1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
Mo’s Crib is a sustainable homeware brand that transforms recycled and natural materials into beautifully handwoven decor. From PVC pipes salvaged from landfills to banana bark and ilala palm sourced from local farmers, we design with intention, style, and impact. Our products are sold globally in major retailers like Crate & Barrel, Target, and locally with Woolworths and Mr Price Home. At the heart of our business is job creation and empowerment — we currently employ over 280 people, with women making up the majority of our artisan team.
2. When, how, and why did you start your business?
Mo’s Crib started as a creative hobby. I was inspired by a Japanese roommate who taught me origami while I lived abroad. That love for craft and handmade design followed me back to South Africa, where my sister Michelle and I turned a passion project into a formal business in 2016. We saw a gap in the market for locally made, sustainable homeware, and wanted to create something beautiful that could also uplift communities and reduce environmental waste.
3. What is your role in the business?
I am the Co-Founder, Head of Business Development, and Creative Director. I drive the business strategy, lead our international expansion efforts, and oversee the creative vision behind each product range.
4. Where did you study, and what did you study?
I didn’t follow a traditional academic path — I’m a law school dropout and self-taught artisan. My real education came through experience, travel, and hands-on learning. Michelle, my sister and business partner, has a BCom in Agricultural Economics and a Master’s from the University of Bern in Switzerland.
5. How did you finance your business?
We bootstrapped in the beginning — starting small with just our savings. Over time, we reinvested every cent and entered competitions to access funding. We’ve since won several awards, including the 2024 Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot and several other awards, which come with mentorship and financial support that helped us scale product development and marketing.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
No two days are the same. One moment I’m on the factory floor checking on production, the next I’m in back-to-back calls with buyers across the globe. My day includes team check-ins, product development reviews, strategy sessions, and sometimes even hands-on creative work.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
I’ve come to value quiet, grounding moments that bring me back to myself. I enjoy taking long walks around my neighbourhood in Pretoria, often with no phone, just me and my thoughts. I also love spending quality time with my family, listening to podcasts, cooking, and have recently discovered a passion for baking. It’s become one of my favourite ways to unwind and express creativity.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
People. The artisans we work with. Our community. Knowing that Mo’s Crib isn’t just about décor, it’s about purpose, empowerment, and sustainability. That, and the desire to keep building something meaningful and uniquely African on a global stage.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
Often when I’m walking, travelling, or completely unplugged. The quiet moments bring the most clarity; that’s when I start visualizing new designs, campaign ideas, or even business pivots.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
We use Instagram and social media to showcase our products and process. We’ve also benefited from PR through our partnerships and award wins. Additionally, we attend global trade shows, reach out to buyers directly, and tap into e-commerce networks.
11. What is next for your business?
We’re focused on expanding our factory sale model in South Africa, opening more retail touchpoints, and launching outdoor furniture made from recycled PVC. We’re also committed to training and empowering 10,000 artisans by 2030, that’s our North Star.
When I was awarded the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award last year, we had 200 artisans across the region. In just one year, we’ve been able to recruit 100 more, bringing our total number of employees to 300, with 80% of our manufacturing taking place in South Africa, as well as in Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
Be unique. Don’t try to replicate; instead, solve a real problem in a way that reflects your own story. Start with what you have and build as you go. And most importantly, never underestimate small beginnings. I started with my hands and a folded piece of paper.
Short bio
Morongwe Mokone, Co-Founder of Mo’s Crib and winner of the 2024 Bold Woman Award, the recognition has strengthened her commitment to creating meaningful job opportunities for women across Africa by manufacturing homeware from recycled and non-invasive materials.
The award exposure has elevated our brand equity. Mo’s Crib is now more widely recognised in the industry, and we’ve landed another major retail customer, growing our revenue exponentially. The opportunities just keep pouring in.
“Winning the 2024 Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot has opened incredible doors for us, allowing me to share the story of how we turn plastic waste into treasure and create sustainable jobs. It’s given me access to an incredible network of businesswomen, I’ve been called to speak on prestigious platforms alongside some of the most powerful women in business—that recognition and exposure have been invaluable”.
Reach out to Morongwe on her socials; Instagram: @morongwesm @mos.crib and LinkedIn: Morongwe (Mo) Mokone
