How Refilwe Sebothoma Is Building Africa’s Clean Energy Future
Refilwe Sebothoma is more than an entrepreneur — she is a woman on a mission to change the way Africa accesses energy. As the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award Winner 2024 and Bold Future Award 2024 Winner, Refilwe has built Hakem Energies around a powerful belief: energy should empower, not exclude.
Born and raised in the mining community of Marikana in the North West, Refilwe’s journey is rooted in resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to uplifting communities. From starting with two LPG Box sites, Hakem Energies has expanded to five operational sites across multiple provinces, delivering clean, affordable energy solutions to households, businesses, and industries.
In this conversation with Tony Mautsu, CEO of Social Light, Refilwe opens up about the realities behind building a business — the setbacks, sacrifices, risks, and having real “skin in the game.” She shares her vision for solving energy poverty in Africa, empowering women and youth entrepreneurs, and creating a future where clean energy is not a luxury, but a basic right. This is a story of leadership, courage, and the power of building with purpose.
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