OUR 2026 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.
Afri.can
Bonnievale, South Africa
AFRI.CAN Microfactories designs and manufactures containerised agro-processing microfactories for deployment across Africa. Founded by Philip Jonker in 2014, the company develops durable, rapidly deployable processing units that enable rural communities, co-operatives and entrepreneurs to add value to locally produced agricultural goods. Its vision is to support grassroots industrialisation across the continent, particularly in regions where infrastructure such as reliable electricity and running water may be limited. In addition, AFRI.CAN applies its rapid-build, infrastructure and project management expertise to developing mainstream and vocational schools in lower-income communities, delivering high-quality educational facilities efficiently and at scale.
Murray Burger
General Manager
Murray Burger is passionate about pushing boundaries and challenging mediocrity in pursuit of meaningful impact. As a Christian, he believes the workplace is a space where God’s redemptive kingdom can be expressed through purpose-driven work. Murray is particularly committed to three areas: manufacturing sustainable solutions for Africa, strengthening education to empower informed decision-making, and developing leadership that helps people reach places they could not reach on their own. Murray is driven by a vision to see African communities flourish through innovation, opportunity and principled leadership.
Beautiful Gate
Cape Town, South Africa
Beautiful Gate believes in building a community founded on justice and mercy that supports strong families in raising thriving children. This vision underpins all of its work. The organisation is committed to working alongside families to restore safety, dignity and hope, ensuring that children grow up in environments where they are protected and given opportunities to flourish. Children are at the heart of Beautiful Gate’s work because the future depends on the well-being of children and the restoration of their families. However, many children, especially those who are orphaned or vulnerable, face significant challenges that require collective and intentional effort to secure their safety, well-being and ability to thrive. Beautiful Gate concentrates its efforts on four key areas: child health, family strengthening, education and community collaboration, recognising that these have a significant impact on children, their families and the future of the community.
Minah Koela
CEO
Minah Koela is the Chief Executive Officer of Beautiful Gate, a non-governmental organisation based in Lower Crossroads. She believes that an encounter with Christ has the power to transform individuals, families, and communities spiritually, socially, and culturally. Born in Gugulethu, Minah experienced the struggle for justice during the apartheid era whilst attending school in Old Crossroads. Prior to joining Beautiful Gate, she owned Makoela Translation and worked with several universities both locally and internationally. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town in 2016, specialising in Leadership Innovation, and in 2025 obtained a certificate in Systems Change and Social Impact at the same institution. She is married to Pastor Brian Koela, and they have four sons.
BIG Finance
Hartbeespoort, South Africa
BIG Finance is a company specialising in purchase order and invoice funding. Its mission is to provide SMEs with accessible funding solutions through advanced financial technology and an innovative approach to risk assessment. The company is committed to promoting economic inclusion and supporting the growth of emerging entrepreneurs in the global South.
Tefo Mokhine
Founder & Managing Director
Tefo is an engineer by training, an entrepreneur by passion, and a leader in every aspect of his life. He earned a degree in Mining Engineering from Wits University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Wits Business School. Tefo believes his purpose is to help uplift and advance the African people, a mission he pursues through his evangelical ministry and diverse business ventures. As a One Young World and Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, he actively promotes the adoption and progress of the Sustainable Development Goals. Tefo is married to Hulisa, and together they are blessed with twin girls. He is also an enthusiastic amateur golfer.
Buttercup Farmhouse
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Buttercup Farmhouse is a South African food innovation company producing a unique vegetable-based coffee made primarily from butternut and other plant-based ingredients. Founded by Chantelle de Bruyn-Motshabi, the venture was inspired by a family health challenge related to caffeine consumption. The company has developed a natural coffee alternative that delivers the comfort and energy of coffee without the adverse effects of traditional caffeine. Buttercup Farmhouse focuses on sustainable agro-processing, working with local farmers whilst creating a new category in the health beverage market. The business is expanding its retail presence and building scalable production to supply both domestic and international markets.
Chantelle de Bruyn
Founder and CEO
Chantelle de Bruyn-Motshabi is the Founder and CEO of Buttercup Farmhouse, an innovative agro-processing company producing plant-based vegetable coffee made primarily from butternut. Inspired by a family health challenge related to caffeine consumption, she developed a natural coffee alternative that delivers energy without the adverse effects of traditional caffeine. Chantelle is a passionate food innovator and entrepreneur dedicated to building sustainable agricultural value chains, empowering local farmers, and scaling African food innovation into global retail markets.
Engagement Intelligence
Paarl, South Africa
Engagement Intelligence (Ei) is a specialist strategic design and technology enablement practice that applies intelligence-first thinking to the complex challenges and opportunities businesses face in a rapidly changing world. In essence, we help our clients imagine more — and then help them build a better future by elevating people through the power of technology. We enable leaders with original, independent insight and bring ideas to life by building dynamic technology ecosystems through our carefully curated network of specialists and partners. At our core, we believe in the power of meaningful connections — to unlock potential, create lasting value and redeem work for a brighter future.
Shaun Ray
Founder & CEO
Shaun Ray is the founder and CEO of Engagement Intelligence, a strategic advisory firm helping organisations transform engagement into a measurable, value-generating capability. With over 20 years’ experience, Shaun leads a specialist team supporting top brands in building modern engagement strategies. Before founding Ei, Shaun held senior leadership roles at Capitec Bank, where he led multidisciplinary teams responsible for building cloud-based data and engagement ecosystems. Today, he helps executive leadership teams strengthen engagement capabilities, accelerate time-to-value and develop the internal competence needed to compete in an increasingly intelligence-driven economy. Beyond his professional work, Shaun’s life is rooted in his Christian faith and commitment to his family as a husband and father. He has served in church leadership for over twenty years and enjoys playing music, exploring the outdoors and competing in endurance sports.
Fleetly
Johannesburg, South Africa
Fleetly is a South African mobility platform dedicated to bringing dignity, structure, and financial inclusion to the e-hailing economy. By employing and managing professional Uber drivers, Fleetly transforms fragmented gig work into stable, disciplined careers, supported by robust training, performance systems, and operational oversight. At the same time, the platform enables everyday vehicle owners to earn reliable passive income through fully managed vehicle operations. By aligning the interests of drivers and vehicle owners within a single, integrated model, Fleetly elevates professionalism, safety, and economic sustainability throughout the e-hailing sector. This focused strategy enables Fleetly to create a scalable system that benefits drivers, owners, and the wider mobility ecosystem.
Luyanda Jafta
CEO
Luyanda Jafta is a South African entrepreneur, visionary, and father devoted to building businesses that drive community transformation. He co-founded and led The People’s Fund (TPF), an innovative crowdfunding platform that empowered everyday South Africans to invest in small businesses, scaling it into a R150-million-a-year enterprise. Earlier, he established Paybook, a digital marketing company that grew a 25,000-subscriber base and achieved a social reach of 14 million through influencer campaigns. Currently, Luyanda leads Fleetly, a faith-centred e-hailing and driver development company dedicated to creating dignified employment, advancing safety innovation, and equipping drivers with training and financial skills, all while pursuing economic impact grounded in biblical stewardship.
Inter Flare
Cape Town, South Africa
Inter Flare is a software development and AI consultancy based in Cape Town, South Africa, that aims to help businesses thrive through technology. Faith, People, Innovation, and Integrity lie at the heart of everything the company does. Whether through its own products or by partnering with businesses to tackle complex challenges with bespoke software, Inter Flare develops solutions that make a genuine difference for business owners and those they serve.
Jakobus Kits
Co-Founder & CEO
Jakobus Kits is the co-founder and CEO of Inter Flare. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and has spent the past six years helping businesses solve complex problems through software, growing into AI-powered platforms. This journey gave rise to Edu Flare AI, a smart Grading & Exam Preparation platform built for students and educators. Jakobus is happily married, leads a young adults cell group, serves on his local church’s men’s leadership team, and is also the church barista, known for making a mean cup of joe on Sundays.
Gerhard de Jager
Co-Founder & Team Lead
Gerhard de Jager is the co-founder of Inter Flare, a software development and AI company focused on delivering innovative digital solutions. An entrepreneur at heart, he is passionate about creating meaningful impact and driving significance through technology. Gerhard developed an interest in computers at the age of 13, programming in early languages long before the internet era, and has since grown alongside the evolution of big data and artificial intelligence. He studied at North-West University, where he completed a Master’s degree in Computer Science. Married for 17 years and a proud father of five daughters, he enjoys travelling, exploration, birdwatching, and exercise.
Lumos Coffee Café
Johannesburg, South Africa
Lumos Coffee Café, founded in Alexandra, Johannesburg, is a township café renowned for its vibrant menu of speciality drinks, frappés, smoothies, and distinctive offerings such as waffle burgers. Established to provide a positive alternative to alcohol-centred social spaces, the café offers young people and families a welcoming environment to connect and enjoy quality food. Beginning as a modest stand outside a salon, Lumos has evolved into a purpose-driven brand dedicated to community impact and creative expression. With its unique menu and inviting atmosphere, Lumos aims to redefine township café culture and become South Africa’s leading township café brand by 2030.
Lebone Applegreen
Founder
Lebone Applegreen, a 22-year-old entrepreneur, was born and raised in Alexandra township. Immersed in an entrepreneurial environment—her mother running a beauty salon and her grandfather taking her along to his carpentry jobs—she developed an early appreciation for hard work and creativity. In a community often associated with darkness and limitation, Lebone embraces the meaning of her name, “light”, and strives to embody it. She brings this spirit to life through Lumos Coffee Café, a business built from humble beginnings. Through content creation and storytelling, she shares her journey to inspire hope, possibility, and brighter futures for her community and beyond.
N’sync Dimensions
Seedi Industrial Solutions
Polokwane, South Africa
Seedi Industrial Solutions is a specialist provider of industrial laundry, catering, and site equipment, dedicated to delivering bespoke, high-quality solutions across South Africa. As an official agent for renowned international manufacturers such as Krebe, Lapauw, and Ghidini, Seedi ensures excellence from procurement and installation through to ongoing maintenance and training. Co-owned by experienced entrepreneurs John and Palesa Mogodi, the company is built on a foundation of professionalism, innovation, and client-focused service. Seedi has been established for 10 years, wholly committed to reliability and efficiency, ensuring clients receive the correct equipment and support to achieve their operational aims with lasting impact.
John Mogodi
Projects Director
John Mogodi is a faith-driven entrepreneur and project manager, having co-founded Seedi Industrial Solutions to build businesses that restore and uplift. Selected for Triga Ventures, his journey is grounded in a professional career as a Registered Accountant (SAICA, SAIPA) and Project manager, with extensive experience in audit, finance, and governance, serving as Chairman for boards such as Sun International Meropa and Cricket South Africa. Married since 2010 and father to three sons, John serves as a youth pastor at Life Church, Polokwane. Through Triga, he seeks mentorship to deepen the redemptive impact of his work, applying entrepreneurial discipline to address community challenges and create lasting value in Africa.
Palesa Mogodi
Finance Director
Professionally, Palesa is a Chartered Development Finance Analyst who enjoys anything related to the development of African economies and businesses. She has over a decade’s experience in the accounting and finance sector. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, business growth, and strategy, with a particular interest in business finance structuring. Beyond her professional pursuits, Palesa is a devoted Christian, mother, and wife who cares deeply about teenagers and their well-being. If there is one thing that truly inspires her, it is businesses led by teenagers.
Silulo Foundation
Cape Town, South Africa
The Silulo Foundation serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth in underserved township communities. Driven by a commitment to empowering township entrepreneurs to become key economic contributors, job creators, and innovators of scalable business models, the Foundation aims to replicate successful ventures nationwide and across Africa.
Through its flagship Entrepreneurship Programme and targeted Youth Digital Skills Workshops, the Foundation equips individuals with essential skills, robust mentorship, and valuable networking opportunities to transform communities sustainably.
Mona-Lisa Maposa
COO
Mona-Lisa Maposa is an enterprise development specialist with a background in credit and a track record of supporting small businesses. As COO at Silulo Foundation, she creates programs that provide local entrepreneurs with skills, networks, and opportunities to scale. Previously, at Absa Enterprise Development, she helped SMEs access funding, markets, and support to unlock growth. She is committed to building an entrepreneurial ecosystem where small businesses flourish.
Aqhama Tinise
Program Coordinator
Aqhama Tinise is dedicated to supporting emerging entrepreneurs and strengthening community business ecosystems. With experience across several entrepreneurship initiatives, she has worked with small businesses to develop practical solutions for growth. As Program Coordinator at the Silulo Foundation, she helps deliver entrepreneurship programs that equip entrepreneurs with essential skills and support.
Surveya
Johannesburg, South Africa
Surveya is a purpose-driven South African data and technology company specializing in people-centred digital platforms for socio-economic research, ESG reporting, and impact measurement. Established to overcome the challenges of traditional data collection in complex and remote environments, Surveya creates secure systems that function seamlessly both online and offline, ensuring high-integrity data capture and real-time reporting. The company partners with clients across Africa and internationally, including development agencies, financial institutions, corporations, and governments. Surveya increasingly leverages responsible AI and advanced analytics to enhance insight, decision-making, and accountability within social and investment contexts.
Tandi Kolbe
Founder & CEO
Tandi Kolbe is the Founder and CEO of Surveya. She holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand and brings over 15 years of experience working across Africa on development, infrastructure, and investment-driven projects. Recently, she has led the creation and implementation of bespoke data systems for clients such as the World Bank Group, the Presidency of South Africa, and major corporations. Tandi is committed to leveraging technology to drive inclusive growth, accountability, and lasting social impact.