Meet the Top 3 Womenpreneur Her Perfect Pitch winners

The Top 3 Womenpreneur Her Prefect Pitch winners in the Jacaranda FM competition were announced recently and the winner walked away with a cool million rand in prizes and mentorship after an extraordinary display of creativity and economic prowess by a multitude of enterprising women.

The three remarkable winners who captivated are Morongwe Mokone, owner of Mo’s Crib, Faith Mokgalaka, owner of Puno Pioneering and Hlobisile Yende from The Yende and Partners.

“The pool of talent and innovation we witnessed during this competition was truly exceptional,” Minize Haron, chief marketing officer at Access Bank South Africa, says. Access Bank sponsored the competition.

“These women are pioneers, changing the economic landscape while uplifting other women and that is exactly what this competition is about,” Deidre King, MD of Jacaranda FM, says.

Jacaranda FM and Access Bank South Africa praised the perseverance and spirit of all womenpreneur participants in a joint statement, encouraging every woman to illuminate her path and continue blazing trails in the business world.

“Womenpreneur Her Perfect Pitch has been an eye-opening journey, showcasing remarkable talent and societal impact. It is an honour for us to co-sponsor an event that celebrates remarkable and their business prowess and social value.”

With these exceptional womenpreneurs leading the way, the future of South African entrepreneurship appears brighter than ever, they said.

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First place: Morongwe Mokone

Mokone launched Mo’s Crib with a profound dedication to sustainability that permeates every aspect of the brand. Prioritizing fair wages and safe working conditions for local artisans through ethical sourcing practices, the company fosters a strong sense of community and empowerment.

By maintaining a transparent and ethical supply chain, the company not only delivers exceptional homeware but also play an integral role in the socioeconomic advancement of African communities. This steadfast commitment to social responsibility has solidified their reputation as a brand that not only offers exceptional products but also actively works towards the upliftment of the communities it serves.

Mokone prize consists of radio airtime to the value of R500 000 on Jacaranda FM, R100 000 in cash, accompanied by an investment guide from Access Bank, comprehensive business support including a 6-week mentorship, a tailor-made business model consultation, presenter training to amplify her public speaking skills and a PR and digital consultation to enhance her brand’s visibility.

Second Place: Faith Mokgalaka

Makgolele’s Puno is a pioneering platform that integrates technology and agriculture, providing crowd-investments and insurance for marginalised smallholder farmers across Africa. With 33 million farmers seeking financial aid, Puno’s distinctive approach serves as a vital financial ally, fostering food security and transformative change.

Leveraging investor resources, Puno offers short-term loans and insurance to nurture a sustainable agricultural value chain. With a vision for a thriving future, Puno aims to realize the full potential of African agriculture, empowering every farmer and every yield.

Drawing from personal experiences in a farming family and a background in computer science from Wits University, Faith’s vision for Puno emerged as a comprehensive solution to bridge financial gaps and transform the lives of these farmers.

Her prize includes R75 000 in cash, with an Access Bank investment guide. 

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Third place: Hlobisile Yende

Hlobisile Yende, a third-generation farmer following her family’s legacy, was driven into agriculture by its role in financing her education, leading her to pursue a master’s degree and formalise her enterprise for future sustainability.

She actively engages in the Corteva Women in Agriculture programme, emphasising the importance of leaving a lasting legacy. Adapting to water scarcity, she introduced rain-fed butternuts, yielding 40 tons from a successful one-hectare trial, demonstrating the potential for sustainable growth.

Her business ethos centres on addressing agricultural gaps, prioritising expansion, food security and empowerment, especially for aspiring female farmers, while recognising her farm’s contribution to national food security.

Her prize includes R50 000 in cash and an investment guide.

The top 10 finalists will each get R100 000 worth of airtime on Jacaranda FM and a R50 000 educational study voucher from Access Bank.