South Africa: Clotilda Makhotso Zengele

Clotilda Makhotso Zengele, an established entrepreneur from Emfuleni and founder of Clotilda Enterprise,  highlighting her journey of personal recovery, confidence‑building, and business growth through the Sunrise Campaign. After experiencing business failure, severe financial stress, and mental health challenges worsened by COVID‑19, Clotilda regained self‑belief and practical skills through life skills and entrepreneurship training, particularly in cash‑flow management, pricing, record‑keeping, leadership, and customer relations. Her business now manufactures and distributes perfumes, body and hair products, home and car fragrances, and air fresheners, alongside small‑scale vegetable production that supports the local community. With a growing customer base, improved branding and packaging, part‑time and full‑time staff, strong financial record‑keeping, savings of over R13,000, and diversified income streams including rental income, Clotilda has improved her household well‑being and community standing. Despite challenges such as competition, time management, and online marketing, she sustains her business through quality assurance, customer loyalty, continuous learning, collaboration with other women, and clear plans to expand infrastructure and production over the next six months.