A Young Woman Looking to Uplift Non-Profit Organisations Through Branding.
Her passion for giving back to the community led her to help organisations reach their full potential. Khensani Charmaine Siwedi is the founder of Conté Africa, a company dedicated to helping non-governmental organisations (NGOs), non-profit organisations (NPOs), foundations, philanthropic organisations and businesses with brand strategy and development.
She is a dynamic and innovative professional with over 9 years of invaluable hands-on experience in handling multiple simultaneous creative design projects, brand building, graphic and web design.
Khensani is not only a young businesswoman, she also has a heart for disadvantaged communities, especially women and children. She says she learned a lot working with a number of Southern African Development Community (SADC) organisations that highlighted the day-to-day issues facing communities, starting with the lack of resources for young black families.
More common problems include increasing rates of gender-based violence (GBV), which prevents young girls and women from reaching their full potential. In other cases, it is about not being able to receive health care/mental health care.” Khensani says.
Seeing the daily struggles of other women, she partnered with some of the major foundations listed in the section on corporate social investment. Some of these organisations aim to support girls and women in disadvantaged communities. Khensani used her company, Conté Africa, to bring more attention to the missions of these foundations.
We hosted a gala dinner with the Enhle Cares Foundation (ECF), Africa Rising Foundation, House of Mandela Foundation. Conté Africa donated its time, resources and services to the event. The planning, hosting and design of the event were provided free of charge and the funds raised at the event benefited the beneficiaries.” she says.
For the ECF, Khensani coordinated graphics and assisted with administration and management as co-director and creative director. Her other major project was working with the Durant Sihlali Foundation (DSF) as co-director and executive director, where she managed day-to-day operations and developed marketing and funding opportunities for the organisation. DSF is a non-profit organisation that promotes artistic experimentation and dialogue between different art disciplines through residencies, workshops and mentoring for young artists.
Khensani’s biggest goal is to empower other young women. She said she has learnt a lot during her work, especially in relation to the concept of capacity building. “I love the comprehensive concept of mentoring and guiding others to realise their initiatives and teach others,” she said.
Malehlohonolo Kasa
A Media and Communication Specialist. Malehlohonolo Kasa Is a seasoned media and communication professional with vast experience in journalism, strategic communication, social media management and content writing & creating. Her passion is to help organisations to improve and deliver unique experiences through copywriting and communication.
