MEJ: My Entrepreneurship Journey

Lifuo Makhele

Lifuo Makhele engages in intimate conversations with entrepreneurs in Africa and beyond to learn about their entrepreneurial journeys. You will hear about their sapience, fearlessness, their perseverance and resilience. In each episode, these leaders share their personal entrepreneurship paths that were not easy but ultimately led to success, sometimes failure. All lessons. read less
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Episodes

Adaptive Leadership Coaching: Dr Thabo Mosala
Jun 18 2023
Adaptive Leadership Coaching: Dr Thabo Mosala
Dr Thabo Mosala is CEO and Founder at Adaptive Leadership Coaching.  As an executive coach, Dr Thabo Mosala provides support and tailor made personal and professional development for business and corporate leaders who are already excelling in their fields.  He focuses broadly on leadership, behavior and strategy, which are the key pillars that drive performance in an organization.  His approach is designed to assist one to achieve their goals and aspirations.Dr Mosala started his career in the IT industry within Transnet (Spoornet, Datavia and SA Express Airways) He later switched to the commercial side of business when he joined Diners Club South Africa as director of operations.  He was later seconded to Lesotho as head of retail banking in a capacity of executive director and deputy to the MD.Subsequently, Dr Mosala established Wrenjos Capital focusing on venture capital and enterprise development, including offering advisory services through the consulting business unit.Dr Thabo Mosala is a lecturer of Strategy, Leadership, Finance and Business Environment on a part time basis at GIBS, Wits Business School and UNISA School of Business Leadership.In 2011, he was voted the best lecturer for MBA at GIBS.  He has been an executive coach for the past 10 years and is listed on the panel of coaches at a few corporates.Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/Facebook: My Entrepreneurship JourneyInstagram: @mejpodcastEmail: lifuo@mejpodcast.comWebsite: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Utamu Foods: Dr. Trust Pfukwa
May 28 2023
Utamu Foods: Dr. Trust Pfukwa
Dr. Trust Pfukwa, originally from Mutare, Zimbabwe, is the fourth born in a family of six.  He did his education in Mutare before moving to Harare for his tertiary  studies.  After graduation, he worked as a production supervisor for Simbisa Brands' Bulawayo office for five years until he was laid off.  He moved to South Africa in 2016 to study food science at Stellenbosch University where two of his siblings, as well as sister in law, have also graduated from with PhDs.  In his research, Dr. Trust Pfukwa focuses on phytochemistry, food product valorisation and meat science.Utamu Foods was started by Dr. Trust Pfukwa while completing his doctoral research.  The name "Utamu" is a Swahili word that means sweetness.  It is therefore the mission of Utamu Foods to harness unique flavours and nutritional value from indigenous South African fruits into quality and healthful consumer products.  Indigenous South African fruits also offer an opportunity to tap into climate smart, environmentally sustainable food sources which is important for more resilient , secure and sustainable food supply.At its heart, Utamu Foods seeks to ignite in every tea lover a deeper understanding and ultimately;  appreciation, of local flavors while encouraging healthy living.   The company invites customers to experience the unique flavors and aromas of local fruits, long cherished by our forefathers.Utamu Foods' one of a kind honeybush tea blends ultimately serve you the taste of Africa in a cup!Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/Facebook: My Entrepreneurship JourneyInstagram: @mejpodcastEmail: lifuo@mejpodcast.comWebsite: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Marini Naturals: Niyati Patel
Mar 26 2023
Marini Naturals: Niyati Patel
Marini Naturals is Africa's first quality haircare range for all natural hair.  It is a Kenyan-owned haircare line founded by two friends; Michelle Ntalami and Niyati Patel.  The idea came to Michelle in 2013 when she made the decision to live a healthier lifestyle, and hence cut her hair to grow it afresh naturally.  However, at the time there were very few good quality and affordable products that catered to the African woman with natural hair.Because of this, she was determined to create a quality haircare line that is fully suited to the natural-haired African, men, women and children alike.  She shared the idea with her family and her best friend Niyati, and the beautiful journey began!Niyati, being from Indian heritage, brought in a wealth of expertise on how to maintain long, strong, healthy hair using herbs and remedies, as has been the secret of the Indian community for years.  Together, they therefore sought to make moisture the main differentiator for all Marini Naturals products.And so, in 2013, with the help of top laboratories, formulators, cosmetic experts, hairdressers and designers, they came together, researched, formulated, tested and created a product of their own.They called it Marini Naturals.Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/Facebook: My Entrepreneurship JourneyInstagram: @mejpodcastEmail: lifuo@mejpodcast.comWebsite: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com
TM Group: Teboho Nthoana (formerly Mafodi)
Oct 16 2022
TM Group: Teboho Nthoana (formerly Mafodi)
Teboho Nthoana (formerly Mafodi) is a highly experienced and well respected business executive with over 15 years' senior executive management and operations experience in the ICT, Investment, Retail, Energy (Oil & Gas), Property, Construction and Management Consulting sectors with global experience in the private and public sectors at senior levels, including strategy formulation, leading multi-disciplinary teams, business re-engineering and driving organizational change.Teboho is a recognised expert in infrastructure development, with a solid track record in structuring and financing private and public projects in Africa and other emerging markets.  He has contributed to creating and executing a pipeline of early stage transactions in the conventional and renewable (green) energy sectors as well as implementing risk management policies and compliance with valuation procedures.He is a long-time champion of suitable project management, infrastructure and built environment practices, which has implemented in the value of approximately 10 billion portfolio that he manages as CEO of  TM Group.Teboho represents TM Group or its parent company on various boards (both owned and external vested businesses) as well as sub-committees to the boards.Follow us on Twitter @mejpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mej-my-entrepreneurship-journey/Facebook: My Entrepreneurship JourneyInstagram: @mejpodcastEmail: lifuo@mejpodcast.comWebsite: https://mejpodcast.buzzsprout.com