Lisa Ndyalivani Awarded the 2026 Michael H. Boyce Award
The Silulo Foundation proudly congratulates Lisa Ndyalivani, Founder and CEO of Woow Foods, on being awarded the 2026 Michael H. Boyce Award.
Presented annually, the award recognises an entrepreneur whose journey reflects exceptional resilience, leadership, business growth and a commitment to uplifting others through entrepreneurship.
The annual Michael H. Boyce Award Ceremony brought together entrepreneurs, partners, alumni and supporters to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs participating in the Silulo Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme. The event featured keynote speaker Dr Michael Morris, founder of the University Poverty Business Initiative (UPBI) Programme, together with Foundation partners, board members and alumni entrepreneurs, who reflected on the power of collaboration, entrepreneurship and ecosystem support in creating sustainable businesses.
Named in honour of Colonel Michael H. Boyce (USMC, Ret.), the award recognises entrepreneurs who embody the values that defined his life: honour, courage, commitment, faithfulness, discipline and leadership. More than an award, it celebrates entrepreneurs who continue to create opportunities for others while building businesses that strengthen their communities.
This year’s award recipient, Lisa Ndyalivani, exemplifies those values.
A Journey Built on Determination
Lisa’s entrepreneurial journey began with something many people overlook: selling food at taxi ranks. With determination, consistency and an unwavering belief in her vision, she steadily built her business from humble beginnings into a recognised food enterprise.
Today, Woow Foods operates two cafeterias at CPUT’s District Six campus and a mobile food truck that supports catering, events and marketing activations. Over the past year alone, the business generated an unforeseen turnaround, demonstrating just how far Lisa’s entrepreneurial journey has progressed.
Yet Lisa will be the first to acknowledge that growth is never achieved alone.
Although she had already established a successful business before joining the Silulo Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme, she recognised that she had reached what she describes as a “glass ceiling”. She was looking for stronger financial management skills, greater strategic insight, valuable business networks and the confidence to scale sustainably.
Through the programme, Lisa embraced every opportunity available to her. She actively participated in bootcamps, workshops, networking events and business development initiatives. Working alongside the University of the Western Cape’s UPBI student consulting team, she strengthened her business planning, marketing and operational systems. She also implemented improved financial and operational practices that have contributed to stronger profitability and business performance.
The Power of an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
One of the defining characteristics of Lisa’s entrepreneurial journey has been her willingness to embrace collaboration and make the most of the opportunities created through the Silulo Foundation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Recognising that no entrepreneur succeeds in isolation, Lisa actively built relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, business partners, mentors and development organisations. She sources coffee beans from fellow Silulo entrepreneur Malusi Coffee, demonstrating how businesses within the Foundation’s network support one another. She also partnered with Malusi Coffee to strengthen her team’s barista skills through specialised training, while collaborating with the University of the Western Cape’s UPBI student consulting team to refine her business planning, marketing strategy and operational systems.
The Foundation’s network also opened doors to opportunities beyond technical business support. Through opportunities shared within the ecosystem, Lisa secured approximately R50,000 in funding from African Bank, while also benefiting from mentorship, networking and business development support from organisations including the CherryBlair Foundation, RLabs, Avuke, Youth@Work and the Rotary Waterfront Club.
For Lisa, these relationships have become just as valuable as funding. They have provided access to knowledge, practical expertise, new networks and strategic partnerships that continue to support the long-term growth of Woow Foods.
Paying It Forward
As Lisa’s business has grown, so too has her commitment to supporting other entrepreneurs.
Today, she is an active contributor to the Silulo Foundation community, serving on the organising committee for flagship events, returning as a guest entrepreneur during entrepreneurship bootcamps to share the lessons from her own journey, and regularly taking on MC responsibilities at Foundation events.
Lisa’s willingness to give back is one of the qualities that distinguished her as this year’s Michael H. Boyce Award recipient. Rather than simply benefiting from the programme, she has become an ambassador for it. By openly sharing her experiences, encouraging new entrepreneurs and actively contributing to the Foundation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, she exemplifies the leadership, generosity and collaborative spirit that the award seeks to recognise.
Receiving the 2026 Michael H. Boyce Award recognises far more than Lisa’s impressive business growth. It celebrates her commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, servant leadership and creating opportunities for others.
Her journey demonstrates what becomes possible when entrepreneurial determination is matched with the right ecosystem of support, practical business development, meaningful partnerships and access to opportunity.
Congratulations once again to Lisa Ndyalivani, Founder and CEO of Woow Foods, on being awarded the 2026 Michael H. Boyce Award. We look forward to watching her business continue to grow while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
At the Silulo Foundation, stories like Lisa’s continue to reinforce our belief that entrepreneurship is about more than building successful businesses. It is about creating jobs, strengthening communities and opening sustainable pathways to economic participation for generations to come.
Watch Lisa’s full documentary on our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/eMTEOWZVlqg
Inspired by Lisa’s journey? If you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow, scale and strengthen your business through practical training, mentorship, networking and access to valuable opportunities, now is the time to take the next step. Applications for this year’s final intake into the Silulo Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme are open, but enrolments are closing soon. Apply today and start building the next chapter of your entrepreneurial journey.”
Application page: Apply to the Silulo Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme
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