OUR 2025 FELLOWS
We are so inspired by our fellows – they are go-getters, world-changers and big-picture-thinkers who are passionate about their ventures having a cultural, societal and economic impact in Africa.
Aflu Med Healthcare
Pretoria, South Africa
Aflu Med Healthcare is a provider of centralised healthcare information systems, the company offers innovative solutions that enhance healthcare accessibility, efficiency, and quality. Established to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients, it delivers cutting-edge Electronic Health Records (EHR) and practice management systems, telehealth services, and medical billing solutions. Aflu Med Healthcare empowers healthcare professionals with seamless digital tools that streamline bookings, clinical documentation, prescriptions, sick notes, and letters, reducing administrative workload and saving costs. Patients benefit from a FREE One Patient One Health Record, ensuring their medical information is always accessible at the point of care, improving treatment accuracy and continuity. Aflu Med Healthcare’s solutions reduce the therapy turnaround time, enable remote consultations, and enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in hard-to-reach communities, among women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
Lubabalo Mnyaka
Founder & MD
Bokamoso Education Trust
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Bokamoso Education Trust believes every child deserves the chance to shine through the gift of education. Through the collective donations of individuals and corporations, Bokamoso Education Trust is able to activate the financial muscle required to equip its beneficiary children for a hopeful future. Their mission goes beyond provision: it is about igniting dreams and illuminating the potential within every child through quality education and mentorship.
Cathrine du Toit
CEO
Megan Downie
Operations Manager
BoldPearl
Johannesburg, South Africa
BoldPearl was established in 2013 as a furniture-hiring company. Today, it specialises in manufacturing, repairing, and furniture-hiring of carpentry and upholstery. BoldPearl operates in three locations: Midrand (specialising in hospitality and furniture hire), Centurion (focusing on manufacturing), and Giyani (focusing on manufacturing). BoldPearl has 13 employees (9 part-time) and has trained 23 protégés, who are now competitors, partners, and suppliers. BoldPearl has been recognised by companies like Bambelela Business Awards, Raizcorp, Leda, SAB Foundation, and Township Economy Awards. The goal is to supply big furniture franchises and become the most prominent furniture manufacturer in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Rhulani Hlungwani
Founder & CEO
Lindiwe Nkosi
Department Manager
Chem-Dry Excel
Paarl, South Africa
Chem-Dry specialises in carpet, upholstery and drapery cleaning using the innovative Hot Carbonated Extraction cleaning method. Globally, Chem-Dry has a footprint in more than 30 countries. Operating in Paarl, Wellington and Franschhoek, Chem-Dry Excel is one of 50 franchises in Southern Africa. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.
Under new ownership, the 22-year-old Excel franchise has experienced tremendous growth over the past 18 months, building on a solid foundation of loyal customers and word-of-mouth referrals. New thinking, a fresh approach to client relationships, schedule optimisation, and employee empowerment are the major drivers towards growth. The commitment to delivering outstanding results and personalised service has positioned it as a leader in the local cleaning industry.
Nicol Truscott
Managing Director
Vilje Truscott
Director
Common Good
Cape Town, South Africa
Common Good is an independent non-profit and public benefit organisation committed to supporting grassroots transformation in South Africa. Established in 2005, the organisation focuses on Early Life (First Thousand Days), Education, and Employment—key life stages that significantly impact an individual’s trajectory in life. They also equip churches to disciple and activate their people to live justly. Through partnerships with local organisations, leaders, and faith communities, Common Good equips change-makers with research-based, replicable and innovative interventions, tools, resources, and support to create lasting impact. The vision is a nationwide groundswell of mercy and justice, transforming lives at scale.
Polly Murphy
CEO
- Comotion LowCode
Durbanville, South Africa
Comotion LowCode is part of the Comotion group of companies. As South Africa’s largest Mendix partner, Comotion LowCode is a software development services company that builds scalable, tailored software solutions for clients on the Mendix platform, .Net and more. Comotion services companies in South Africa, Europe and North America with offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Rotterdam.
Derek Gardiner
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
Werner Grobler
Senior Manager & Head of Software Development
Gifted Workmanship
Johannesburg, South Africa
Gifted Workmanship (GW) was founded in 2015 and is a company that serves the Lord through property development (through project management and construction) and investment. They pride themselves in the hard work and wisdom the Lord gives and see GW as a tool to touch people’s lives in the country and the continent of Africa. GW always seeks to do God’s will as we reflect on His character and has grown to see God’s faithfulness as it continues to grow and serve God and his people.
Major Maseko
Co-Founder
Katlego Makopo
Co-Founder
Ground One Coffee
Johannesburg, South Africa
Ground One Coffee is a full-service coffee solutions company specialising in the roasting, packaging, and distribution of premium coffee and related beverages. With over eight years of industry experience, Ground One Coffee has established itself as a trusted partner in the coffee supply chain, serving corporate clients, cafés, hotels, and retailers with high-quality coffee products and comprehensive solutions.
Moeletsi Mailula
Founder & Operations Director
Let’s be friends
Durbanville, South Africa
Let’s Be Friends is a brand-building digital design and motion studio. They combine the use of brand strategy and crafted visuals to give brands and products standout in the digital landscape. With a strong focus on staying human in an ever-changing age of AI, they offer more than just pixels, cultivating healthy relationships as a team and with their clients. They specialise in creating brand identity systems, telling visual stories with bespoke motion design and making slick digital experiences that are fun to use. Their past and current clients include global giants like Nike, Asics, Puma, and Reebok, as well as South Africa’s leading grocery delivery service, Checkers Sixty60.
Philip Erasmus
Founder & CEO
Melsoft Academy
Johannesburg, South Africa
Melsoft Academy is an online tech education and training platform equipping individuals with job-ready skills in AI, software development, and cybersecurity. Through strategic partnerships with accredited training providers, Melsoft Academy offers programs aligned with South Africa’s QCTO standards and several internationally recognized certifications. The academy bridges the gap between education and employment through hands-on learning, mentorship, and guaranteed internships. With a 95% graduate placement rate, Melsoft Academy has trained hundreds of students and partnered with leading organizations for corporate training.
Larreth Jimu
Co-Founder & CEO
Newberry House MONTESSORI SCHOOL GROUP
Somerset West, South Africa
Newberry is a growing school group with an innovative “3E” model, providing high-quality, authentic Montessori education in a healthy environment through real-life experiences. Its mission is to showcase what is possible in education, with Cambridge International results that consistently exceed global benchmarks, in a culture that values authenticity, respect, and lifelong learning. Beyond academics and sport, Newberry fosters critical thinking and entrepreneurship, with student-led ventures from supplying organic produce to Lourensford restaurants, to building mountain bike trails (used by the Cape Epic) and fundraising for a local crèche. Founded in 2010 on Lourensford Estate, Newberry is opening its second campus at Spier in 2026. Building on recognition from government, business, and nonprofits, the group is scaling its model to help transform South Africa’s education landscape.
Alistair Green
CEO & Executive Head
Alistair has led Newberry House since 2017, driving its growth from concept through its current expansion while shaping its culture, strategy, and values. Previously, he spent 12 years in the UK, helping lead a dramatic school turnaround, advising schools on improvement strategies, and co-founding a preschool. He holds a BSc from Stellenbosch University, an MA in Education focused on Organisational Leadership, and completed the WITS Business School Leadership Development Programme. Alistair values authentic leadership and thrives on building connections across industries to drive meaningful change. He recharges by trail running in the mountains and adventuring with his wife, Marieke, and their four sons.
Reherd Africa
George, South Africa
REHerd Africa, previously Herding 4 Hope, was launched in March 2023 as a for-profit company positioned to partner with entities to develop and implement regenerative livestock management strategies and associated enterprises in communal farming landscapes. The REHerd Model upskill and professionalize herders in partnership with local implementation partners and the farmers they serve to facilitate the systematic development of a farming system that overcomes challenges and unlocks new opportunities. REHerd Africa brings scalable technology and innovation and integrates it with traditional herding and kraaling practices to unlock investment in trade and agri-enterprises. Risk is addressed holistically, and the farming system becomes investable as opposed to being fit for aid only. REHerd Africa strives to redeem pastoral communities from merely surviving to become thriving communities. REHerd Africa supports pastoral communities in more than eleven landscapes in seven southern African countries. It has an extensive network of government, non-government, funding, conservation, training, and agri-industry partners.
Jacques van Rooyen
founder & Director
Wonga Technologies
Cape Town, South Africa
Wonga Technologies is an Internet Solutions Company incorporating Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and networks. Its ISP provides fibre, LTE (Telkom, MTN and Vodacom), and VoIP solutions to residential and commercial clients nationwide. Its networks focus on on-site support, Wi-Fi extensions, Wi-Fi management, and access point maintenance and installation.
Wonga Vakala
Founder & CEO
Yazi
Cape Town, South Africa
Yazi is revolutionising customer research through its AI-powered WhatsApp platform, enabling companies to collect deep, authentic insights at an unprecedented scale. Founded by Timothy Treagus and Mzwandile Sotsaka, Yazi leverages WhatsApp’s universal accessibility to achieve response rates 6.7x higher than traditional methods. The platform offers AI-moderated interviews, surveys, and diary studies, with a focus on event-triggered customer feedback for financial services, retail, and telecommunications clients. Already serving major brands like Ipsos, Avon, and Old Mutual, Yazi is transforming how businesses understand their customers, particularly in emerging markets where traditional research methods fall short.