Women’s Month is an important calendar month in South Africa. As we commemorate the women of 1956, we believe it is as important to spotlight the women of today that are pioneering in their various fields and industries.
Our Moziak Women’s Month Portrait Series takes a look at 15 such pioneers through the lens of editorial and advertising photographer, George Qua-Enoo.
VIKA SHIPALANA
A lifestyle & luxury connoisseur, brand consultant and founder of the VBS Luxury Group, entrepreneur Vika Shipalana, has created a platform that gives African luxury brands a fighting chance in the global luxury market by taking African luxury brands and good to the rest of the world.
Creating luxury experiences for both individuals and brands: fashion meets events meets experiences, Vika has brought new meaning to “consuming luxury” with “money can’t buy” experiences which are heavily linked to a strong networking aspect with contacts that Vika has cultivated over the years.
Previously the Prestige Director of Pernod Ricard South Africa, Vika is a leader in African luxury and one of the most respected names in her field and continues to challenge the status quo as to how we perceive, interpret and consume African luxury.
MELANIE RAMJEE
One cannot think of the South African media and entertainment industry without mentioning Melanie Ramjee fondly known as Hypress. A PR extraordinaire – CEO of Tutone Communications, Melanie has played an instrumental role in SA popular culture as we know it.
With a background in fashion design, Melanie’s career change to PR has now strongly influenced a whole new generation of people to study and practise Public Relations.
Melanie’s impressive portfolio includes some of the country’s biggest local and international campaigns and events, as well as notable brands which Melanie has helped launch in the urban markets and nationwide.
Close to Melanie’s heart is the Special Olympics South Africa, which she serves as an ambassador and board member.
LESEDI MASHALE
With an Honours in Marketing and an MBA, Lesedi holds the position of Head of PR, Influencers & Events at Diageo SA.
The changing nature of advertising has seen Lesedi thrive using the right stakeholders to position the brands she works with favourably in the industry and to consumers. Lesedi looks after high profile global brands such as Johnnie Walker, Ciroc, Tanqueray, Haig Club Clubman, and Smirnoff to highlight a few.
Starting out as an assistant brand manager at Unilever in 2011, Lesedi has risen to hold numerous leadership positions and is considered a major player in a male dominated industry.
An entrepreneur by heart, Lesedi started her own company, Moriri By Lesedi which specialises in virgin hair distribution for both wholesale and individual.
MAVIS MENSAH-PAH
A Financial Analyst with an MBA working in government, Mavis Mensah-Pah (formerly Mavis Anim), is a steadfast beacon of Ghanaian cultural preservation and celebration in South Africa.
As the founder of GhanaFest SA, an annual Ghanaian cultural festival in South Africa, founder of Ghana Awards SA, an annual excellence award, and CEO of MayMay Production, a talent management and modelling agency, Mavis not only brings Ghanaians together, but Africans from all walks of life.
Mavis is also an advocate for childhood cancer which led to her co-founding an NGO called Hope 4 Childhood Cancer Foundation (HCC Foundation).
AMI FAKU
Eastern Cape’s South African musician with a notable voice, Ami Faku, is disrupting the South African radio charts with 5 standout singles and a #1 placement on the RAMS Top 100 Radio Chart (Into Ingawe, Love Drunk, Ubuhle Bakho, Ndikhethe Wena, Ungowam).
The musical gem made her official entry into the music industry last year, and with her highly anticipated impending debut album release next month, Ami Faku is expected to break further grounds as an artist.
Featured on our “Moziak Top 8 Must Watch In Culture” list earlier this year, renowned Entertainment Editor, Lesley Mofokeng, shared: “With her unique approach to modern Afro-Pop, Ami Faku will change the sound and feel of African music. She will usher in a new phase and reach the iconic status of the likes of Sade, Tracy Chapman, Aretha Franklin, Siphiwe Dana, Alicia Keys, Brenda Fassie and Busi Mhlongo.”
