Shades & Layers
Shades and Layers is a storytelling platform celebrating Black women and women of colour who are building something of their own — on the African continent and across the diaspora.
The podcast launched in 2020 and is now more than 100 episodes strong. In 2025, the show was nominated for Best Long-Time Podcast at the Black Podcasting Awards.
In each conversation, host Kutloano Skosana sits down with founders to explore business ownership, representation, and what sustainability and success really mean in a complex, interconnected world. The conversations are wide-ranging — part masterclass in entrepreneurship, part wisdom for living well — and always a space for women to be fully human: to share the quirks, the doubts, and the vulnerabilities behind the highlight reel.
These days, Shades and Layers is two things woven together. Alongside the podcast, Kutloano — now exploring a new chapter of her own in Italy — sends Life Notes: honest monthly letters on identity, motherhood, reinvention, and the business of building a life.
Shades and Layers’ founding philosophy is: a story well told can change your life, you don't need big accolades for your entrepreneurial journey to matter.
The guests span beauty, fashion, and wellness, North and South: Dr. Theo Mothoa-Frendo on building a science-based African skincare range with USO; Taryn Gill of The Perfect Hair on supply chains and brand-building; Katonya Breux of Unsun Cosmetics on melanin and sunscreen for every skin tone; Abiola Akanni of IYA Well on non-performance in yoga; and designers like the late Maria McCloy of her eponymous fashion label, Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg of The Ninevites, and Candace Lawrence of Modern Gesture, championing handmade, custom, and circular production.
Whether you're here to listen, to read, or to build something of your own — welcome to the circle.
Shades & Layers
MieCup for Better Period Management with Zema Sokanyile (S4, E8)
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In this week’s episode, we talk to Zema Sokanyile, the founder of MieCup, a South African menstrual cup brand. I’m a huge fan of menstrual cups so when I found out that there is a South African brand founded by a black woman, I had to speak to her!
Zema is originally from the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and has found success in the Western Cape where she studied Engineering. During the day, she ensures the safety of the country’s military ships and the rest of her time goes towards growing Mie Cup, which includes educating South African women on alternatives to traditional period products.
As always there is a lot to learn about entrepreneurship and also enjoy about Zema's story.
She shares about:
- Educating a new audience, introducing a new product and changing attitudes towards menstruation
- How to transfer your skills into a new environment
- Chasing dreams and self-discipline
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Nolitha Fakude - https://www.702.co.za/articles/440111/nolitha-fakude-i-am-in-the-first-generation-of-women-to-have-opportunities
Amanda Dambuza - https://amandadambuza.com/about-amanda-dambuza/
Rihanna - http://www.rihannanow.com/
Mathebe Molise - Founder of South African online beauty store, BeautyOnTapp and a former guest on Shades and Layer. Check out our conversation on the episode titled Accidentally Beautiful
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