Interview: Duduzile Took A Leap Of Faith And Gave Birth To Ayana Innovatives

We are sad to announce that Duduzile Ngwenya, better known as  Noeleen has parted ways with Feminine Intuition, due to personal differences and different visions. However she mentioned that it was good while it lasted, but she has Ayana now, and it needs her full attention.

1. In what way has starting your own business alone been a leap of faith, and where have you found the strength to take it?

“I found the strength from my family and friends' support. I have always been passionate and gifted in writing, but due to some reasons I stopped when I got to high school. I then went to varsity, in 2014 and did my first year in BCom Chartered Accountancy. Due to lack of financial assistance, I couldn't further it for the past 3 years. I took a lot of strain from that and I lost all hope, seeing my first year classmates graduating and I'd think, I could be one of them but life happened differently to me. I was devastated and extremely sad. Until I started writing again this year, rekindling an old habit, I then decided that now it's time to start Ayana. God, the passion and spirit of persistence is all I needed to start this alone, and it'll keep me going.”

2. Please tell us more about Ayana and how it will benefit the community.

“Ayana Innovative is registered as a Holdings, because there's quite a number of things I want to do under it. We offer online services like website designing, digital marketing and graphic designing, for startups and medium organizations. And then there's Ayana Magazine, my most favorite lol, the first edition is going to be launched around October. There's something else I want to do before end of 2017 but let me not announce it before it happens, you know what they say about announcing things before they happen.

Currently we are accepting contributions to Ayana Magazine, like freelance writers, people who have experienced some of the issues the magazine is going to cover and a lot other contributions anyone would want to contribute. I believe the existence of Ayana is going to help in creating job opportunities and giving platform for new talent.”

 Where do you see this company in the next three years?

“I see it being one of the biggest black woman owned companies in South Africa, making great revenue and Ayana Magazine being available in both hardcopy and online.”

 4. How is Ayana different to your previous company?

“FIH was broadly about & for women, Ayana is for everyone. Although I'm for women empowerment, I believe men have something to contribute as well and they're also going through things they'd love to share with everyone. Ayana is different in terms of the aim, and what it contributes to the community.”

 5. Feminine Intuition was doing so good, what is happening?

”The partnership couldn't work out due to personal differences. Such things happen in life so we just parted ways, it's unfortunate that Feminine Intuition had to be dissolved in the process. I have a different vision, a different goal I want to chase, and now is the time.”

 6. Why now? Why do you feel right now is the right time for you to change into something different?

“There's a saying that says "There is never a perfect time, start now", after the dissolution of Feminine Intuition I sought reasons not to start something else, alone. I didn't find any, I knew then that I had to just start.”

 7. What gets you most excited about the company’s future?

“Fact that I'm doing what I love, and how beneficial it is to other people, gets me excited. Everything I'm going to achieve through it, be it emotionally, financially or intellectually, I'm excited about that. I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to put in the work and effort, to make it a success.”

8. What is different about working here than anywhere else?

“I feel like I've answered this question already lol, but the difference is simply doing everything alone. Everything about Ayana is looking at me, no one else, so this means I got to pull up my socks and work extra hours. I'm prepared for all that, hard work pays after all and besides, this is my baby.”

9. Was leap of faith fueled by passion?

“Yes it was, and the support from everybody who believes in me, played a very big role. I'm forever grateful and I'll never forget it. I'll keep going even on my bad days, because of the faith some people have in me.”

10. What can you say to people out there who look up to you?

“Step out of your comfort zone, believe in yourself, beware of the types of people you surround yourself with, they play a very big role in your growth as an individual. Prayer is important, talk to God about your life. Lastly, be determined and chase your goals no matter what. Nothing good comes easy, you've got to work for everything in life, keep a positive mindset in everything you do and all will go accordingly. Thank you for looking up to me.”

You can follow Ayana Innovatives on:
Twitter: @AyanaInnovative