Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Life Sciences majoring in Biochemistry and Physiology from Stellenbosch University. Coming from a family that has struggled greatly financially, I have been inspired and driven by the strength demonstrated by my mother. My aim and goal in life has always been to remove the financial strain experienced by my family, and alleviate the financial burden carried by my mother. My hope is that if I can make the small changes necessary to better my family situation, I can carry that same action to my immediate community, and potentially greater surroundings.

My business and entrepreneur mindset has resulted in her starting a few businesses during her years of study. Covid was a period of particular hardship for my family, which put me in a tight situation and forced me to act. This resulted in the startup of my first business, NOTESBYFRANNIDEE, and with this business I was able to support my family during the stages of hard lockdown. Over the past few years, I have used that income to startup my second business, FOODBYFRANNIDEE, which is aimed at providing cost effective meals to students in the Stellenbosch area in the hopes of minimising the food security gap experienced by students.

Francisca is currently pursuing her Masters in Physiological Sciences, focusing on haematology and pathology. Her aim is to alleviate the medical burden on the health system, and hasten the diagnostic process of some diseases, thus improving the prognosis of patients and improve their quality of life.