“Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you” is the principle that powerhouse female entrepreneur, Aisha Pandor does business by.
This also forms the foundation of all her business decisions – making sure that her customers and team are treated in the best possible way.
Pandor’s company, SweepSouth is regarded as one of the leading startups in the country. This year alone, they have scored numerous milestones including successful funding rounds and expanding their national footprint.
Pandor is just one of the many successful women tech entrepreneurs included in this year’s Destiny Connect’s annual Power of 40 list, which celebrates some of SA’s biggest talent including academics, corporate leaders and musicians.
Announced last week, the list profiles 40 of the country’s, and Africa’s most dynamic movers and shakers and this year saw some of the leading female techpreneurs make the cut including 24-year-old bright spark, Lethabo Motsoaledi, co-founder of Motsoaledi & West and Ghanaina tech guru, Ethel Cofie.
They shared what they believe it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Here’s what these 5 women tech entrepreneurs want you to know about finding success.
‘Do Unto Others’
Aisha Pandor – Co-founder of SweepSouth
SweepSouth is the first online platform for booking, paying for and managing home cleaning services from your laptop, phone or tablet, and a 500 Startups Batch 14 alum.
Why She’s BOSS: Pandor has an impressive line-up of accolades that include being named one of the top 50 Most Inspiring Women In Tech, she was named one of Africa’s Breakthrough Female Innovators of 2017 by the World Economic Forum. She was both the Female Tech/E-Commerce Entrepreneur and Best Black Tech/E-Commerce Entrepreneur at the PriceCheck Tech & E-Commerce Awards last year as well.
‘It Takes Sacrifice To Succeed’
Ethel Cofie – CEO of EDEL Technology Consulting
EDEL is an IT consulting company with a presence in West Africa and Europe. She is also the founder of Women in Tech Africa, Africa’s largest women in tech group with members in over 30 African countries and in the diaspora and growing.
Why She’s BOSS: Cofie was this year named one of the Top 5 Women impacting IT in Africa and her company won the IT Consulting Firm of the Year at the Ghana Telecom and IT Awards. She was also shortlisted for the United Nations GEM Tech Awards.
‘You’ve Got To Roll With The Punches’
Portia Masimula – CEO and Co-founder of Karisani IT
Launched in Cape Town in 2013, Karisani IT, is a startup that enables businesses to grow and operate effectively through mobile and web applications. In 2016 Karisani launched AppyApps, a brand-builder website, together with SwingDev for US-based global satellite television channel, ESPN.
Why She’s BOSS: 30-year-old Masimula has been profiled by Forbes Woman Africa and listed as a young independent business leader and game changer on The Young Independent’s Mzansi 100. She is currently a judge on Inspiring Fifty, a show recognizing women in technology and innovation.
‘Behave Like An Entrepreneur’
Lethabo Motsoaledi – Co-founder and co-CEO Motsoaledi & West (M&W)
M&W is a design thinking consultancy that aims to help companies fast-track innovation through applying accelerated design thinking methodology.
Why She’s BOSS: At just 24, Motsoaledi is a 2015 Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow and 2016 Mandela Rhodes scholar. She is also one of Mail & Guardian’s 2017 Top 200 Young South Africans, which celebrates powerful, successful young achievers. She is listed alongside trailblazers such as Aisha Pandor and Rapelang Rabana as Inspiring Fifty’s SA Women in Tech.
‘Do You!’
Lindiwe Matlali – Founder and CEO at Africa Teen Geeks
Africa Teen Geeks is a non-profit organisation that teaches school children and unemployed youth how to code.
Why She’s BOSS: Also part of Inspiring Fifty’s SA Women in Tech, Matlali is also a Young Business Awards top 3 finalist and was in Mail & Guardian’s Top Young South Africans 2014. Africa Teen Geeks was recently named a finalist in the UN Women /ITU Prestigious Equals in Tech awards.
