Chairperson's foreword
Ms. Lebogang Zulu
National Chairperson
BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (South Africa)
It is with profound honor, pride, and a deep sense of responsibility that I serve alongside the extraordinary women and men who comprise the Board of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa. Each member is a visionary in her own right – committed, purpose-driven, and united in passion for economic transformation, not just for South Africa, but across the Global South. Their unwavering resilience and collective wisdom have been instrumental in shaping a legacy rooted in inclusive growth, strategic foresight, and tangible impact.
The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance is founded on core pillars that transcend rhetoric – Trade and Investment Facilitation, Capacity Building, Technology and Innovation Transfer, and Policy Advocacy for Inclusive Economic Participation. These are not theoretical ideals; they are actionable foundations that guide every engagement, project, and partnership we undertake.
Our mission is clear: to unlock market access, catalyze meaningful cooperation across borders, and ensure that women-led enterprises are not peripheral, but central, to the economic architecture of the BRICS+ landscape.
One of our proudest milestones to date is the 2025 BRICS+ Agriculture Investment & Trade Summit, hosted in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Executed under extraordinarily challenging conditions – from constrained resources to tight timelines – the Summit stands as a testament to what becomes possible when leadership is bold, focused, and collective. Thanks to the resolve of our Board and the commitment of our local and international partners, the Summit secured R9.42 billion in confirmed deals, connected over 2,300 delegates, and facilitated 43 B2B matchmaking sessions across 6 sectors. Among the many breakthroughs were investment commitments in agritech, agro-processing, and sustainable food systems, with strong representation from Brazil, Belarus, Russia, India, China, Oman, US Friends of BRICS and strategic partners from the African continent.
We also celebrate the strategic mentorship commitments secured from startup investors during the Summit – reinforcing our belief that beyond capital, what women entrepreneurs and MSMEs need is enduring guidance, knowledge exchange, and proximity to trusted networks of growth enablers.
None of this would have been possible without our valued partners. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Graca Machel Trust, the CASTNET International Chamber, TV BRICS, and most importantly, to our service providers, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Without them, what we witnessed in Durban would have remained just a vision.
As we scale our vision and deepen our footprint across Africa and the BRICS+ community, we are equally proud to be operationally supported by Magwala Industries, officially appointed as the Implementing Agent of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa. We look forward to travelling this journey with Magwala Industries as a key execution partner, enabling us to bring our strategic objectives to life through impactful delivery and high-performance implementation frameworks.
With a string of impact investment activities planned throughout the 2025/2026 period, we stand ready to welcome more partners who share our commitment to turning the tide for women entrepreneurs and MSMEs across the expanded BRICS member states. This is what multipolarity in economic corridors looks like — inclusive, bold, and anchored in shared prosperity.
“We do not wait to be invited to the table — we build it, shape its purpose, and ensure every woman has a seat with power. This is the spirit of BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa — where vision becomes action, and inclusion drives economic prosperity.” – Ms. Lebogang Zulu
Board member
Ms. Eleni Malumbete-Kwinana
Innovative Development
BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (South Africa)
chairperson
BRICS WBA Africa Desk
founder
zara synapse proprietary limited
board chairperson
smartxchange incubator
chief executive
vulatel proprietary limited
Ms. Eleni Malumbete-Kwinana is a multi-award-winning business leader with over 20 years of executive experience spanning the ICT, medical, and global trading sectors. She currently serves as a Board Member for Innovative Development and Chairperson of the Africa Desk at the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa NPC, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping cross-border innovation strategies and driving Africa-focused economic cooperation within the BRICS framework.
Eleni is the Chief Executive of Vulatel, a leading telecommunications and IT infrastructure company, and a seasoned entrepreneur with a distinguished track record in delivering large-scale, high-impact projects across public and private sectors. Her ability to drive strategic growth, foster innovation, and lead high-performance teams has earned her recognition from major industry stakeholders. She holds prominent leadership positions, including Chairperson of SmartXchange, an award-winning technology incubator and, Chairperson of the Women’s Chapter of the Institute of IT Professionals South Africa (IITPSA-WIT, 20022). Her achievements include receiving the InspiringFifty Africa Award (2024) and being named Standard Bank Top Woman in Business KZN (2019).
Ms. Kwinana holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Pretoria and an Advanced Executive Business Management qualification from GIBS.
Her leadership is defined by visionary thinking, stakeholder excellence, and a passion for empowering African women in the innovation and digital economy sectors.
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Raquel Lochenberg
Operations, Trade & Investment
BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (South Africa)
CO-CHAIRPERSON
INCLUSIVE ECONOMY JOINT WORKING GROUP
co-founder & chief executive
ONE AFRICA HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD
Ms. Raquel Lochenberg is a distinguished international trade expert, corporate strategist, and transformational business leader with over 20 years of experience in global commodity markets, cross-border deal structuring, and investment facilitation. As a Board Member of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa NPC, she leads the Operations, Trade, and Investment portfolio, and co-chairs the Inclusive Economy Joint Working Group—spearheading efforts to unlock equitable trade and economic participation for women-led businesses across the BRICS+ landscape.
She is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive of One Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a specialized commodity trading and investment firm focused on high-impact sectors including energy, metals, and agricultural commodities. Under her leadership, One Africa Holdings has become a trusted player in structuring multimillion-dollar trade deals, securing international supply agreements, and facilitating strategic investments across Africa and beyond. The company also plays an advisory role in shaping regional economic linkages and unlocking new markets through its robust global network of manufacturers, suppliers, and institutional partners.
Renowned for her business acumen and negotiation skills, Raquel has executed complex trade agreements, optimized global supply chains, and championed sustainable trade practices that generate long-term value. Her expertise spans trade execution, regulatory compliance, risk management, and economic diplomacy, making her a sought-after voice in continental trade strategy and women’s economic advancement.
Committed to integrity, excellence, and inclusive growth, Ms. Lochenberg continues to drive bold initiatives that empower African women in business, deepen South-South trade partnerships, and foster resilient investment ecosystems across emerging markets.
board executive
Mr. Chris Maphanga
Stakeholder Relations
BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (South Africa)(NPC)
director
dasi creative agency
Mr. Chris Maphanga is a visionary communications strategist and cultural architect with over a decade of experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, and brand elevation across both corporate and development sectors.
As the Board Executive responsible for Stakeholder Relations at BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa (NPC), Mr. Maphanga leads efforts to cultivate strategic partnerships that advance inclusive economic development Mr. Chris Maphanga is a visionary communications strategist and cultural architect with over a decade of experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, and brand elevation across both corporate and development sectors. As the Board Executive responsible for Stakeholder Relations at BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa (NPC), Mr. Maphanga leads efforts to cultivate strategic partnerships that advance inclusive economic development and position women entrepreneurs at the heart of transformative growth across the BRICS and African markets. In his dual capacity as Founder and Director of Dasi Creative Agency, Mr. Maphanga spearheads innovative brand strategies, integrated marketing campaigns, and narrative-led communication solutions that amplify client impact and market visibility. His agency is renowned for translating cultural intelligence into commercially successful campaigns, helping organizations navigate competitive markets with authenticity and influence.
With a keen understanding of the intersections between policy, business, and community, Mr. Maphanga brings a unique blend of diplomacy and creativity to every endeavour. His ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups has made him a sought-after advisor in shaping public-private partnerships, institutional collaborations, and impact-driven storytelling.
Through his leadership at BRICS WBA SA NPC, he continues to champion the Alliance’s role as a catalyst for MSME and women-led trade, investment, and regional integration—strengthening the ecosystem for female entrepreneurship and promoting Africa’s strategic role within the global BRICS+ cooperation framework.
