Thokozani Njoloma: founder of weinsipire, entrepreneur, coach

Thokozani Njoloma, a social entrepreneur and executive leadership coach, is passionate about empowering women.

Through her organisation, Weinsipire, she has created a platform dedicated to advancing women’s growth and development.

As a staunch advocate and professional coach, she invites speakers to motivate women, nurturing their personal and professional advancement.

Thoko hosts online webinars and programmes tailored specifically for women, covering vital topics such as leadership, entrepreneurship and personal development.

These sessions furnish women with valuable insights, tools and resources to help them face their challenges and realise their aspirations.

In addition to her mentoring and coaching initiatives, Thoko collaborates with organisations and initiatives, promoting gender equality and women’s rights.

She also champions policies and programmes fostering women’s empowerment in the workplace, advocating for equal opportunities, fair treatment and recognition of women’s contributions.

As a women’s empowerment coach, she designs programmes to equip women with the mindset, knowledge and skills necessary for success in both their personal lives and careers.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared her struggles to establish her worth and identity as a young woman, navigating societal expectations and barriers without adequate support.

Driven by her own experiences, Thoko is determined to change the narrative for women worldwide, believing in their ability to pursue independence and achieve their aspirations free from the weight of societal expectations.

Recently, Weinsipire organised a women’s conference in commemoration of International Women’s Day, in collaboration with: mHUB, Association of Women in Media (Awome), and Ndanga Communications.

Themed ‘Nothing Bad Happens when Women make more Money,’ the conference convened women from diverse backgrounds across Malawi, focusing on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and wealth creation.

In addition to empowering women, she is a seasoned professional coach who guides companies and individuals through her firm to enhance productivity, leadership development and capacity building, while also facilitating team-building activities and recruitment.

Reflecting on her journey into executive leadership coaching, she shared her initial aspiration to become a prominent chief executive officer, fueled by a keen interest in observing and understanding effective leadership.

However, she became disillusioned by the predominance of foreign, particularly white male, leaders in major corporations across Malawi and Africa.

Throughout her career, she encountered leaders who lacked essential leadership skills and witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of manipulative, abusive and toxic leadership.

She emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive leadership training, noting that many leaders ascend to their positions without proper preparation.

Moreover, her experience working internationally revealed widespread negative perceptions of African leadership, further underscoring the importance of cultivating competent and ethical leaders within the continent.

Thoko expressed that this passion drove her to embark on a journey of coaching leaders, empowering them to unleash their full potential, make a profound impact and leave a lasting legacy.

She also added that toxic work environments, including encounters with toxic bosses, inspired her to establish Weinspire.

“This company serves as a catalyst for transforming workplaces, fostering magnetic environments, equipping leaders and employees alike with the skills and knowledge to thrive.

“Our mission is to cultivate high-achieving teams and foster thriving work environments characterised by effective leadership and magnetic cultures,” she said

She further explained that their mentorship programmes assist individuals in understanding their career aspirations and articulating clear, concise goals.

They help create career maps, outlining the crucial steps necessary for achieving these objectives and facilitate communication with employers.

Thoko highlighted their inclusive and trauma-informed team-building programmes, which cater for the diverse needs of individuals and teams.

The professional coach said these programmes range from off-site to on-site activities, offering medium to long-term solutions for sustainable team cohesion.

 She reiterated her commitment through her initiative to host conferences for women, encouraging them to embrace boldness and fearlessly navigate the future.

Their vision extends to creating an outstanding Malawi characterised by innovative, transformative and accountable leadership, positively impacting employee mental health and fostering a culture of respect, courtesy, and empathy in the workplace.

Ultimately, Thoko hopes to be remembered as a champion for women, inspiring them to believe in their boundless potential.

She aims to leave behind positive work environments where individuals feel empowered to express themselves and collaborate freely, irrespective of their position in the hierarchy.

Looking back at her roots, she finds happiness and gratitude, recognising the rewards of patience and diligent effort.

Growing up in a large extended family, resources were scarce for her and her siblings.

However, she held onto the belief that she could alter this narrative through hard work.

“I always envisioned myself as a leader, though I hadn’t anticipated the tumultuous journey ahead,” she reflected.

Despite enduring betrayals, an abusive marriage and divorce, she persevered, using each challenge as a stepping stone for growth.

“These trials have moulded me into a stronger leader and a better version of myself,” she affirmed.

Her message to women is one of courage and decisiveness, emphasising that leadership transcends titles—it’s a mindset.

“We all possess the capacity to lead,” she asserted, urging young girls to embrace this perspective.

Born on April 4 1982, Thoko is the sixth born in a family of eight and she is mother to Diana.

She comes from Salafosi Village, Traditional Authority Saimoni in Neno.

Thoko has a masters degree in public health from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Currently, she is pursuing her second masters in business administration with the University of Toronto.

In her leisure time, she indulges in writing and wide-ranging reading, describing herself as a contemplative individual whose creativity thrives in deep reflection.