Earlier this month Twitter user @Mashstartup asked people to make a thread of things they built, designed or created during the Covid-19 lockdown. From the many comments, a few women shared their business stories.
Mvula App
Started by 21-year old University of Johannesburg BCom Accounting student Lucia Ntsele, Mvula app offers a platform for local authors to share their work. “With this app, I’m trying to make sure local authors get noticed for their literature and that anyone who wants to publish, but isn’t financially able to do so, has a chance to tell their stories,” she says. The app assures authors low risk of piracy. Lucia came up with the idea when she faced difficulties in getting her novel published. Follow Mvala app on social media for more information: @AppMvula on Twitter, @mvulaaap on Instagram and Mvula App on Facebook.
AJ MediaTech (Pty) Ltd
Created by Amanda Moropa close to a year ago, AJ MediaTech is an innovative public relations (PR), IT and communications company. Though it has been around for a while, Amanda claims that lockdown has given her the gift of time, as she is able to fully focus on the business she started and figure out ways to grow it into a powerhouse post lockdown. AJ MediaTech offers media relations, PR and social media strategy development, events, digital marketing services and more. Before venturing on her own, Amanda had close to 10 years of experience in the PR and comms industry. http://ajmediatech.co.za/
Tyla Made Wicks by Tayla-Inez
Tayla Naika, 26-year old from Cape Town, turned her sad story of not getting a salary due to lockdown (and not being able to get her mom a Mother’s Day gift) into a business by making scented candles. “I looked at items I had around the house and found loadshedding candles and recycled jars. I watched a quick YouTube video on making candles, and voila!” says Tayla. With no intention of selling candles, she posted the few she made for her mom, and people wanted them. That’s when she decided to take up the opportunity of starting her candle business. Find Tayla’s candles on social media: @TaylaMadeFood on Instagram and @TayTheNomad on Twitter. Her candles come in lavender, cinnamon and grapefruit scents.
GG Consulting Group
Durban-based industrial relations and human resources company GG Consulting Group was started by Thembelihle Mkhize (24) in July. Naming the company after her late mother Gugu Gloria, Thembelihle admits her journey can sometimes be overwhelming, but believes “God would not put a dream in your heart if He had no intention of making it come true.” With a few years of industry experience, Thembelihle holds an Honours Degree in Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial Relations. You can reach GG Consulting Group via email on info@ggconsultinggroup.co.za. The website will be live from September.
Author: Yonga Balfour