France champagne brand Veuve Clicquot is honoring six South African women entrepreneurs, having recognized their grit, innovative ideas, and impact on society.
These six trailblazing women have been selected as finalists for Veuve Clicquot’s 2024 Bold Woman Award and Bold Future Awards.
The Bold Woman Award established in 1972 is the longest-running international accolade for women in business. It is inspired by the entrepreneurship of its founder, Madame Clicquot, and rewards and promotes daring women entrepreneurs who impact their sector of activity and Society.
On the other hand, the Bold Future Award rewards female entrepreneurs who have established or taken over their businesses less than five years ago.
Bold Woman Award finalists
Morongwe Mokone, co-founder of Mo’s Crib
Mo’s Crib is a South African home décor design company specializing in manufacturing sustainable handmade décor items. It was founded by two sisters, Michelle Mokone and Morongwe Mokone, as an artistic side hustle.
The company is centered on promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.
Led by Morongwe, the company makes practical handmade items like baskets and planters using recycled materials like reclaimed PVC water pipes.
Currently, Mo’s Crib is the biggest exporter of African crafts in Africa and has grown into a successful multinational business with hundreds of stores across the globe.
Morongwe is the company’s creative director and head of business development working to secure partnerships with global brands and retailers like Crate & Barrel and Target, which carry Mo’s Crib’s products.
Notably, Morongwe was the winner of the 2023 Womenpreneur Her Perfect Pitch
Ndiambani Magadagela, CEO and co-founder of Everlectric
Everlectric is South Africa’s first electric vehicle leasing business, offering a comprehensive package of international electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and innovative finance solutions. Magadagela’s vision is driving the transition to cleaner, more efficient logistics and fleet operations.
Ndiambani started her career in audit at Deloitte before moving on to Development finance as a Senior Deal Maker at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and Principal in Mergers and Acquisitions at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings.
According to Ndiambani, the company is looking to hire more women having noticed the lack of women in the logistics industry.
“The reality is that there aren’t many females in the logistics industry. This is something we’re specifically aiming to address, seeking out women to take on roles in charger and vehicle maintenance and electrical engineering roles,” she said in a past interview.
Tshegofatso Molefi, co-founder and director of Moli & Mela Group
Moli & Mela is a waste management company that specializes in waste removal and disposal. It is 100% women and 100% black run company established in 2017. The company is looking to plug the gap in a male-dominated industry.
Moli & Mela aims to provide innovative and sustainable recycling solutions that reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and promote environmental stewardship. The company has grown and owns 8 trucks.
Molefi founded Moli & Mela with her best friend, after quitting her media and journalism career.
Bold Future Award finalists
Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of Hakem Energies
Refilwe Sebothoma’s bread and butter is liquid petroleum gas (LPG). As South Africa faces load-shedding challenges, Sebothoma is promoting the use of LPG particularly in rural communities and townships as a sustainable and safer alternative to traditional fuel sources. Her company produces LPG in small portable 5kg cylinders while offering “pay-as-you-use” refills.
“Hakem Energies invests in education and awareness of gas cylinder usage, aiming to empower communities and mitigate the risks associated with traditional fuel sources,” Sebothoma said during the official launch of Hakem Energies on 16 February 2024, in Rustenburg.
Sebothoma is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and strategist who has been in the entrepreneurship space for about 12 years and has founded seven companies in related service areas, in that time.
Rapelang Ramatlhodi, founder and CEO, of Solarev Solutions
Solarev Solutions specializes in solar panel cleaning and maintenance, ensuring optimal efficiency and cost savings for solar PV system owners.
The company services residential, commercial and industrial Solar PV Systems across South Africa. Solarev is a 100% black woman-owned and operated company. They only use deionized reverse osmosis filtered water and specialized solar cleaning equipment in their cleaning processes.
Ramalthodi came up with the idea of cleaning and maintaining solar panels during the Covid-19 pandemic. She was running a window cleaning business only to notice dirty solar panels on her clients’ roofs. This gave birth to Solarev.
Lufuno Rasoesoe, founder and managing director of Tosh Detergents
Tosh Detergents is a company that manufactures household cleaning detergents. Lufuno Rasoesoe founded the company in March 2021. Rasoesoe is in charge of strategic planning, operations management, team leadership, overseeing the production process and managing financial performance in the company.
Despite facing stiff competition during its early days, the company’s products are now sold in several leading retail stores.
“One of the most fulfilling aspects of this journey has been the ability to employ the youth in my community. By providing job opportunities and fostering a supportive work environment, we’ve contributed to the local economy and helped young individuals develop valuable skills and gain employment,” Rasoesoe said.
This year’s finalists will be judged and mentored by former winners Claire Blanckenberg (founder and CEO of Reel Gardening) and Amanda Dambuza (founder and CEO of Uyandiswa Group) among other industry leaders and brand representatives.
The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award ceremony will take place on July 17, 2024, in Johannesburg with one winner being selected in each category.
