The name Swiitch Beauty will certainly ring a bell if you’re a makeup or skincare enthusiast. At just 14 years old, Rabia Ghoor started her makeup brand, Swiitch Beauty in her bedroom.
“It all began when I discovered this incredible thing on the internet, called Youtube. At the time there weren’t many South African beauty YouTubers, so I was primarily watching international makeup channels.
I remember thinking to myself: “international makeup enthusiasts have so much more of a variety” – American, European or Asian brands that are unavailable here in South Africa were constantly innovating & evolving – (especially in the digital space), while South African brands lagged behind or just straight up didn’t exist,” she writes on her brand website.
Rabia then began researching product sourcing, formulation, e-commerce, packaging, manufacturing, and design with the end goal in mind being to create a beauty brand that firstly, didn’t break the bank and secondly – made things that people would actually use in real life – things that did what they said they were going to do.
Now, a 22-year-old, stunning, award-winning businesswoman, Rabia is making more strides and growing from strength to strength. Swiitch Beauty now has a skincare range that all the girlies (and everyone, really) are crazy about!
Rabia used her brand to take a public stand in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement in 2020, and those speaking up on racial inequality and human injustice. Specifically, Swiitch offered a cash grant towards a black-owned business. She also partnered with an up-and-coming black-owned e-store as the brand’s first official reseller.
More recently (about a week ago) Rabia added the prestigious title of Glamour Woman of the Year 2022 to her long list of awards! We can’t help but stan this queen making boss moves – and keeping our skin healthy and dewy, one product at a time! She’s definitely a Fuse Favorite!
Gone are the days when women were expected to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, while the men go out to work. Nowadays, we see more and more men opting to stay at home and take care of the children, while the women go out to “get the bacon”.
A study by the Pew Research Center shows that the number of fathers who are at home with their children for any reason has nearly doubled since 1989 when 1.1 million were in this category.
Women earning more than men is also becoming quite the norm in our society now, so much so that one African woman recently spoke out about paying for her own lobola (dowry payment for the bride) on Twitter.
Her tweets sparked a conversation where even more women came out with similar stories. Of course, it wouldn’t be Twitter if there was no debate about this issue. While others commended the women for their futuristic thinking, others condemned them for not following the practices of African tradition.
Whatever side you’re on, however, you must admit that the world is changing and so are the cultures of society. How far you’re willing to push boundaries is completely up to you (thank goodness for the gift of choice!).
On a lighter note, here are some of our favorite stay-at-home Tik Tok dads:
Hlengiwe Hans Ngidi grew up in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Imbali township. During her formative years in school, she was an active young girl with strong leadership skills. So much so that she was appointed head girl in high school.
After completing her high school studies, Hlengi, as she is affectionately called, studied Visual Communication and Graphic Design at the Durban University of Technology where she earned her National Diploma. She then worked in the advertising industry for almost ten years, before starting her small graphic design studio which led her into the creative world of hairdressing. “I was introduced to the hair industry by the late Mr. Welcome Msomi (who was my business mentor) and happened to be the father to the late Mr. Victor Msomi.
In 2007 Victor was the president of AHBEASA (AFRO HAIR AND BEAUTY EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA). I started co-ordinating their events and offering them graphic design services. Soon I started getting attracted to the salon business and its potential,” Hlengi passionately tells The Fuse.
Entrepreneurship
After gaining knowledge from various salon owners, Hlengi decided to open her own salon in Pietermaritzburg in 2011. “But I was not a hairdresser then, I was just a salon business owner. I soon realized that running a salon business was not as easy as it normally looks from the outside,” she admits.
“For my salon to eventually be successful, I had to market it on the local radio station, on street poles newspapers, and at community events – then social media was not really available.” In 2013 Hlengi got an opportunity to buy a salon in East Rand Mall, Johannesburg, which was an immediate success, but the challenge remained the same – was still not a hairdresser, and with her nature of loving to be in control, Hlengi felt she was not in control of her business. “I was depending a lot on other people to show up and do the job, that is when I decided to go and study hairdressing,” she says.
Backing passion with learned skills
In 2014 a determined Hlengi enrolled with L’Oreal Professionnel African Institute which was in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. “I was among the first students who enrolled in this new world-class hairdressing college. Really my decision of studying hairdressing was for me to be able to be in control of my business. But little did I know that my destiny was calling me,” Hlengi boasts.
Studying hairdressing made sense to Hlengi; she was exposed to a different caliber of professional hairdressers such as Rockefeller Makhubo, Bongani Mbunda, Titus Magida, Priscilla Nqoko, and more. The sky was the limit for a bright-eyed Hlengi, and she decided that her place in the industry was not behind a salon chair, but with education and skill development.
“Fortunately, L’Oreal Professional decided to invest more in me in terms of training and career acceleration. After getting my trade and assessor certification, I was employed as a trainer at their college. I thoroughly enjoyed my job, I excelled and within a year I was asked to assist in Mizani Education throughout Southern Africa, which was an amazing opportunity. The following year I was awarded Mizani Educator of the year by the L’Oreal Professional Product Division,” says with gratitude.
Currently, Hlengi is studying Trichology with the Institute of Trichologists UK. Trichology is a study of scalp disorders and hair loss. “This is a very clinical path, it is not hairdressing, although I am at the advantage that I am a licensed and qualified hairdresser.” She is also a National Education Manager L’Oreal Professional Products Afro Specialist and Mizani, where she plans and implements education for salons that use their products.
Touching lives
There are many perks and joys to the work Hlengi does, but the most satisfying part of it to her is making a visible change in clients’ lives. One such client is a middle-aged woman who came to one of the salons she trains.
“The lady was in such distress, and for some reason, I decided to join the hairdresser who was consulting with her. The lady’s hair was thinning, and she had patchy localized hair loss, she looked traumatized and couldn’t understand why she was losing her hair. I had a conversation with her about her family history in terms of hair and asked her about any medication she is taking or any special diet.
After observing and examining her hair and scalp, I realized that she was actually experiencing what we call Telogen Effluvium, which is the thinning of hair due to undernourished and shrinking follicles which is caused by a large number of follicles rapidly moving to a resting phase of the hair life circle. There are many causes of this condition such as physical trauma, emotional trauma, postpartum, and iron deficiency.
I also identified Alopecia Areata, which is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system sees a follicle as a foreign object and attacks it, her areata was still very active. From our conversation, the lady told me she lost her husband in a car accident a year before and she had a c-section childbirth four months later.
I referred the lady to a hair loss specialist in one of the hair clinics. Six months later the salon called me and said that I have a lady who is asking for me. I drove to the salon and found a lady waiting in tears. She was attending a hair loss clinic and her hair had improved drastically and she looked much happier. I was pleased to wash and blow-dry healthier hair on behalf of the salon. That is what my career is all but touching and changing people’s lives through knowledge and education.”
A trip to Paris
Hlengi tells us about the trip to the SSA L’Oreal Professional Seminar in Paris. Two salon owners were chosen to travel with the education team that includes her. “This is not just a normal visit to Paris but an education excursion. The two salon owners are Ayanda Madlebe from STUDIO 353 HIAR in Rivonia and Noxolo Mvalo from TOUCH BY NOXY in East London,” she says.
Ayanda and Noxolo are not only salon owners but licensed and qualified hairdressers, they are being prepared to push their businesses to the next level, the mission is to build sustainable businesses through skill development.
When starting this journey many years ago, Hlengi aimed to build relationships in the industry, be known as an influential figure, mentor and lead. We’d say she’s pretty much nailed it so far!
When Sibongile Tshabalala gave birth to her bouncing baby boy in October 1993, she didn’t know she was birthing someone who would play a huge role in the beauty industry. 29 years later, Bonolo Tshabalala is one of the most respected and sought-after makeup artists in the country.
It all started when Bonolo was growing up in the West of Johannesburg, raised by his mother, and grandparents, Violet and Mpho, who is now late. “Bonolo was a very active child who started growing teeth at six months, he never crawled, always stood up with chairs and tables, started walking at eight months, and hardly ever sick. He was constantly the life of every party, loved people, even strangers!” Violet says about her grandson.
Sibongile also only has fond memories of her only child when he was younger, “Bonolo always wore my doeks or fabric seat covers pretending it was his hair, what an entertaining child!” For her, raising her son was easy, calm, and soft, just like his name suggests.
Bonolo in school
At the age of 3, Bonolo’s family sent him to Betsie Verwoed Day Care, then later to Laerskool Betsie Verwoed Primary, which is now known as Westgold Primary. Being active never left him, in school he played cricket, sang, and did poems for the eisteddfods, and even became school prefect.
In 2011, he completed his Grade 12 studies at Ahmed Timol Secondary in Azaadville, a school in the center of a predominantly Indian community, rooted in its beliefs, and strongly adhered to culture. “I’m so grateful because that was a community that never judged my sexuality and never condoned bullying or undermined the diverse cultures and people who walked its streets. High school was the best years of my life,” Bonolo tells The Fuse.
After matric, Bonolo furthered his education with Central Johannesburg College, Alex Campus, studying Cosmetology. He’s even worked as a defaulter tracer at Glenanda Clinic, Johannesburg South, contractually.
After being rejected by Wits University, and AFDA for Dramatic Arts, a gap year just wasn’t an option for Bonolo. “I met a group of ladies dressed in uniform, with their hair and makeup done and I wondered about who they were and what they did. I asked and one answered with ‘we study beauty’,” Bonolo reminisces.
That same day, he went back home to his grandmother to tell her he would like to take a different path and study beauty until he can eventually get into an acting/ presenting school. Violet then spoke to Sibongile who was happy to have her son study anything that would give him ample opportunities to succeed in whatever field he chose. Booked and busy!
A few years later, Bonolo’s first client was Andrika Magano Sebobiso, a family friend who trusted that Bonolo was good enough to make her look amazing on her wedding day. Talk about being thrown in the deep end, but boy did he swim!
After some time and experience, Bonolo is so sought after that even some of the most loved and celebrated personalities request his services in advance. Although Bonolo’s humility wouldn’t let it out easily, we asked him about some of the famous faces his brushes have touched. “Haha, Zanele Mncube; a very well-known fashionista who introduced me to Nhlanhla Mafu from the singing group, Mafikizolo…who then introduced me to award-winning entrepreneur, Gugu Khathi, and she showed me off to the world!”
The Future
For Bonolo, the most satisfying thing about his work is being part of the making of an inspirational history. In a world full of makeup artists, he believes what sets him apart is his never-ending appetite for more knowledge. “It makes me a better makeup artist than I was seven years ago when I first started on this journey – it improves my craft and service,” he adds.
Going forward, Bonolo wants to play a role in making makeup a luxury that is part of our daily lives. He also wants to own a makeup brand or cosmetic line that will be responsible for creating jobs. With his brush in his hand and love for people, Bonolo is bound to make even bigger waves!
Music forms a big part of human nature, there’s a song for every occasion, whether good or bad. Those who have been trusted with the delicate talent of making music often struggle with letting it go when called to other paths. Therefore Khabonina Dlamini, Sabelo Mthembu and a few others formed Quava Vocal Group in 2009 after graduating from the University of Johannesburg.
“We were part of the University of Johannesburg Choir while studying, and after graduating, we wanted to continue the culture of choral singing, so we formed the group,” Sabelo, who is the conductor and music director of the group tells The Fuse.
Now 13 years later, Sabelo works a nine-to-five as a Data Analyst for Multichoice, but you’ll find him at rehearsals every Monday evening. “We rehearse every Monday evening from 6pm to 8pm and occasionally on weekends for “camp” rehearsals,” he says.
Making music requires more than just talent, commitment is also key to succeeding. “Each member is chosen based on their talent, which includes vocal quality, good ear and availability. Singing history is not a requirement as long as the singer has a passion for music and hard work,” Sabelo adds.
Hard work pays off
Each member of Quava has these qualities, which makes it no surprise that the group recently travelled abroad and swept audiences off their feet and collected a few awards along the way! “We embarked on a performance tour of Italy and Spain for two weeks (6 – 18 October 2022). In Italy, we presented two concerts and did a workshop with a local choir from Rome called Coro Cantering. In Spain, we took part in a competition called Sing For Gold World Choral Cup.
“We took part in two categories: adult category and jazz, pop, and gospel categories. We won both categories and placed in the top 3 best choirs in the overall competition. I was also awarded the best conductor prize,” a very humble Sabelo shares.
Preparing for this trip wasn’t a walk in the park for the uber-talented group. “Funding was the biggest challenge. Covid was also a big challenge because lockdowns made rehearsing very difficult,” but because of each member’s dedication and faith in God, they soon overcame their challenges with the bigger picture in mind.
“To overcome funding challenges, we had to be very innovative. We presented several concerts in which we collaborated with other choirs. I also used my Comrades Marathon run to raise funds. To overcome covid challenges, we had to do virtual rehearsals and provide each singer with their individual voice parts so that they can rehearse on their own at home,” Sabelo explains. And soon enough, the group was ready for take-off!
First-time travellers
This trip meant so much to several members of the group – ten singers were travelling abroad for the first time. Mbali Faku, who only joined the group a year ago, is one of the singers who left South African shores for the first time.
“Touring Italy and Spain with Quava Vocal Group was life-changing! I am so grateful for this lifetime opportunity and just the thrill of being a part of something so much bigger than you. I’ve never felt so alive. I lived in the moment and enjoyed every little bit of what this experience had to offer,” she tells us.
“My top two fondest moments or memories were: First, singing for and connecting with the people of Calella through our music. I couldn’t help but smile and look into their eyes while singing. Second, the bonds I got to form with my fellow choristers. We held each other down throughout. The challenges we faced were easy to overcome because we did it together. I can’t wait for what’s to come for Quava. I pray we get to do something like this yearly,” Mbali adds.
Quava Vocal Group has even bigger dreams and goals for the future. They look forward to releasing their first album in 2023 and hope to tour more of South Africa. The group have also set their sights on collaborations with local and international composers.
“We are truly blessed to be able to use our gifts to touch many people’s hearts across the world. Our values are God, love, and excellence. We are humbled to be used by God to make music that heals people and gives them hope, to radiate love in everything we do, and to be a good model for excellence,” Sabelo concludes.
Hair has always been an important aspect for little black girls and women, it plays an integral part in identity and freedom of expression. Local actress, Shonisani Masutha, 30, is no different – she spoke to us about her hair journey, and the opportunities she’s gotten as a result.
Shonisani has always had a keen interest in hair, especially her own. She has two older sisters and growing up, their mother, Naledzani Masutha, would take a day to sit with each of them and braid them.
“Singles! What a superhero, also she used to relax our hair herself!” Shonisani says proudly. She and her sister’s hair were always healthy, in protective styles and well looked after. From a very young age, Naledzani taught her girls that their hair is their pride and joy. “I have treated my hair with love & respect ever since,” Shonisani adds.
Going Natural
At the age of 25, Shonisani decided to cut the chemically relaxed ends of her hair and grow an afro. “I didn’t know how to maintain it, how to help it grow and give it the daily attention that it needed. I didn’t even know how to comb it. But I did my research on YouTube and asked a couple of naturalist friends (for advice) and now I have my own customized afro routine,” she tells The Fuse. Although it has been a fulfilling five-year journey of letting her hair grow in its most natural state, it’s not without its challenges.
“I don’t have enough time to maintain the afro that I have cultivated. I find that I am always braiding because twisting and untwisting your hair every morning and night, and can prove to be time hoarding,” says the busy actress.
However, maintaining a good and healthy afro all begins with a routine specifically tailored to your hair type. The actress let us in on how she keeps her hair feeling and looking as healthy as possible.
“I wake up with my bonnet on, I then shower and afterwards remove the bonnet, spray it with a water and conditioner mixture that I make in a spray bottle, then I take my afro out of twists, and I gently brush it out but emphasis on gently because I don’t want to ruin the twisted curl pattern. I then add an argan oil and style it.”
The Shonisani Braid
Protective hairstyles are a big part of the natural movement. This is when you give your afro a break from daily manipulation and keep it in a low-manipulative hairstyle for some time. Shonisani’s favourite protective hairstyle is knotless braids using her own brand.
In 2020, Shonisani became the first South African actress to launch her own hair extensions, the Shonisani Braid. She was approached by hair company, Afrotex SA, to become a brand ambassador for their hair but she wanted to be more than just the face of the hair and got more involved in the making of the hair extension quality.
“It is the best fibre on the market right now and I say this objectively! It’s categorised as a premium fibre. It comes pre-stretched, it’s 31 inches, soft and light and it has a multi-colour range. We do single-colour hair and ombre hair with a beautiful two-tone finish. It is feather light so when the wind blows, it dances and you feel like the goddess that you are,” Shonisani boasts about the brand.
For anyone who loves braiding their hair, the Shonisani Braid sounds like the perfect hair extension! “I want to thank every single member of the #ShonisaniBraidGang for rocking with us for the last two years, we couldn’t have done it without you and to the future #ShonisaniBraidGang members, we cannot wait to welcome you to this big, beautiful family!” the actress concludes.
Thabiso Mnguni, 29, was born in Soweto but because his parents were forced to move back to rural KZN in KwaNongoma because of the ongoing political violence at the time, he didn’t spend much time in the popular township in Gauteng. He spent his formative years in eMatsheni eziNduna (commonly referred to as eVuna) in KwaNongoma before moving to Pietermaritzburg at the age of seven.
“To be honest I was a restless kid, I got into trouble quite often and had an aversion to school and rules. My dream as a child was firstly to be a soccer player, which was quickly replaced by the job of president, not because of the prestige that the title carries.
But because I thought it was cool that the only other person who was allowed to speak on the radio beside the well-respected radio presenters was this person my grandmother called uMongameli, which means president in isiZulu,” Thabiso tells The Fuse.
“I had no idea what a president was at the time and what he or she did for a living. KwaNongoma didn’t have electricity until 2001 so our only source of news or entertainment growing up was the radio. By the time I was around ten years old I already knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I’ve never wanted to be anything else ever since,” he adds.
After completing high school, Thabiso graduated with a Bachelor of Finance from the University of Johannesburg, majoring in Investment Management. He went on to complete Equity and Bonds Trading certifications with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He is currently in the process of completing an Advanced Diploma in Financial Markets.
The birth of Kofi Kulcha
In May 2019, Thabiso started his business, Kofi Kulch. Having always loved coffee, he knew he wanted to get involved in the coffee industry somehow.
“I began the process with the purchase of a VW Kombi, which I was busy converting into a mobile coffee bar before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
“It prompted me to halt the idea of completing the conversion of the kombi and go ahead with launching my instant coffee line, which I had initially planned to do in 2021,” he says.
As challenging as it proved to be launching a product during a lockdown, the business started operating officially in October 2020.
Entrepreneurship is a huge learning curve that provides so much opportunity for growth but a lot of headaches as well. Among the challenges Thabiso experienced was gathering enough capital to get the business started and operational.
“The manufacturing process for instant coffee is quite costly and full of risks, which could be quite frightening for any entrepreneur. I used up my entire savings and investment accounts as well as my provident fund when I left my previous job in 2019 to get the business up and running. Since then, the biggest obstacle, which many entrepreneurs face, is that our business hasn’t been immune to the complexities of mastering distribution and scaling up of the business as there are so many moving parts to take into cognizance.
“On the personal side, my biggest challenges would definitely be time management as well as multitasking as I dedicate so much time to new ideas and trying new approaches that can improve both myself and the business.”
It takes a village
Since starting his business, Thabiso has received overwhelming support from all quarters to an extent that Kofi Kulcha has received orders from old friends in places as far as Kenya and the UK.
“I consider myself lucky to have great business and personal mentors who have become family to me. I also have a great support structure with my aunt being my biggest cheerleader and motivator,” Thabiso fondly shares.
One of his highlights was being nominated for African founder of the year under 30 by the FOYA Global Awards, and his fondest memory is the immense support he received from the late Dr Sindi Van Zyl who was one of the first people he sought advice from before starting his business.
Thabiso’s take on entrepreneurship
“I’d say the biggest misconception about running a business is that everything must go overwhelmingly right as a confirmation of the viability and success of the business and that anything contrary to that is a sign of possible failure. It’s honestly far from that.”
Thabiso compares entrepreneurship to the trade of farming; often the effort and energy invested today may not be reaped immediately but rather in a few months or a year. Relationships one has built and fostered years prior can play a pivotal role in your success when you least expect it. So, rather than seeking, more days are spent trying to connect dots that refuse to connect, putting out fires and avoiding disaster than anything else.
Without the risk of coming across as a business expert of any sort, the best advice Thabiso can give from his humble entrepreneurial journey is to start today and start with whatever resources you have, and once you have begun don’t stop no matter how difficult it seems.
“We often wait for the ‘perfect’ time to start, unfortunately, there is no such perfect time. The sooner I started the sooner I made mistakes that I learnt from, and early successes gave me the momentum to keep going and since then it’s been a process of rinse and repeat.
“A book I would recommend for any budding entrepreneur is The Alchemist. It may not be a book about business, it’s more so a book about self-discovery and in many ways that is what entrepreneurship is. It’s basically a journey of self-discovery and self-actualisation in the form of a business, which is usually an extension of our personalities, hobbies, or passions,” he concludes.
