, going to university, I was undecided on what to apply for, and I remember my father persuading me to become an astronaut or a computer scientist, it never crossed my mind that this is something that African girls don’t do and cannot be.
The advice I would give to parents is to establish very early on a sense of confidence and responsibility in their girls. Teach them to fend for themselves and to rely only on themselves. Teach your daughter life skills. Teach your daughter the skills on how to best manage her finances, her salary, and her investments wisely. And moreover, treat her as an independent person and whole human being with a true role in society, equal to that of a man.
Today News Africa – In a male-dominated society, what are some of the biggest challenges you face as a female business woman?
Isabel dos Santos – In the business world there are very few female peers, and it is till undoubtedly a very male-dominated society. Discrimination and prejudice exist. On various occasions in business meetings it has happened to me that the other party with whom I am negotiating will look solely at my male advisor or male lawyer, to see what he has to say, even though I am the owner /shareholder of the business and have already clearly stated my decision.
Your opinions are frequently second guessed simply because you are a woman. I am also often asked: “what business does your husband do? People just assume that as a woman and a mother you are someone less able to be negotiating at the table or that you built your own business. The toughest thing for women is to raise capital and investment for their business, as the financial system has “more confidence” in male-led projects.
Today News Africa – Are there particular challenges that you face as an African woman?
Isabel dos Santos – Being very often the only black person in the room… is a challenge, people tend to treat you differently. Africa has unfortunately been marketed in a very poor way. The narrative around African economies and African business isn’t favourable, it’s full of negative connotations. Africa needs better marketing in order to promote its success stories better. There is very little knowledge of African businesses or key business players out there.
Today News Africa – How do you maintain your strength to carry forward?
Isabel dos Santos – As an African person, I was lucky to receive a top education. In this way I am privileged, and this provides me with a great sense of duty, to do more for others, for my country and for our people. To inspire and help others build their dreams, build their business, get good jobs, and educate their children.
Today News Africa – What opportunities exist currently in Angola or other countries in the continent for women who wish to make money and build successful enterprises?
Isabel dos Santos – Opportunities for me always start with a simple question: What do you know how to do? What are you good at? And there you will find your opportunity.
The more complex the business, the more it will require, for you to be experienced and skilled, and the need for more capital. Today, the Angolan banking sector offers financing and loans for good projects and businesses, and it is true that interest rates are still high, and that some collateral or partial guarantees is required, as well as some starting capital (savings or land) as equity from the investors. Angola imports over $9 billions of food commodities and consumer goods. Today Africa as a whole continues to import vast amounts of commodities and consumer goods.
A good opportunity in Africa would be the medium scale production of agriculture produce or animal farming or manufacturing. Also, in some countries, there is a growing middle class with a growing disposable income, and thus internal tourism such as lodges, and countryside bed and breakfasts are also a developing opportunity for small family-owned businesses. Good quality private education and private health care clinics are also sectors of potential business growth in Africa, as people want to invest in education for their children.
Bigger opportunities, for more capital-intensive investments and bigger deals, lie in industries, such as glass or steal manufacturing for construction, or mineral exploration.
Today News Africa – How can we get started?

You must have an idea, make a five-year plan, prepare your money, ground your idea in detail, be persistent, and partner yourself with a trusted team. Stay passionate always and execute – don’t delegate.
Today News Africa – What are some tips and tricks you can share with young women about managing time, juggling responsibilities, and self-care with all your different ventures and responsibilities?
Isabel dos Santos – Time unfortunately is one of those things that none of us has enough of! We always end up sacrificing something, whether it be less time with our family, or our friends, or having our social life. Or even less time at the gym!
Today News Africa – Because you are the richest woman in Africa, many people must ask you for charity and support for their social ventures. Have you established a formalised way to give back?
Isabel dos Santos – Supporting social ventures has always been a priority. From the start, I have installed in my companies a specific division for social responsibility and sponsorship programmes. We sponsor several charities, and we run our own programmes.
I have encouraged all our employees to be part of our social responsibility programmes, as volunteers, as I believe we need to multiply our efforts and together we are stronger. I am personally very involved, as a donor, but also personally taking part in these actions, as well as in organizing social ventures and engaging with the community directly, as this is a firm commitment, I have made to help improve our society.
Today News Africa – How do you decide what causes to support, and when to say no?
Isabel dos Santos – I choose to support those initiatives that are focused on the needs of children, and with education and healthcare at the core of what I do. The fight against malaria is a cause that I carry very close to my heart and I am very committed to help to its eradication.After last week’s 2-0 victory over Baylor University, the Houston Dash will have a greater test this preseason this next week with the Portland Invitational Tournament. They will face the Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars and the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in order to improve before the 2017 NWSL season begins.
Despite the fact Houston is preparing for their fourth season in the league, this is the first time they’re returning with a solid group of returners. It has been a struggle for the Dash to find chemistry over the past few seasons with new faces coming and out. Only three players from the Dash’s first official roster remain - Captain Kealia Ohai, Stephanie Ochs and Bianca Henninger - but there are many faces returning from the past season that have truly built the foundation for the Dash moving forward.
There are a total of 14 rostered players returning to the Houston Dash this upcoming season, as well as a handful of trialists who have trained with the team in previous seasons. Things were starting to piece together for the team in the second half of the season, when Ohai scored an impressive 11 goals to finish 2016. Now, with so many players and important figures coming back, they are able to continue the success from the end of last season.
The Dash’s roster is known to have depth in their attack. Ranging from Denise O’Sullivan to Melissa Henderson, finding attacking players has never been a problem for the Dash. Although results of a threatening attack have been hard to come by at times, the Dash will hope to find the back of the net more often than not this year. They’ve also added new faces in Nichelle Prince and Amber Munerlyn up top. Prince was one of Houston’s picks from the 2017 NWSL College Draft, and she also represents Canada at the international level. Munerlyn played for UCLA and is a trialist for the Dash. She most recently scored one of the two goals in the Baylor game.
Something the Dash have really struggled with since joining the league in 2014 is a consistent backline. Head coach Randy Waldrum hopes to change that this year, bringing in new faces to help. Janine Van Wyk is the biggest name to stand out on his new defender list. Van Wyk is part of the South Africa Women’s National Team and brings plenty of experience to a shaky backline. Some returners include Poliana and Cari Roccaro, both of which saw a good amount of action last season. Waldrum hopes his new mix is the right one for his back four.
Lastly, Waldrum currently has three goalkeepers on his roster. He has two returning in Henninger and Australian Lydia Williams, but also he’s added Jane Campbell. Campbell was possibly the biggest steal of the draft. Campbell is one of the best goalkeepers to come from Stanford, and she’s becoming a regular for the U.S. Women’s National Team. The starting position is up for grabs by any of these three, and it’ll be interesting to see how Waldrum handles it.
The Houston Dash kick off the Portland Invitational against the US U-23 WNT on Sunday, March 26. Kick off is at 2:30 pm Pacific Time.
Winter: It'll Be Over Soon!
Can you believe that it is almost the middle of February! Here in the Fraser Valley we can believe it because winter weather really didn't get here until February. Our almost springlike January is now a figment of our imagination as we have to deal with temperatures that have actually dipped down below freezing! Of course, the rest of Canada isn't feeling too sorry for us with our last minute winter. We cannot complain as this winter has been awesome -