South Africa’s Young Inspirational Entrepreneurs and Their Top Brands

South Africa’s Young Inspirational Entrepreneurs and Their Top Brands. Most of them started from humble beginnings, selling from cars and door to door. Others have had to face various setbacks, which led to loss of business. Regardless, these entrepreneurs have risen above challenges, and are some of the most successful business owners in the country. Among those include Theo Baloyi, Portia Mngomezulu, Laduma Ngxokolo, Thatiso Dube, DJ Zinhle, Bonang Matheba and many more.

Check out a few that we have profiled, and draw inspiration while at it.

Theo Baloyi – Bathu

Since introducing the brand in 2015, Theo has been doing nothing but win. The inspirational entrepreneur bags award after award and opens store after store. Through Bathu, Theo’s strategic vision is impact, job creation, and sustainable growth. A year ago, the affluent entrepreneur was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year award, an award he got for 5 years consecutively.

Laduma Ngxokolo – MaXhosa

MAXHOSA AFRICA, is one of the biggest South African fashion brands. The knitwear brand was founded in 2010 by the talented Laduma Ngxokolo. This started after he won the South African Society of Dyers and Colourists’ design competition. This earned him a trip to London where he was awarded first prize in an international competition. He then decided to develop a Xhosa-inspired collection of knitwear using traditional Xhosa bead-work, colors and motifs.

DJ Zinhle – Era By DJ Zinhle

Era By DJ Zinhle brand was launched back in 2012. Just like many of her peers, Zinhle started small, but has now has grown to be this huge brand. The brand has grown from selling online to having stores in major malls like Mall of Africa, Rosebank Mall and Mall of the North. Zinhle has managed to create employment across the country, and this is commendable. Models also constantly get gigs, as they get to showcase some of the pieces from Era by DJ Zinhle. She has also worked wither her daughter Kairo on a number of collaborations, creating generational wealth.

Thatiso Dube – GalXBoy

Thatiso, also known as Vuittots started small, selling  t-shirts from the boot of his car. By 2014, GalXBoy opened its first physical store in Hatfield, Pretoria. That same year, the brand reached a remarkable achievement by making their first million in sales. Sadly challenges came, forcing him to close down. He is no back with a bang, and business is great.

Bonang Matheba – House of BNG

It has been six years of House of BNG. The journey hasn’t always been smooth for Bonang though, as she battled an ownership dispute with her former agency. Bonang eventually won the two year battle of the ownership of House of BNG. Now the media personality is shining with her beverage brand, and recently introduced a non-alcoholic version. House of BNG has also been used as a celebratory drink at major events across the country.

Lekau Sehoana – Drip

He is the epitome of resilience. No matter how many times Lekau falls down, he always rises up. He went from being an affluent businessman to seeing a number of his ventures close down. Personal life issues like divorce also got in the way of business. Regardless, Lekau is determined to be live his dream as a businessman. What he did with his show brand, DRIP, is nothing short of inspirational. He also has other business interests that he is now exploring.

Portia Mngomezulu – Portia M

Portia started with just one product in 2011. Now her brand Portia M has over 40 facial and body skin care products that are sold in over 2000 retail stores. They also have a growing and solid presence in countries around the African continent. Through this brand, the founder the affluent businesswoman has shown us that originality and starting small is the ultimate way to build an empire. Among the awards that Portia has won over the years include, the Most Admirable Woman Owned Brand in South Africa. She was also named the National Gazelle by the Department of Small Business Development and SEDA

Tshepo Mohlala – Tshepo Jeans

Tshepo has always been fashion forward, and sadly he was mocked for wearing skinny jeans before they were popular. He is now a successful fashion designer making denim outfits praised by global celebrities including the one and only Beyoncé Knowles. In 2019, he got a surprise order from the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. Meghan placed an order for a pair of jeans and today she came to collect them personally, which was a surreal moment for Tshepo.