The world of wealth is ever-changing, yet everlasting. High-net-worth individuals are constantly having to keep up with their wealth and the factors that impact it, like the pandemic, rising inflation and the economy’s boom and bust cycles. Safeguarding their money through volatile markets is of utmost importance. For the first time in 11 years, FORBES AFRICA is honoring the keepers of these vaults, who have persevered in the toughest of times. We speak to 10 of south Africa’s experts who specialize in wealth advisory and management services. A common theme: wealth preservation, not only in South Africa but across the continent, which is key to the growth of any economy, even as times and trends change. 







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Art Director: Lucy Nkosi WORDS AND CURATION: Chanel Retief &amp; Lillian Roberts Photography: Katlego Mokubyane; Assistant: Sandile Mkhize Studio: NewKatz.Studio by Katlego Mokubyane, Johannesburg Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave Hair &amp; Makeup: Thapelo Letsebe Videography: Daniel Kopolande Video Editor: Chanel Retief 



<a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-october-november-2022/">Get your copy of your October/November issue now available.</a>

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The Wealth & Money Cover Stars: Meet The Professionals Behind Wealth Preservation In South Africa

&#8220;I founded this company when I was sick,” Carla Frankel says with a shaky voice, when we meet in Botswana in April for the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa. When she says that, the people around her listen, as she unravels to FORBES AFRICA the story of how she created the Top Drawer Collection, retailing personalized luxury sleepwear, in South Africa.



“In life-altering moments, I stood at the crossroads and pushed boundaries and used negative experiences to create really great products and experiences, rather than choosing the road of defeat and victimization.”



At the age of 21, Frankel was walking around campus and suddenly felt her feet burn, which actually turned out to be Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis.



“In other words, I had a stroke!” she recounts. Two years before that, Frankel had already been diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases; antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) as well as Lupus. During her second year at university, she had another stroke during a four-hour exam. This resulted in three weeks of hospitalization and Frankel being unable to finish her exams.



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It was during the recovery phase that she realized that the only thing in that “dark period” that lifted her spirits was the pair of matching pajamas her mom had bought for her from retail chain Woolworths.



“We would make quite a moment of them, put on face masks, and watch our favorite movies. Those pajamas with my mom weren’t just pajamas — they were a layer of comfort and safety. They were an armor of sorts to me that helped me feel beautiful and safe even while so disconnected from myself, in this foreign body that didn’t feel like mine.”



Coming into this moment feels almost full circle for Frankel as she admits that she started reading FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 lists five years ago and had always been inspired by the stories of the founders in them.



“I noticed that a large commonality in each person was overcoming challenges to create solutions and innovate. Most of all, I found inspiration in how most of these people made the choice to voyage forward into the path of success despite circumstances being against them.



“A near-death experience is the reason Top Drawer Collection exists, and with every negative health experience I face, a new, even better product is born to meet the need that I would only know how to fulfill by walking through the thorns and making it to the other side.”



Within six months of starting Top Drawer, Frankel says she received orders from South African celebrities such as actor-producer Connie Ferguson and influencer Kefilwe Mabote. Corporates like Unilever were also ordering sleepwear from her. Even when Covid-19 hit, she still managed her business.



“We have reached the market cap for the units that can be produced locally. I sell what I have, and there is a waiting list unbelievably long for those who didn’t manage to secure a set on a restock day. I am very grateful for the desire for the product.&#8221; Frankel says.



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Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Additional Research &amp; Reporting: Lillian Roberts Photography: Ilan Godfrey for Forbes Videography and production: Timothy Pierson for Forbes &amp; Chad McClymonds for Forbes Video Editor: Chanel Retief Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave; Assistant: Tumelo Nkwe Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty; Thapelo Letsebe Location: Image Lounge, Botswana and 2022 Forbes Under 30 Summit



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#FORBESAFRICA30UNDER30: Meet Cover Star CARLA FRANKEL: ‘With Every Negative Health Experience…A New, Even Better Product is Born’

Having grown up as a conservative Northern Nigerian, it was ingrained in Fatima Babakura that at a certain age, inevitably, she would have to finish school and then get married “to someone rich who can take care of you”.



But Babakura was never going to let this happen.



“Living in Lagos gave me a different perspective because I was living around people whose mindset was ‘make your own money and then go to school’ so it’s not like you are waiting for someone to come and take care of you’,” Babakura tells FORBES AFRICA. “And because I was privileged enough to experience that, I am not your average Northern Nigerian girl.”



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Babakura is the founder, chief executive officer and designer of Timabee, an accessories brand that “redefines luxury in Africa and beyond”.



Her sharp eye for design, curiosity and yen for imagining a product and bringing it to life motivated her to start Timabee.



Babakura began the brand in her first year of university in Canada.



She had designed a “simple handbag” and given it to her close family friend as a gift.



“I didn’t even think it was that great,” she laughs. But continuing on with her theme to be “curious”, she set out to find a manufacturer who would make this bag.



“Keep in mind, I was an accounting student with no business or fashion background. I did a simple Google search which led me to Alibaba where I found a company that agreed to make me a sample for $150 in December 2013.”



From the pocket money she received from her parents, 17-year-old Babakura set out to spend the $150 which she ended up losing as “I interacted with a fraudulent vendor and had no clue”.



Losing the money did not stop her.



“I was determined to find someone else to make my bag, but this time I was a lot more careful and I did my due diligence researching the company.”



One of the biggest highlights for Timabee was in 2021, when the brand was approved by award-winning American artist and businesswoman, Beyoncé.



“Last year, when Beyoncé’s team compiled a list of black-owned businesses, we were honored to make the list. It just goes to show that as a small, growing brand, the work we put in every day does not go unnoticed.”



Having taken the pro-women approach when it comes to running her business, she wants to encourage many women, including those who may look like her, to feel empowered to start enterprises.



“Starting Timabee as a young girl, there were many mistakes I made as I did not seek out mentorship earlier on due to the fear of being rejected. I learned a lot through trial and error, many of which cost the company money and could have easily been avoided had I sought mentorship,” Babakura says. “This is a major reason why I have set up Timabee global resources, a concept aimed at helping entrepreneurs in the accessory business navigate their way to global recognition and achieve success. I truly believe in paying it forward and so in the next three years, I hope to open a mentoring school specifically for high school and university students where they can have hands-on experience on the business of fashion especially as it relates to Africa.



“Many girls from Northern Nigeria aspire to marry rich as a ‘career path’, sadly. I believe that through my mentorship program, the right mindset will be the foundation for future success especially since I will be an example to them through my achievements as a Northern girl.”



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Additional Research &amp; Reporting: Lillian Roberts Photography: Ilan Godfrey for Forbes Videography and production: Timothy Pierson for Forbes &amp; Chad McClymonds for Forbes Video Editor: Chanel Retief Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave; Assistant: Tumelo Nkwe Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty; Thapelo Letsebe Location: Image Lounge, Botswana and 2022 Forbes Under 30 Summit



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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1024x341.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-55433" width="683" height="227" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-300x100.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-768x256.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1536x512.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-2048x683.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>

#FORBESAFRICA30UNDER30: Meet Cover Star FATIMA BABAKURA- ‘I am not your average Northern Nigerian girl’

THE FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 CLASS OF 2022 CARE ABOUT BEING VISIONARIES OF CHANGE AND CATALYSTS FOR INNOVATION. BEING ON THE MOST-ANTICIPATED LIST ON THE CONTINENT, FOR THESE YOUNG TRAILBLAZERS, IS NOT JUST ABOUT COMMERCE AND CLOUT BUT ABOUT ENSURING THEY REPRESENT WELL THEIR COUNTRIES AND THE DIVERSE, HETEROGENEOUS AFRICA THEY WANT TO SERVE. CELEBRATING ITS EIGHTH EDITION, THE LIST THIS YEAR FEATURES THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST, BUT IMPORTANTLY, THE MOST RESILIENT, WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO NOT ONLY SHINE A LIGHT ON THE ISSUES PLAGUING AFRICA’S GROWTH IN A PANDEMIC ERA BUT ALSO WORK TOWARDS SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE, ONE TINY, TENACIOUS STEP AT A TIME.



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Making it to the inner sanctum of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list is no mean feat. The process began in October last year on our online platform that saw over a thousand applications and nominations streaming in. If successful, to proceed to the second round, nominees needed to provide valid evidence of their endeavors and ventures.



Each year, the process gets even more stringent at this stage. We also gleaned suggestions from our 30 Under 30 alum, employing the same rigorous process as last year to whittle the list down to 30 finalists across the business, technology, sports, health and creative sectors.



For yet another year, SNG Grant Thornton came on board as our audit partners to assess company financials from losses to growth margins to overall revenue and profits since incorporation. Background checks were conducted on the potential listers, which included going through documentation such as police clearance certificates to ensure that they had no criminal record, troubling lawsuits/bankruptcies and allegations of crime, misconduct, sexual harassment/abuse or fraud charges against them.



The finalists were vetted by the editorial team and a panel of high-profile judges and subject-matter experts. Our judging panel’s comments are testimony to some.



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Additional Research &amp; Reporting: Lillian Roberts Photography: Ilan Godfrey for Forbes Videography and production: Timothy Pierson for Forbes &amp; Chad McClymonds for Forbes Video Editor: Chanel Retief Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave; Assistant: Tumelo Nkwe Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty; Thapelo Letsebe Location: Image Lounge, Botswana and 2022 Forbes Under 30 Summit



<a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-june-july-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">For the full list download your digital copy here</a>

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Inside the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 Class of 2022

“RISKING YOUR JOB FOR 10 MINUTES OF SLEEP&#8230; THAT’S CALLED SACRIFICE&#8230;” says Majimbo, donning her iconic sunglasses. “If I get up on time then what is the snooze button for,” she asks, proceeding to crunch on a crisp, perfectly-rounded potato chip.



When you think of that Kenyan accent, the 90s-themed sunglasses, the potato chip, and the hallmark giggle, Majimbo immediately has you thinking “iconic”.



Just ask any one of her loyal followers on Instagram.



The Nairobi-born Majimbo, who spent her days playing chess and attending college, was not aiming to be an internet sensation with her laughter-inducing, pared-down vid- eos when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.



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“I made these videos to make myself laugh and then one day my friend told me that I had gone viral,” she tells FORBES AFRICA.



The videos became a sensation and Majimbo a social media star. Two years on, Majimbo sits with over 2.5 million followers on Instagram.



At this year’s Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa, she said: “Growing up, I always knew I would be iconic. I didn’t know how I would do it, but I knew it would be done.”



Once Majimbo’s videos broke the internet, she immediately informed the journalism institution she was attending and dropped out; she did not even tell her parents.



“I think it was a relief for me because I always say this, I never like[d] school,” Majimbo says.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-large is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">“ONE THING PEOPLE ALWAYS GET WRONG ABOUT ME THOUGH IS THAT I AM ALWAYS HAPPY. I HAVE BAD DAYS TOO GUYS.”</blockquote>



On set at the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 photo- shoot in Gaborone in April, Majimbo’s energy was infectious.



“One thing people always get wrong about me though is that I am always happy. I have bad days too guys,” she laughs.



At just 20 years old, Majimbo has already graced the covers of Teen Vogue, Verified, Harper’s Bazaar, and GQ South Africa. She has been featured in Maison Valentino campaigns and has won ‘entertainer of the year’ awards for both GQ South Africa and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.



Currently, the young starlet is on her way “to make that Hollywood money” in her new home in Los Ange- les where Majimbo’s short documentary, Elsa, will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June.



“You’re going to see me on the big screen,” she promised at the summit.



When it comes to her millions of followers, she always ensures that she is authentic and inspires them to go after their dreams.



“Enjoy your life&#8230; it’s never that deep. People will try and discourage you and you can do whatever you want,” Majimbo says. “Chase that bag until it starts chasing you.&#8221; 



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Additional Research &amp; Reporting: Lillian Roberts Photography: Ilan Godfrey for Forbes Videography and production: Timothy Pierson for Forbes &amp; Chad McClymonds for Forbes Video Editor: Chanel Retief Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave; Assistant: Tumelo Nkwe Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty; Thapelo Letsebe Location: Image Lounge, Botswana and 2022 Forbes Under 30 Summit



<a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-june-july-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your digital copy here</a>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1024x341.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-55433" width="654" height="217" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-300x100.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-768x256.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1536x512.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-2048x683.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px" /></figure></div>

#FORBESAFRICA30Under30: Meet Cover Star ELSA MAJIMBO- ‘Chase That Bag, Until it Starts Chasing You’

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The FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 Class of 2022 care about being visionaries of change and catalysts for innovation. Being on the most-anticipated list on the continent, for these young trailblazers, is not just about commerce and clout but about ensuring they represent well their countries and the diverse, heterogeneous Africa they want to serve. Celebrating its eighth edition, the list this year features the best and the brightest, but importantly, the most resilient, who have taken the time to not only shine a light on the issues plaguing Africa&#8217;s growth in a pandemic era but also work towards shifting the narrative, one tiny, tenacious step at a time. 



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Additional Research &amp; Reporting: Lillian Roberts Photography: Ilan Godfrey for Forbes Videography and production: Timothy Pierson for Forbes &amp; Chad McClymonds for Forbes Video Editor: Chanel Retief Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave; Assistant: Tumelo Nkwe Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty; Thapelo Letsebe Location: Image Lounge, Botswana and 2022 Forbes Under 30 Summit

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[WATCH] FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 CLASS OF 2022

Miss out on this years #LWS2022? Catch all the In The Spotlight segments, Panel discussions and One-on-One talks now available. 



For seven years, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA’s Leading Women Summit has created powerful connections and communities. The theme for 2022 is Resetting Everything: The New Face of Leadership. Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA gives her welcoming address to this 2-day Virtual Summit, crossing multiple time zones as one collective audience.



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<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading">A New Lens on Innovation for African Women Leaders</h2>



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Women control $126TN of global wealth, and yet, financial services aren’t meeting their needs. The Covid-19 Pandemic has also had a far-reaching impact on African women over the past two years. Mastercard spearheads the Women By Design program to create possibilities in a world that works better for women. CNBC Africa anchor Fiona Muthoni speaks to Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing &amp; Communications, EEMEA: Mastercard



<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-relationships-in-a-pandemic-world">The Future of Relationships in a Pandemic World</h2>



CNBC Africa Anchor Tania Habimana, moderates this discussion with Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, AU&#8217;s Special Envoy on Youth; Neema Iyer, Founder &amp; Executive Director, Pollicy: Uganda and Joy Des Fountain, Founder, myFanPark.SHOW LESS



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The fully-virtual summit is available <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW6nIAms_84wrHda6QMIA38G2tYhbCJ_Y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>

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Celebrating Seven Years of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit￼

So what would a historic pandemic year throw up? Ground-breaking entrepreneurs and thinkers. Our 2021 class of Under 30s are just that: influential creatives, imaginative business owners, innovative techies and gifted sports stars. Celebrating seven years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list, Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA, speaks to the cover stars headlining the list and representing their cohorts from across the African continent. 



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And they are Mihlali Ndamase, a creative and digital influencer from South Africa, Reinhard Mahalie, the founder of RM Fashion Styling in Namibia, Cleo Johnson, the founder of Nuecleo in South Africa, Shakemore Timburwa, the founder of Energy Plus in Zimbabwe, and Antonio Depina, the founder of Overseas Basketball Connection based in Cape Verde.



<a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/cover-story/2021/06/11/class-of-2021-change-makers-in-a-historic-year/">Read more about the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 Class of 2021 </a>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5029-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51313" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5029-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5029-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5029-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5029-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5029-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5029-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption>Photo by Motlabana Monnakgotla</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-look-out-for">What To Look Out For</h2>



Our FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 curators, Karen Mwendera, Chanel Retief and Simone Umraw will have be in conversation with some of the changemakers who made the Class of 2021 on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forbesafrica/">Instagram</a>. Stay tuned for more!

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Panel: In Conversation With The 2021 FORBES AFRICA Under 30 Cover Stars

Members of this year’s list of under 30s have one thing in common: A NEW COVID-INDUCED AGENDA FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. So what would a historic pandemic year throw up? ground-breaking entrepreneurs and thinkers. Our 2021 class of under 30s are just that: INFLUENTIAL CREATIVES, IMAGINATIVE BUSINESS OWNERS, INNOVATIVE TECHIES, AND GIFTED SPORTS STARS. Celebrating seven years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 LIST, these achievers prove that now more than ever,&nbsp; they are crucial to the AFRICAN GROWTH STORY.



<h4 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-the-under-30-team">THE UNDER 30 TEAM </h4>



Words: Karen Mwendera, Chanel Retief, Simone Umraw Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Photographer: Motlabana Monnakgotla Retouching: Newkatz Studio Styling: Keabetswe Mafora; Outfits supplied by: Spero Villioti, Viviers Studio, Sisi the Collection, GertJohan Coetzee, Port of LNG, Amen Concepts, Europa Art Studio: Light Station Studio, Johannesburg | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



<h4 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-methodology">METHODOLOGY</h4>



The Covid-19 pandemic posed a unique challenge this year when collating criteria for the nomination process. A new set of factors had to be taken into account for the challenges this year’s hopefuls were faced with. Yet, despite the adversities and setbacks, about 1,000+ applicants and nominees poured into our online portal, and we also dredged them from our 30 Under 30 alum and our own research. This was then narrowed down to the 30 finalists across the business, technology, sports and creative sectors.



The criteria employed this year was the most rigorous it has ever been. Nominees needed to provide valid evidence of their endeavors. Background checks were done to ascertain their calibre, conduct and personal track-record. With audit partner SNG Grant Thornton, we were able to assess their company financials from losses to growth margins to overall revenue and profits since incorporation.



Our criteria for the 30 Under 30 list is that only those under the age of 30 ( just before the publication of this issue) may apply. All decision-making and interviews were conducted digitally this year, as the pandemic did not enable meetings in person. In doing so, we had new appreciation for the technology that powered our research. The finalists were vetted by the editorial team and a panel of high-profile judges and subjectmatter experts (see following page). This list is only but a small indication of the inspiring young talent on the continent who will no doubt grace the pages of FORBES AFRICA in the months and years to come



CHANGE-MAKERS VERSUS Covid! That’s what we were looking for when curating FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 list-makers this year. After all, 2021 marks an entire year that has disrupted the world. Businesses pivoted and so did our lives as we navigated the pandemic, and realized that the old ways of doing things no longer work.



But surely, there are answers, especially on the world’s youngest continent. A report, Global Employment Trends for Youth 2020: Africa, by the International Labour Organization, says that “Africa’s youth unemployment rate is the lowest in the world and compared to other regions”.



So, we celebrate young talent that comes to the fore in finding sustainable ways to overcome the crisis but also helping those who have been the hardest hit. From philanthropic beauty influencers to tech geeks revolutionizing renewable energy and even a chess master championing entrepreneurship, the list features a motley cast of individuals wanting to change the world when it needs it the most.



This year’s list-makers – the youngest being 19 – will go down in history as the Under 30s who survived and thrived during one of the most turbulent chapters on earth. The following pages are a record of the enduring tenacity and fighting spirit of Africa’s young leaders charting a nonlinear trajectory to success. (The list is in no particular order)



EXTERNAL JUDGES: THE CATEGORY EXPERTS WHOSE ROLE WAS TO SURVEY ALL THE FINALISTS OF THE 2021 30 UNDER 30 LIST, RANK THEM AND PROVIDE COMMENTARY ON EACH CANDIDATE.



BUSINESS: Nigerian businesswoman Uche Pedro, the founder, and CEO of BellaNaija, a media-tech brand known for its entertainment and lifestyle content. She has been in the business game for over 15 years, collecting numerous local and international accolades along the way including making the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 50 Most Powerful Women list in 2020.



TECHNOLOGY: Olugbenga Agboola, the cofounder and CEO of Flutterwave, an African fintech firm building digital payments infrastructure. He has contributed to the development of fintech solutions at several tech companies and financial institutions such as PayPal, Standard Bank, among others. Flutterwave recently raised $170 million, giving it ‘unicorn’ status with a value of over $1 billion.



CREATIVES: Dr John Kani, a South African actor, author, director, and playwright known for his roles in Marvel movies Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther as well as The Lion King. In addition, Kani is also the Founder of the Market Theatre LaboratoryAcademy, chair of the Apartheid Museum South Africa, patron and Ambassador of the Market Theatre, and Trustee for the WWFNedbank Green Trust.



SPORTS: Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, a Zimbabwean-born professional rugby player who plays for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby and previously for the South African national team and the Sharks in Super Rugby. With 117 caps, he is the most capped prop in South African history and the third most-capped Springbok of all time. He is also a 2019 Rugby World Cup winner. He owns a security company in South Africa and The Beast Foundation.



AUDIT PARTNER: FORBES AFRICA partnered again with SNG Grant Thornton to vet the business and financial statements of the candidates. This involved understanding the landscape, the profitability, growth and most of all, the scalability of each business. 



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For the full list download the digital copy <a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-30-under-30-june-july-2021/">here</a>

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Forbes Africa #30Under30 List: MEET THE COVER STARS

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Simone Biles On How She’s Grown Throughout Her Career | Forbes

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27 years of South African democracy and 27 years of Wiphold, which broke barriers and brought black South African women into the mainstream. FORBES AFRICA spoke to its co-founder and corporate leader Louisa Mojela, also about her new doctorate degree and what’s limiting female entrepreneurs.



Just as South Africa is set to observe Freedom Day on April 27, we look at Wiphold or the Women Investment Portfolio Holdings, one of the country’s best-known first generation empowerment companies owned and led by women.



Founded just weeks before a free South Africa was emerging from the dark shadows of the apartheid in 1994, it gave financial power to grassroots black South African women, driving broad-based economic empowerment, and among other milestones, it also became the first women-only empowerment company to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1999.



One of South Africa&#8217;s most accomplished leaders in business, Louisa Mojela, the Group CEO and co-founder of Wiphold, was recently awarded a doctorate degree by the faculty of economic and management sciences at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town for her leadership in establishing platforms to empower women in Africa.



In this interview with FORBES AFRICA, she shares some “transformative and impactful” anecdotes on the beginnings of Wiphold, which she started as part of the ‘Wip Four’ including Gloria Serobe, Wendy Luhabe and Nomhle Canca – and how it has stayed the course.



One of the main focus areas for the company currently is agriculture.



“We have incorporated that sector into our strategy and encourage our women shareholders that we support them in attaining the dream of food security,” says Mojela, who also graced the cover of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA in 2014.



Mojela also founded Bophelo BioScience &amp; Wellness in 2018 in Lesotho (focusing on medicinal cannabis), and is now creating new social and transformational development opportunities in the growing cannabis sector.



In this interview, she also speaks about the future of women’s entrepreneurship on the African continent. “To the women, I say, turn obstacles into opportunities. Success is never easy, it’s a long road.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
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</div><figcaption>Edited by Chanel Retief</figcaption></figure>

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Lessons From Wiphold’s Louisa Mojela On Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

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