Growing up in the rural heartlands of Limpopo, I witnessed a unique rhythm of life where men often left their families for city work, while women stayed behind, shouldering the responsibilities of raising children. As a boy, I wondered why this was the norm. Were women inherently more nurturing, or did they simply prefer to stay home? As kids, we often thought they were fortunate, receiving money from their husbands, but the reality was more complex.
For many women without the support of a husband, survival meant turning to entrepreneurship. In our village of Ntwane, I remember women who found creative ways to provide for their families—whether by washing clothes for neighbours, tending gardens, selling eggs, or trading fruits and vegetables. Sadly, these women were often looked down upon, seen as ‘poor’ or ‘unfortunate,’ and even the children selling sweets faced ridicule. I, too, experienced this when my grandmother had me sell sweets at school, a task I initially despised.
Now, I understand that these women were pioneers, navigating the challenging path of entrepreneurship. In South Africa, where women make up a significant portion of small business owners, especially in informal sectors, they are the backbone of many communities. August, celebrated as Women’s Month in South Africa, is a perfect time to honour these resilient women and their entrepreneurial spirit. According to recent statistics, women-owned businesses account for a notable percentage of new enterprises in the country, contributing significantly to the economy.
In this instalment of TransformSA XSpaces, we spotlight three exceptional entrepreneurs who embody this spirit:
Noluvuyo Gqadu
Founder of CodeNgwana, an award-winning tech professional passionate about social impact, education, and technology. With diverse experience across industries, Noluvuyo brings life and meaning to her work, especially in the non-profit sector.
Tony Lebese
Co-Founder & Custodian at EESUP NPC, Tony is a dynamic professional with a deep background in business coaching, particularly within the Kasi economy. Known for his sharp business acumen, he has a proven track record of revitalizing and growing businesses.
Michelle Piliso
Operations Manager at Clowdy, Michelle is dedicated to continuous learning and blends her skills in technology and operations management. She excels in problem-solving, stakeholder management, process engineering, and IT.
Join us as these inspiring leaders unpack the realities of entrepreneurship and the vital role women play in driving economic growth and innovation.
Host: Noluvuyo, the name of your organisation, CodeNgwana, is quite intriguing. How did you come up with it?
Noluvuyo: “Ngwana” literally translates to “child.” So, the name means “code child.” When I started the organisation, I wanted to be intentional about our mission. While many people are already teaching coding to kids, very few focus specifically on the African child from under-resourced communities. The name signifies our commitment to teaching coding to black children and ensuring they have access to these valuable skills.
Host: You mentioned earlier that you’ve had corporate experience, but I’m curious about your early years. What are some principles and lessons that inspired you or contributed to the person you are today?
Noluvuyo: One of the biggest lessons is using failure as a stepping stone. I’ve faced many setbacks in my journey, but the key has been grit—never giving up and understanding that failure is just an opportunity to try again. Another important lesson is consistency. We essentially become the habits we practice daily. From a young age, I learned that discipline and consistently working towards your goals are crucial for success.
Host: It’s clear you’ve been very consistent in your NGO work and have a real passion for working with people. Where does that passion come from?
Noluvuyo: My passion for people stems from my upbringing in various parts of the Eastern Cape. I started school in eDikeni, in a small village called Khwezana, where there was a strong sense of community. I then moved around to King William’s Town and spent a few years there. The communities I grew up in were rich in the spirit of ubuntu, fostering a deep sense of togetherness and love for engaging with others. This strong communal spirit has profoundly influenced my desire to work with and uplift people.
Host: When you founded CodeNgwana, what are some of the pitfalls you had to deal with? And how did you fund your organisation?
Noluvuyo: I started CodeNgwana as a side project while holding a full-time corporate job. Running a business part-time versus full-time are two entirely different experiences, something I learned firsthand when I was retrenched two years ago and had to dive into the business full-time.
One of the major challenges, like for many entrepreneurs, was securing funding and attracting the right capital to sustain the organisation. With limited resources, both financially and in terms of human resources, it was challenging to maximise what we had. Managing a small team as a startup meant finding ways to remain productive and efficient despite these constraints. Balancing these limitations while striving for productivity has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced.
Host: Michelle just tell us a bit about yourself where you from and what you do?
Michelle: I’m based in Johannesburg now, but I’m originally from East London, where I was born and raised. I spent 13 years working in the corporate world, and at the time, I didn’t really see myself as an entrepreneur. However, when COVID hit, I was forced to re-evaluate my path. The expectation at home was that as long as you have a stable job, that’s all that matters. Venturing into something uncertain or pursuing a passion project was not on the table.
The pandemic provided an unexpected relief, and when we were retrenched, it was the perfect opportunity to reassess my life. I started restructuring my career and haven’t looked back since. Now, I’m working in the tech industry as an operations manager at a startup. This role allows me to be part of the growth journey and fully embrace my entrepreneurial spirit.
Also I’m deeply involved in community building. I help curate tech events and support young people and those transitioning into the tech field, guiding them as they navigate their way into technology. I truly enjoy a life dedicated to serving others and making a positive impact in the community.
Host: Can you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in operations?
Michelle: One major challenge is access to skills. Often, due to limited revenue, it’s difficult to secure the right talent at the right time. Developing skills internally is crucial, and it’s important to ensure that we don’t just bring in interns without investing in their growth. At Clowdy, we strive to create a symbiotic relationship where both the interns and the company benefit from their involvement.
Another challenge is related to funding. While there are ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) programmes that can provide support, the eligibility criteria can be quite stringent. Sometimes, it’s a matter of either qualifying or not, which can be a significant hurdle for businesses trying to access these resources.
Host: Tony, let’s start with you. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and where you’re from?
Tony: I was born and raised in Pretoria, and my organisation, EESUP, is also based in Gauteng. We do have projects in other provinces as well.
Host: So, what exactly does EESUP do?
Tony: EESUP helps communities establish their own grocery value chains, enabling them to redirect grocery spending back into their own communities. We empower communities to view themselves as businesses, creating circular economies by leveraging their grocery spend as a starting point.
Host: What kind of problems does EESUP address?
Tony: We tackle inequality. If we look back, we’re familiar with stokvels or social clubs in townships and rural areas. These are groups, often led by women, who pool their resources to support one another. EESUP operates on a similar principle. There’s a significant amount of money spent on food and groceries, mostly going to established retailers. We aim to capture some of that profit and reinvest it into our own communities, helping to circulate that wealth locally.
Tony: By creating alternative value chains for ourselves, we can foster greater economic independence. We’ve developed a mobile app called EESUP, available on all platforms. This app is designed to help communities build their own grocery value chains. Users can download the app, register, and become what we call an “Ubuntuist.” The challenge then becomes sharing the spirit of Ubuntu with others.
The concept of Ubuntu, though profound, isn’t always widely practised. Through our app, we encourage communities to connect, forming micro purchasing consortia for their groceries. This way, they can enjoy the convenience of delivery while benefiting from having their spending redirected back into their own communities.