Since the Inception of Women’s Day on 09 August 1995, we have seen improvements in the representation of Women across various industries as well as better awareness towards issues facing women in modern society. There is still a long way to go as there’s a significant disparity regarding gender equity.

As Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”, the women we have chosen to highlight today have certainly thrown something back by exhibiting the ability to thrive and show that women not only deserve the opportunity to Participate in this economy but they Thrive in it. FALWARD takes pride in shining a spotlight on these remarkable women who continue to leave an indelible mark in their respective industries, serving as beacons of light and inspiration for all.

Nthabiseng Mosia – Co-Founder of Easy Solar. 

Nthabiseng is the Co-Founder of “Easy Solar”, which is a distribution company focused on providing a range of solar products on affordable financing plans. Easy Solar was also ranked amongst the top 10 African fastest-growing businesses of 2023.

Through her work with Easy Solar, Nthabiseng Mosia has been recognized as a social entrepreneur, dedicated to tackling energy poverty and promoting sustainable development. She continues to be an advocate for renewable energy and women’s empowerment, contributing to the advancement of clean energy solutions and social impact in the region.

Nthabiseng continues to be a trailblazer and has been recognised for her amazing work by Forbes Africa, making the 30 under 30 list in 2019 as well as being a Top 20 finalist in Africa’s Business Heroes. She delves deeper into some of the inspirations and challenges she has faced as a social entrepreneur on the “Let’s Fix It” podcast which you can listen to here- https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KDj9cb0mecGeg0VX4NCRz?si=69bcb6cede6a4c78.

Morongwe Mokone & Moshibudi Michelle Mokone  – Founder of Mo’s Crib 

Morongwe Mokone and Moshibudi Mokone are the Founder’s of “Mo’s Crib”, an eccentric home décor design company which specializes in the manufacturing of sustainable handmade décor items. Mo’s Crib has made a concerted effort to ensure conservation of the environment by reusing and recycling materials in their production process. 

The sister’s are dedicated to ensuring that their business cultivates a product that is environmentally friendly while simultaneously being of high-quality.  In addition to this, Mo’s Crib has placed job creation as one of its highest priorities as they remain adverse to the idea of using automated machinery in their factories. Morongwe elaborated on this during an interview with the Business Insider by stating, “It doesn’t really matter about the money or the investment that is going to come in if we are not going to be able to offer those job opportunities..”

Morongwe and Moshibudi are a success story and have shown the importance of belief in yourself as well as the tenacity to thrive in their industry. To learn more about Mo’s Crib and the journey the sisters have taken in developing Mo’s Crib as a brand, watch the interview with Business Insider https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXruTo0gaX4 . Mo’s Crib products can be found on their website – https://www.moscrib.co.za/ as well as at your local Mr Price Home, @home & Woolworths.

Namhla Mniki-Mangaliso – Director of African Monitor & Founder of KB Media & Development Communications 

Namhla Mniki-Mangaliso is an Advisor to the Presidency on women’s economic empowerment and a Co-Chair of the Women’s Economic Assembly. She was also an Executive Director of “African Monitor”, an Independent Pan-African body that focuses on bringing additional African voices to the development agenda by ensuring citizens have the capacity, platforms and opportunity to participate in decision making processes. Namhla is also the founder and CEO of KB Media & Development Communications.

She is also an advocate for government accountability in Africa and is a specialist in the citizen-centric approaches that promote accountable leadership and good governance. Her work within the African continent has seen her interact extensively with key government institutions such as the United Nations, NEPAD and UNECA etc. 

Her work with the Women’s Economic Assembly (WECONA) further highlights her passion for women’s empowerment as the initiative focuses on addressing women’s unequal social and economic positions. For further information on some of the key objectives of WECONA, visit https://wecona.org.za/

Each day is an opportunity to promote gender equality and support women’s rights. Today’s celebration is a call to action, urging us all to stand up, speak out, and make a difference by supporting, uplifting, and respecting women in all aspects of life. In this way we pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive world. Let’s work together to build a world where every woman can thrive and soar. Happy Women’s Day!

Image: Nthabiseng Mosia