural hair content. “Rice water is too much protein; you can suffer from a protein overload and that can cause problems for you. Trends www.type4girl.com

DW TSHIDI RADEBE Trends are not my thing, because people don’t document enough evidence. They’ll do it for a couple of minutes and that’s that. But with me, I try to come back and tell them my honest opinions. And then coconut oil, there are so many misconceptions about it. I don’t suggest that you use coconut oil in your moisturizing step if you have low porosity hair. It is a penetrative light oil, so you should use it in your pre- poo. If you don’t rinse it out, it will make your hair crispy.” WHAT DO BLACK WOMEN NEED MORE? “I think black women need more support from each other and more honesty. Since I’ve been in the influencer space, I’ve found that we don’t talk a lot about how you get THINGS things like brand deals. And fellow influencers won’t necessarily respond if you ask them. So I would like for us to be open and honest on how we gain things. My subscribers are always shocked when I respond and that shows that there is a problem. We need to support each other, especially when it comes to information.” WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE? “Curious Being.” MY TOP 5 NATURAL HAIR BRANDS “Ode to the Motherland; Afrosense; Love Kinks; Braids by Vuyo and Eyodwa Kuphela.” 17 l MAY 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW WINTER HAIRCARE WINTER HAIR CARE A NATURAL HAIRCARE MINI GUIDE I go by the name, Fezeka Nyawo. I’m the writer and the content creator behind the SONHA Blog. SONHA (which stands for State Of My Natural Hair Address) aims to shed the comedic and relatable side of natural hair care and hairstyling. I saw a lot of women who had manicured huge afros and felt disconnected from them. So, I started writing about my natural hair journey from the learning and testing stages to sharing easy styling techniques for people who have shorter or smaller afros. I also address societal concerns on my blog, such as the importance of supporting black-owned businesses in the hair care industry. BY FEZEKA NYAWO, SONHA oils. Moisturising oils such as coconut, olive and avocado can penetrate the WHAT HAPPENS TO MY HAIR IN WINTER? hair shaft and boost its moisture. They’re best used with water-based Just as your skin feels drier and tighter leave-in conditioners or just plain in the winter season, so too will your water. Sealant oils such as Jamaican hair react in a similar fashion. Hair is Black Castor, Jojoba and Grapeseed more prone to breakage and looks coat your hair strand with a thick layer lacklustre in winter because the air is of protection to help keep the moisture drier and colder. Our hair isn’t able to in your hair. Many would use a sealant retain moisture for longer periods oil, thinking it’s a moisturising oil and because of the harsher weather, which this only makes your hair even drier is why we have to switch up our hair than before. Oils can help to soften, care regimen to ensure our coils and shine and strengthen your hair. Oils also curls stay popping and hydrated. have anti-fungal and scalp care benefits, depending on their properties. WILL MORE OIL HYDRATE So, you need to know what your MY HAIR BETTER? hair’s/scalp’s lacking before choosing any type of oil. It’s not advisable to be heavy-handed with oils unless your hair absolutely DOES MY WASH DAY needs it. There’s a common mistake ROUTINE HAVE TO CHANGE? that people make when using oils to hydrate one’s hair. There's a difference Yes, you would need to switch up your between sealant oils and moisturising wash day routine and hair care routine for winter. Luckily, you don’t have to 12 l JUNE 2022 wash www.type4girl.com

DW WINTER HAIRCARE wash your hair as frequently as much DOES MY HAIR GROW as you do in summer in winter because IN WINTER? you don’t sweat. You also aren’t using as many styling products because your As many dermatologists would say, hair is probably in plaints or is in a your hair grows all the time. Some protective hairstyle. But you do need to people’s hair may grow faster than keep your scalp clean from product others which may be genetic or a build-up. Hair won’t grow on a dirty/ combination of a good hair routine and damaged scalp. And your hair is more a great set of products to support it. So likely to matte together (look like a yes, your hair can grow in winter as well, web) so, washing your hair helps to provided that you do the necessary bring in moisture and clean the scalp. steps to keep it moisturised and It’s also advisable to deep condition healthy. your hair more frequently and do some hot oil treatments. ARE THERE FOODS I CAN BUSTED: DEBUNK A NATURAL EAT TO AID HEALTHIER HAIR CARE MYTH. HAIR IN WINTER? The biggest myth is that braids/ There’s a joke in the hair community extensions are protective hairstyles and that says ‘we walk around with our hair that’s not necessarily the case. If your smelling like a tropical mixture of braids/cornrows are too tight, if your healthy food ingredients but we don’t baby hairs have been pulled and the think to do the same in our diet.’ Eating hairstyle is causing too much tension healthier food has great benefits for on your scalp, then it’s not protecting your hair, skin, energy, your overall your hair at all. Hairstyles that are low health. During winter you can increase tension and aren’t manipulated too your intake of avocado (a fan much, work better to protect your hair favourite), and foods high in Omega3 for long-term growth and health. like salmon. Sweet potato (rich in Vitamin A) and spinach (rich in Zinc), are also beneficial for your hair growth and health. WINTER HAIR CARE A NATURAL HAIRCARE MINI GUIDE 13 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW S O L' (CONTENT PARTNER) Content Partner A GOD MOVIE: WHILE YOU WAIT FOR MR/MRS RIGHT a by S O L' www.type4girl.com fter all the talking that sometimes starts to become exhausting, he comes closer, body to body, his hands movemfroovme your shoulders down to your lower back and his hands against your body, it feels electric. They always feel like that, no matter what excuse he gives you, no matter how long it’s been since he's bothered to communicate. It’s always the same old story. And the idiot always leaves evidence on social media yet his hands always feel electric, like he’s the only person to make your body come alive. It was never like this, it was never complicated. It was always endless chats and all-nighters,, crazy stares into the phone screen and exposed blushing when we were together. We just clicked and it clicked. Mentally we had the same values about life, emotionally we were stable enough to feel the rush of one another, spiritually we understood it was bigger than us and physically enjoyed the physical 14 l JUNE 2022

DW S O L' (CONTENT PARTNER) attraction and its benefits. A BETTER YOU WITH GOD A CRYING GAME Firstly, GOD can’t stop a toxic cycle unless BUT now I’m sitting here playing He is asked, life is connected and in order our favourite game. The crying to see where you are headed with game. Where everyone is telling regards to a relationship, you need to see me I’m the biggest fool for staying where you have been. Now He does want in this cycle. Contently hurt, you to have a beautiful and healthy crushed and destroyed by the relationship where you are both rooted in same guy who makes me come Him and He has a beautiful love story laid alive, who used to wake me up with out for you. Like the story of Jacob and “good morning” texts and put me Rachel. Jacob worked 14 years for to bed with “goodnight”. Now all I Rachel’s hand however in order to have do is re-read funny texts and stare those love stories written in your life you at the phone waiting for it ring… can’t keep looking at the same people What happened to our plans and who you know can’t fulfil that. You need promises that we wouldn’t hurt boundaries. Set yourself apart. Focus on each other? becoming a better you and that is with Sound familiar? If you haven’t GOD. experienced a part of it, you have heard the shortened, extended or Today there are all these cute little saying exact same version of the typical hurt and pain that comes with all over saying things like, “Allow GOD to relationships. control your love life;” “Don’t play around Question? If GOD is supposed to be the overseeing protector why with someone’s future wife;” or “Someone doesn’t He protect us from each other’s toxicity, because let’s face is praying for a wife like you” and it’s true. it, we all can be toxic? We all have the ability to hurt and manipulate Ladies and gents pray for your husband one another and at times we enjoy it. Why is the same damn movie and wives until he/she arrives. Pray that being played with different people in different locations with either while you may be crazy and more intense scenes or unneeded understudies? But the Word says, unresponsive, complicated and simple “And now these three remain faith, hope and love. But The and layered with baggage, greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13-NIV) unreasonable and uncaring at times, he or she will love your amazing body, your loving heart and sexy mind. And while you pray for him or her, start to focus on yourself. Focus on who you are as an individual before who you are in a relationship. “I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it 15 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW S O L' (CONTENT PARTNER) understanding (1 King 4:29- NIV) however his weakness of women ruined him as he turned away from GOD to follow the gods of his wives and concubine. It’s sad that the movie plays over and over again BUT don’t allow it to play in your life. It sucks to wait for anything especially if you know what you are waiting for is good but sometimes you have to wait and not be the one whose phone is buzzing, or giggling into a smartphone, or stays up all night because no one wants to hang up, or has electricity overcome their entire body because of one person and what two bodies can do when they will be even more set boundaries. You are in synergy. fruitful.” (John 15:1-2- need to remain in the NIV) vine. “Remain in me, Remain in the vine. Be You see GOD wants to and I will remain in prune you first. He you. No branch can different and wants to make you bear fruit by itself; it more fruitful in order for must remain in the wait...because a GOD you to understand that vine. Neither can you before you need any bear fruit unless you movie lasts forever. other human, you solely remain in me” (John depend on Him and His 15:4- NIV) REMAIN IN THE VINE. love and once that is achieved, I believe that Don’t have a story like BE DIFFERENT is when He will send you Solomon, he was the famous Mr/Mrs. given great insight AND WAIT... However, you need to and a breadth of BECAUSE A GOD MOVIE LASTS FOREVER. 16 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

SEBUDISIYTILIBANIATSUSFOERUTUFEHT# MAFABATHOS E L I T F O O R O C E - E H S , R E D N U O F - O C WWW.TYPE4GIRL.COM

DW SEBUDISI MAFABATHO s ebudisi Mafabatho, who founded She-Eco Roof Tiles, won the Award for Best Business Creation Project at the 2022 TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge. The company produces tiles that are made from 30% plastic waste. The tiles have an approximate 100-year lifespan, don’t corrode, are lightweight and can be painted. According to her winner profile on the TotalEnergies website, for every roof tile She-Eco Roof Tiles produces, they remove an average of 4 2litre waste bottles from the environment. Our Editor interviewed Sebudisi for Fastrack July Edition. DW: Give me insight into your est ambition right now as a childhood and aspirations growing businesswoman is to build a highly up. successful manufacturing company. SEBUDISI: I've always been a very ambitious young girl. I grew up in the DW: How did your idea come about, Vaal Triangle, I attended my primary what was your AHA moment? and high school there. I then left for SEBUDISI: I think the aha moment Johannesburg for varsity. I started came around 2020, 2021. At the time my tertiary education at Wits before I the Vaal River was heavily polluted, [later] went to Cape town. And in all and I think you would’ve seen it in that, the one thing that kept me the news everywhere. As a result going was my dream and my high- there was this national movement to rehabilitate the river, my best friend 18 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW SEBUDISI MAFABATHO and business partner got the DW: So other than the prize or the contract for the cleaning of the river. As we worked on site and saw just prizes that you won, what would you how much pollution was affecting it, She-Eco was born. So the company say was the most valuable thing was born in response to plastic pollution. about your Startupper Challenge experience? SEBUDISI: Besides meeting DW: What do you think great minds, the was your biggest asset validation. Such programs, throughout the I think to those who have competition? won like myself and also SEBUDISI: The top 15 had to those who didn't, give you obviously assemble first a certain level of for the training from validation. And I think TotalEnergies and its every entrepreneur needs externaal partners, and then for our some form of external validation presentations which we had to outside the internal work that we do, present before a jury of I think 10 and that process gives you that. For people consisting of well-known somebody to believe in my business businesspeople. So I think once you and say, ‘okay, here's the money to are there, you realise that you're help you do it’ is a big deal. surrounded by big minds and that everybody's idea has the potential to DW: Is being your own boss as glamorous as you thought it would win. One of the key things they were be? SEBUDISI: It’s not, it's far from it! It's looking for were green companies hard. I always tell my friends, because sometimes I do consulting work, that it that responded to the SDGs is one thing for you to do something for another person and it is another (Sustainable Development Goals). for you to wake up and have to do it for yourself. The struggle is harder. You And now all of us in the top 15 from have to push harder because you go from [zero] accountability to suddenly South Africa were sitting in the same being the engine and the car at the same time. And I think even the petrol! room with the solutions. I think with So it's very hard. But I love my dream. We [aspire] to have 400 employees, me what set me apart was my but now when paying just seven people, it makes you realize that it's presentation, I had a very technical presentation, and that was also a concern with my coach. So I think what stood out was how much of my business I understood, from the production line to the capacity of the machines and all of that. 19 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW SEBUDISI MAFABATHO actually a big number of people, a big What would you be doing? number of lives that you are impacting. SEBUDISI: I'm on top of a mountain, And that's what keeps me going every hiking somewhere! And then I'm day, even when I'm tired. definitely going for a swim when I come back, I'm an outdoor person. DW: You almost answered my next question, what is the most fulfilling DW: Have you always been a thing about being an entrepreneur? rockstar even as a child? SEBUDISI: Paying salaries! It’s become SEBUDISI: I've always been a that. Every month end, when you have rockstar! I believe that I've always to pay somebody else's salary, you been a high achiever, but it is a bit remember that this thing is bigger than different being a high achiever you and there’s also a sense of when you are an adult, because responsibility knowing that if you don't you go through life and you realise do things right so many people will be that it's not only the mountains, affected by your decisions. there are valleys as well. And there are so many lessons that you need DW: There's no pollution, no climate to learn in between. change, no money problems, nothing. DW: What word of advice would 20 l JUNE 2022 you give other young black women who are considering entering the next Challenge? SEBUDISI: Money in the bank, or a lack thereof rather, should not impede or hamper or disqualify your dream. The society that we live in now? For every entrepreneur, if you don't have money to show for what you're doing, it’s very hard for people to take you seriously. But they need to understand that everybody who's made it, made it because they had a dream. You might not have access to the resources other successful people had, but the only thing that you have in common, is a dream. And when you keep working on that dream, you can overcome so many obstacles. Keep working on www.type4girl.com

DW SEBUDISI MAFABATHO your dream every day as if you're but in the valley. And I cannot getting paid by someone, it will pay off exchange that for anything. I'm so eventually. [grateful] for those moments, because now everything is to the top! DW: What do you think black women need more of? DW: Who is your biggest supporter? SEBUDISI: I think we need to work on SEBUDISI: My biggest supporter is ourselves internally. Nobody else is actually my best friend, Lufuno going to give us what we deserve. We Netshilindi, she's also my business need to get to a point of realising that partner. She's a very powerful everything that we desire is within us. businesswoman and we've been There's a quote that says ‘we are the holding each other's hands for as long ones we are waiting for.’ And I think it’s as I can remember. every black woman's duty to sit down, take time out and realise that DW: What’s next for Sebudisi? everything that they need to succeed SEBUDISI: The next five years will be and survive in this world is found inside focused on the expansion model. In the them and no system or legislation will next five years we have a warehouse or be able to give them what they two in Limpopo, that's our biggest deserve, unless they stand up and get it target. Obviously there'll be a for themselves. production center here in Gauteng. Also, She-Eco Roof Tiles will be found at DW: What would the title of your most local retailers and after 5 years, autobiography be? we'll be looking into expanding into SEBUDISI: I think I would call it The View SADC countries and the rest of the From The Valley. So I hike a lot. And continent. when the clouds have gathered above the trees, they call it waters from above Editor’s remark: Sebudisi is easily a or the gathering of the clouds; and breath of fresh air. We bonded for quite most of the time, it's either, you'll be on some time over our ‘weird’ names that top of them for you to see them clearly; often require a second read-my-lips or you can also be down below, and take every time you meet someone see that view. And if you don't new. I also strongly recommended that appreciate that, and the only view that she take up motivational speaking if you want to see as beautiful is the one she ever has time to spare from saving from above, then you're looking at life the world – you’d agree if you sat in on very confusingly for me. I think you're our interview. missing the point of what life is about. I Some of us see rubbish, and geniuses had a lot of [highs] in my life. But the with big hearts like Sebudisi and her lessons that made me a good friend Lufuno, see Rand signs and entrepreneur, the lessons that made sustainability, kudos ladies! me who I am, were not learnt at the top, 21 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

YTILIBANIATSUSFOERUTUFEHT# LISA SCIMANYD CL ,OEC & REDNUOF VON BENECKE WWW.TYPE4GIRL.COM

DW LISA VON BENECKE l isa Von Benecke is one of three young entrepreneurs who were crowned winners of the 2022 installment of the TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge. She won the Award for Best Female Entrepreneur on the day. The emerging innovator is the founder and CEO of LC Dynamics. According to their website, LC Dynamics is a clean-tech company working to improve access to renewable energy in South Africa and beyond through data-driven systems and novel technology product offerings. The company is developing smart Solar PV window blinds which replace venetian blind slats with solar PV cells, allowing them to generate electricity. Our Editor interviewed Lisa for Fastrack July Edition. doing chemical engineering post- high school [but] had to drop out DW: Tell me a little about yourself. because of funding. I later managed LISA: I love innovating and it's been a hobby and something I've been to get back in and do electrical doing since college. I’ve been taking part in a lot of innovation engineering. I worked as a competitions, I won some previously with different ideas. And that's really maintenance technician at a coal how I got around to even launching a startup. I have a background in power station for 2 years. electrical engineering, I stared out In addition to that, I volunteer a lot, so I've worked a lot in the Non-Profit sector doing project management. So that’s me in a nutshell – innovation, engineering and social impact. [cont] 23 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

DW LISA VON BENECKE DW: Talk me through you winning group amongst ourselves and that’s the Startupper Challenge, is it a still a network that is so valuable to take pinch me moment for you? forward. My start up was only LISA: I would say it has settled in now, registered in December, so [being] I’m back to the grind, so it's back to just 6 months young and having 14 the drawing board and the hard work that I still need to put in. But it's been other people who are also an amazing experience. on this journey with you, The support and the that you can call up and overwhelming feedback complain and vent to I’ve gotten [since] the win when you need to is really has been amazing. valuable. DW: Have you always DW: Competition was been Lisa the innovator & cleary tough, what would do you think teen Lisa would be you say was your biggest asset surprised that you have achieved all coming into the competition? that you have? LISA: I think that my company as a LISA: I think teen Lisa would look at me whole has a very strong vision and it is now and think, ‘oh, that's really cool.’ based on solving a problem that we I'd be really stoked about who I am all experience. So the solutions that I today. I have always been the same presented, the company vision that I person, as a child I always wanted to presented resonated with a lot of be a scientist, and then I grew up and people because we are all [faced realised that my idea of a scientist with] the challenge of accessing was actually an engineer; and I really clean and affordable energy. just followed my passion and stuck to it even when things didn’t go DW: Is it ever a challenge for you to according to plan. explain your offering to clean energy laymen? DW: You won big, but what would LISA: I wouldn’t say it’s difficult to you say was the most valuable part explain, I would say there is an of your experience? [information] gap that I’m also trying LISA: The Challenge itself is a very to close. With anything relating to good experience for any energy, people just want to know what entrepreneur. Every single person in it's going to cost and what it can our cohort (Top 15) was extremely power. And usually that's where an talented at doing something engineer comes in because we do the amazing and innovative in their calculations for you and give you respective fields. And we formed those friendships, we have a WhatsApp group www.type4girl.com 24 l JUNE 2022

DW LISA VON BENECKE opportunity to work with another woman. And I would also say that I wouldn't feel confident to be an entrepreneur right now if I didn't have people ahead of me who served that role. So I've had people who I can literally have met and have seen who gave me that confidence to say, ‘well, I'm not scared to actually take on this big title of CEO and go out and make a name myself.’ DW: What do you do for fun? LISA: Lots of things! I’m a plant mom, I’m obsessed with my vegetable and succulent garden. I draw and paint, I love music and reading. One of my favourite things to do is get with friends, just sit on the grass, and play some music. those figures. We’re still developing an DW: In a perfect world, what would you online platform that will bridge that gap be doing? and allow the layperson to select options LISA: I think I'd still be building things for to give them an indication of cost and fun. Because as I said, I just love recommend [suitable] products. I think experimenting and innovating. I'd also there is definitely a gap in terms of spend more time with art and creating, I understanding the technology and I plan think creative outlets are important. And to bridge it. [People interested in learning I’d continue with my little vegetable more about Lisa’s innovation and garden. A lot would stay the same! company can visit www.lcdynamics.co.za] Editor’s remark: Lisa and I had a good DW: What do you think women of colour chuckle as she answered that last need more of? question. And I let her know just how LISA: More representation. Sometimes you blessed she is because not a lot of need to see a person who looks like you in people can say ‘a lot would stay the your space doing what you do to feel same’ answering that question. confident. Like now, I'm speaking to potential partners and it’s sad that I don't I interviewed Lisa a day before her get to speak to more black women and birthday, and while I already wished her women of color who would like partner and an early one, I’d like to wish her a work with me ecause I would jump at the belated Happy Birthday! I certainly hope she enjoyed it as much as I did our chat and learning about her laymind blowing innovation. 25 l JUNE 2022 www.type4girl.com

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