After losing her mother unexpectedly in 2021, serial entrepreneur Katleho Tsoku faced a crushing wave of sadness and uncertainty about the future. For many Nigerians and West Africans, the pain of losing loved ones is a familiar story. “There were days I couldn’t tell if I’d ever feel joy again—if I’d even recognise it when it returned,” Katleho recounts. Having lost her father and brother in earlier years, her mother had become the anchor of her world, close family always around for support. As she grieved, Katleho kept reflecting: what does joy look like after such a loss? And in this trying period, she came to a powerful realisation—sometimes, when life redirects us through pain, we also find new purpose. That new direction became the seed of a fresh business venture, one that would bloom out of loss into something healing for herself and other women.
Picking Up The Pieces
Picking up the pieces after losing a loved one isn’t just about emotional recovery—it’s also about redefining community and self-care. In many Nigerian and West African families, the process of coming together for remembrance, mourning, and eventually celebration is core to healing. Katleho began to realise that these gatherings—whether over simple meals or larger family events—became vital touchpoints for shared comfort and hope. This understanding grew into a practical question: how could the act of hosting itself become a path to restored happiness for women facing their own struggles?
Savouring Joy
Feedback from early gatherings soon shaped Katleho’s vision for HOSTED into a wider movement. In her words, “Women juggle so much—motherhood, work, being a wife, keeping up with expectations from family and society.” For many in Lagos, Accra, and beyond, these pressures are all too real. HOSTED became her call to action: “Please take a break. Feed your joy.” She emphasizes that, especially for Black women, intentional spaces of togetherness offer real healing. “We need to make room for our joy and do it through intimate connections. Our homes—these gathering places—should nourish and restore us.” For West African women whose daily lives are built around connecting, lifting each other up, and sharing experiences, this is a call to cherish every opportunity for joy.
Creating Pretty Spaces
Aesthetics play a key role at HOSTED events. Katleho believes that beauty and intentional design elevate not just the look, but also the impact, of any gathering. “Women are hosting already—they just want more,” she notes, referencing feedback from focus groups. For many in the bustling cities of West Africa, where creative expression is part of daily life, transforming simple social connections into extraordinary memories is priceless. Katleho’s vision is for HOSTED to serve as both inspiration and practical guide—a source for everything from decor ideas to curated playlists that capture the energy of a Nigerian or Ghanaian homecoming. “That’s what HOSTED offers women—a companion who helps them create not just an event, but a feeling.”
The Four Pillars Of Hosting
To empower women who want to start or enhance their own gatherings, Katleho developed the “four pillars of hosting”: food and drink, style and design, music and mood, and community and connection. “These pillars cover the entire experience of hosting at home, from your menu and tablecloth to the ambience and atmosphere,” she explains. The regular HOSTED newsletter shares new ideas for each pillar—recipes from local chefs, playlists by female DJs, and décor tips from women working in African design—making every gathering an act of discovery. According to Katleho, “Every recommendation is by women, for women; from kitchen to living room to the stories we tell together.”
She adds that promoting women-owned brands—whether it’s a Nigerian wine label, Ghanaian kitchenware, or beautiful West African textiles—is always a priority. “When I share a table setting idea or a recipe, I’m not just making your event better. I’m also spotlighting women in hospitality, design, and food, opening doors for each other.” This approach creates a ripple effect: as hosts draw inspiration and resources from HOSTED, more women-led businesses, artisans, and creators get recognition and support across the continent. Looking ahead, HOSTED launched its online shop in late 2024, including stylish aprons inspired by West African craft and hospitality. “Our products are designed to help every woman bring elegance and creativity to her gatherings,” Katleho says. “It’s all about making each meal or celebration more meaningful.”
Lesson On Grief
What was a deeply personal journey has now become a platform that uplifts women through food, beauty, and community. But Katleho also insists there are important lessons in grief. She shares, “I learned on my healing journey that you can’t build an altar for your grief.” The insight came from an interview with a well-known broadcaster and community leader, reminding her—and all of us—that it’s natural to have moments of happiness after loss. These moments do not mean we have forgotten those we mourn; rather, they provide necessary space to breathe and heal.
“I don’t want to live in permanent mourning for my mum,” Katleho admits. “Instead, I choose to remember her with joy. That way, my memories remain heart-centered, not just heavy.” This perspective resonates with many West Africans, where remembrance often blends sorrow and celebration, music and food, sorrow stories and gratitude for a life well-lived.
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As HOSTED evolves, its mission grows clearer—to serve as a source of inspiration, resources, and community for women across Africa, offering practical tools for joy, remembrance, and gathering. Whether you’re planning a Friday lunch in Abuja, a celebration in Kumasi, or looking to simply reconnect with friends after a tough period, Katleho’s journey reminds us all: even after the hardest losses, new sources of joy and purpose can be found through togetherness, creativity, and the simple act of hosting.
How do you find joy in tough times? Have you created your own spaces for healing, beauty, or remembrance? Drop a comment below and join the conversation—your voice matters!
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