TEAM
Our team
Our team is passionate and women led
Lorraine Kljajic
CEO & FOUNDER
Lorraine Shaquan Kljajic is a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural leader passionate about empowering women, youth, and communities across Africa. Born in Malawi to a Zimbabwean mother, raised in Tanzania, and now a global citizen married to a Croatian, Lorraine embodies the spirit of diversity, resilience, and cross-cultural collaboration.
As Founder & CEO of the Lush Africa Foundation, Lorraine leads initiatives that focus on women and youth empowerment, skills development, entrepreneurship, and creative industry growth. Through her leadership, the foundation has become a platform for impactful programs ranging from education and mentorship to cultural diplomacy, fashion, arts, and community outreach—including charity initiatives in prisons, orphanages, and underserved communities.
Beyond philanthropy, Lorraine is a dynamic businesswoman. She is the founder of Miss Culture Global, an international pageant that celebrates culture, beauty, and women empowerment; AfrifoodSA, a health-focused food retail brand; LushXurious, a beauty and cosmetics brand; and Lopecon, a business consulting service. Her ventures bridge culture, business, and social impact, reflecting her belief that sustainable development is achieved when creativity, commerce, and community work hand in hand.
Lorraine has been recognized and nominated for various awards, including Pageant Director of the Year and 100 Female Change Maker of Africa, and continues to be featured on global platforms such as the G20 Culture Working Group Meeting. She is also the driving force behind major initiatives like the Afripreneur Connect Summit & Awards (2026) and the Africa Fashion & Arts Festival, which bring together entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders from across the continent and beyond.
Her journey is not just about building brands, but about building people. Lorraine believes in second chances and uses her platforms to inspire, mentor, and uplift the next generation of African leaders—especially women and girls.
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Karabo Mokone
Director Creatives
Karabo Mokone is a South African creative director and fashion connector passionate about shaping spaces where fashion, culture, and entrepreneurship intersect. Rooted in her passion for skills, she is dedicated to nurturing talent and building platforms that allow creativity to thrive. With a strong background in creative development and fashion project management, she has collaborated on local initiatives that support designers while amplifying African fashion on global platforms.
As the Director of Creatives, Youth, and Women Development at the Lush Africa Foundation, Karabo coordinates flagship projects including the Fashion & Arts Festival and the Afripreneur Connect Summit. She also curates the African Designer Network, a growing database of African brands, and champions Start Smart as a concept designed to guide entrepreneurs and creatives in aligning their businesses with purpose and vision.
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Abongile Ntshinga
Director Education
& Skills Development
I am an experienced educator with a strong track record in curriculum design, teacher training, and learner development. Over the years, I have worked across educational institutions to deliver impactful programs that enhance academic outcomes, promote inclusive education, and empower young people to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
My background includes designing and implementing teacher capacity-building initiatives, facilitating life skills and career guidance programs, and leading community-based education projects. Through these roles, I have honed expertise in program management, stakeholder engagement and education innovation—always with the aim of closing learning gaps and creating equitable opportunities for learners.
Building on this foundation, I am excited to be shaping the future of skills development and education in Africa through my work with Lush Africa Foundation. In this role, I aspire to design transformative learning pathways, including vocational training, entrepreneurship bootcamps and digital literacy programs, while forging strong partnerships with schools, universities and private sector stakeholders. My vision is to empower youth and women with the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve self-reliance and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s creative industries and socio-economic growth.
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Miwasy Nyirenda
ADIVISORY
Miwasy Nyirenda is a highly skilled finance and investment professional with a passion for advancing social impact through strategic financial management and donor engagement. With years of experience in corporate finance, philanthropy, and non-profit advisory, she brings invaluable expertise in ensuring accountability, transparency, and sustainability in all financial aspects of the Lush Africa Foundation.
As Board Advisory of Finance & Donations, Miwasy oversees donor relations, resource mobilization, and financial governance. Her role includes guiding the foundation in designing sustainable fundraising models, strengthening donor confidence, and aligning resources to projects that drive women empowerment, youth development, entrepreneurship, and community upliftment across Africa.
Miwasy is deeply committed to creating systems that maximize the impact of every contribution, ensuring that donations are channeled effectively into programs that change lives. Her financial stewardship is critical in advancing the foundation’s mission to build a stronger, inclusive, and empowered Africa.