Linda Mabhena
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Linda Mabhena-Olagunju | |||
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| Born | Linda Mabhena January 1, 1984 Eastern Cape, South Africa | ||
| Nationality | African | ||
| Citizenship | South Africa | ||
| Occupation | Entrepreneur | ||
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Linda Mabhena-Olagunju (born January 1, 1984) is an African entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is known for the founding of DLO Energy Resources Group (Dudu Linda Olagunju), independent power producer (IPP) based in South Africa. She currently serves as the company's chief executive officer.[1][2][3]
She has been a member of the University of Oxford International Advisory Board since 2018.[4]
Early Life
Mabhena-Olagunju was born in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Her mother Veronica was a primary school teacher and father Michael a criminal law and litigation lawyer. They were also both entrepreneurs.[5] She has 2 siblings. Linda’s childhood was filled with angst as she grew up during the period of Apartheid. Her mother’s family were activists against the apartheid regime. Family members were also liberation fighters and her home provided comfort and shelter to those returning from exile or hiding.
Education
Mabhena-Olagunju attended the National School of Arts High School in Johannesburg; where she majored in Drama. She went on to study law at University of Cape Town, where she attained an LLB (Bachelor of Law). After graduation Mabhena-Olagunju worked at a law firm for a short while before heading to Aberdeen, Scotland (UK) to further her education, gaining a Masters in International Commercial Law with specialization in oil and gas law.[6][7] [8]
Career
Aberdeen City Council
In 2007, Mabhena-Olagunju began working part-time for the Aberdeen City Council. One of her major projects involved developing Aberdeen’s first offshore wind farm. This drew major opposition from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who tried to halt the project in a losing court battle; arguing the development would spoil the view from Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.[9]
Dewey & LeBoeuf
In 2010, Mabhena-Olagunju began work for the global law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf|Dewey & LeBeouf in their Johannesburg office. She became the youngest negotiator for the firm and secured funding from the World Bank for South Africa's public electricity utility, Eskom.[10]
DLO Energy Resources Group
Mabhena-Olagunju launched DLO Energy Resources Group in 2011. She then went on to acquire an equity stake in a $400,000 000 wind farm at just 26 years old. The company recently acquired an equity stake in a large EPC and O&M company; making it South Africa’s first majority black-owned female engineering services company.[11][12]
Awards & Achievements
In 2014, Mabhena-Olagunju was listed amongst the 20 most powerful women in Africa featured on the Oprah Winfrey Power List.[13] In 2016 Veuve Clicoquot awarded Mabhena-Olagunju with their annual Elle Boss award.[14] In 2017, Linda was recognized as the Best Emerging Entrepreneur by Forbes Woman Africa.[15] A year later she was recognized as the 2018 Youngest Board Member on the University of Oxford’s International Advisory Board and recently she appeared in the 2020 Choiseul 100 Africa Economic Leaders For Tomorrow list.[16]
She is currently a member of the University of Oxford International Advisory Board.[17][18]
References
- ↑ Msweli, Vumile (August 21, 2020). "An interview with Linda Mabhena-Olagunju". Business Day. Nigeria. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ Bulbulia, Tasneem (December 10, 2018). "DLO Energy Resources invests in 30 MW solar plant in Nigeria". Engineering News. South Africa. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ "DLO Energy". Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ↑ "African Studies Centre's International Advisory Board Inauguration". Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ↑ "African Power & Energy Elites Personality: Linda Mabhena-Olagunju". Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ↑ Siziba, Nompu (October 29, 2020). "Black-female-led energy companies team up to save National School of the Arts". Moneyweb. South Africa. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ Sobuwa, Yoliswa (November 2, 2020). "Women-led firm energises arts students". Sowetan Live. South Africa. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ "Law students tutor young legal eagles". Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ↑ Kevin, Keane (July 2, 2018). "Aberdeen wind farm opposed by Donald Trump generates first power". BBC News. UK. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ Motau, Dimakatso (October 7, 2011). "Internship programmes helping SA tackle skills shortages". Engineering News. South Africa. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ Grant-Marshall, Sue (February 5, 2017). "Winning Women: Pushing the power of green". News24. South Africa. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ Obineme, Ndubuisi (August 29, 2018). "DLO Energy to invest in Gas-To-Power projects in Africa". Oil & Gas Republic. South Africa. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ "The 2014 O Power List: 21 African Women Who are Rocking the World". Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ Seeth, Avantika (October 9, 2016). "Elle Boss rewards achievers". News24. South Africa. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ↑ "A Bloodbath In The Wind". Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ "Linda-Mabhena-Olagunju". Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ "African Studies Centre Inagurates Its International Advisory Board". Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ↑ "LINDA MABHENA-OLAGUNJU". Retrieved April 30, 2021.
External links
This article "Linda Mabhena" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.