This Women’s Month SME South Africa will celebrate South African women entrepreneurs, pioneers and innovators. Join us as we highlight their successes, sacrifices and struggles. Below are 5 Female SA Celebs who are using their star power to launch businesses. Follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at #SMEWomenInnovate.
Actress Terry Pheto recently announced the launch of a range of educational kids toys, Let’s Learn Toys, together with fellow actress and friend Mampho Brescia.
Pheto and Brescia join a long list of female entertainers, including singer Nandi Mngoma, DJ Zinhle and model Shashi Naidoo, among others – who attained fame before going on to launch their own business ventures, everything from jewellery and watches to fashion brands and beauty products.
Find out more about Pheto’s new toy range – and 5 other entertainers/entrepreneurs with similarly big business ambitions.
TERRY PHETO – Educational Toys
The founders, in an interview with IOL, said the aim for their educational toy brand is to equip young learners with skills that will prepare them to be leaders. Co-founder Brescia said the idea was also inspired by her desire to be a great mother.
The range includes building blocks, painting sets and board games.
SHASHI NAIDOO – Fashion And Beauty
Naidoo is one of the country’s most recognisable models, having appeared on the covers of FHM and Cosmopolitan South Africa, she has also hosted various television shows.
In 2008 Naidoo launched her modeling agency, Alushi Models, which has become one of the leading model management agencies in the country.
In 2016, Naidoo announced that she would also be venturing into the beauty industry, becoming a partner in the laser treatment boutique, The Laser Beautique, located in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria.
In an interview with People Magazine, Naidoo said she wanted to be part of the growing franchise, which is “helping many address their issues with their personal appearances, without resorting to invasive surgery”.
AZANIA MOSAKA – Nail Care And Beauty
Mosaka is a radio personality who has worked for Metro FM, Power FM and Talk 702. She, together with partners Linda Jangulo and Ego Iwegbu-Daley, launched the beauty salon, Miss Salon London, in 2011 in Morningside; a second branch opened in 2014 in Parkhurst.
The salon specialises in nail and hair care. They also sell their own range of cosmetics, MS Cosmetics, in both salons. According to The Citizen, businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo and television presenter Minnie Dlamini are regulars.
ENHLE MAPHUMULO – Fashion
In 2015, Maphumulo ventured into entrepreneurship and launched her own stylish maternity wear label, SE Preggoz. Maphumulo is an actress who has appeared on shows such as 7de Laan, Tshisa, Soul City, and iNkaba.
According to IOL, she first launched the label in New York, and it sold out within a week.
The range can be found in the Carabella Trendy Moms store in Rosebank, Johannesburg. In the same article, Maphumulo says she hopes to extend her brand across Africa and the US.
See also: How SA’s ‘Slashers’ Juggle A Nine to Five And A Side Hustle
DJ ZINHLE – Fashion Accessories
DJ Zinhle is a respected DJ and the co-founder of The Firm Understanding of Sound Entertainment (FUSE) Academy. In 2016 she launched her own accessory range, Era by DJ Zinhle, which she sold online through her website. The range is now also available in the Amerikana store at the Newtown Junction Mall and Xplosion Jewellers at Clearwater Mall.
The brand is known for its colourful watches, bracelets, and other accessories.
NANDI MNGOMA – Fashion
In 2016 Mngoma launched her fashion line Colourful together with South African designer Inga Madyibi. The collection debuted at Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg in 2016.
Mngoma is best known for her 2011 single Tonight and her debut album, Nandi, released in 2012. She also co-hosted All Access Mzansi in 2013, alongside TV personalities ProVerb and Dineo Ranaka.