Meet the Women Behind Gauteng’s Best Food, Fashion, and Beauty Brands

Gauteng’s vibrant economy is powered in no small part by dynamic women entrepreneurs who are reshaping the food, fashion, and beauty industries. They do so with their creativity, resilience, and business acumen. These women-led brands not only contribute significantly to the region’s economic growth but also showcase South Africa’s cultural richness and innovative spirit. They do this on local and international stages.

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Why Supporting Women-Owned Brands Matters

Supporting women-owned brands is not only a matter of economic fairness but also a powerful driver of inclusive growth and social transformation. Women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to job creation, poverty reduction, and community development. They often reinvest a larger share of their income back into their families and local economies.

Empowering Women

Research shows that empowering women business owners leads to more diversified innovation and resilience in markets. Women-led companies frequently address gaps in products and services that are overlooked by traditional players. This fosters creativity that benefits entire communities. Supporting these brands amplifies women’s voices in the economy and encourages a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunity.

Furthermore, consumers who actively choose women-owned businesses help challenge lingering stereotypes about gender roles in business and leadership. This paves the way for future generations of women to rise confidently in diverse sectors.

Gender Disparities in Entrepreneurship

Despite their growing influence, women entrepreneurs face persistent disparities that hinder equal participation. Common barriers include limited access to finance, greater difficulty securing loans, and lower levels of collateral ownership compared to men. These financial constraints restrict women’s ability to scale their businesses and compete on equal footing.

The Hurdles

Women also encounter social and cultural biases that can impact their credibility and networking opportunities. Balancing domestic responsibilities with business demands adds additional pressure, particularly in contexts where caregiving roles disproportionately fall on women.

Moreover, women are underrepresented in sectors traditionally dominated by men, such as technology and manufacturing. This is partly due to limited mentorship and education opportunities tailored to their needs.

Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions, such as mentorship programmes, gender-responsive financing solutions, and policy reforms. These are needed to create an enabling environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive sustainably and equally.

Women Leading the Food Revolution

In Gauteng’s dynamic food sector, women entrepreneurs are driving innovation by blending cultural authenticity with modern culinary trends. Among these trailblazers is Tshepiso Sibisi, founder of Mwari Pizza House, an emerging local favorite in Pretoria. It is known for its artisanal pizzas and commitment to community upliftment.

To celebrate Mandela Day 2023, 22 On Sloane and African Bank collaborated to support female entrepreneurs. Tshepiso, a participant in African Bank’s female entrepreneurship programme, launched Mwari Pizza House in 2018 after extensive market research conducted in her garage.

Her achievements include grant funding from the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller. She also received awards from SABC SMME Pitch Competition and QWB+ Allies Pitch. Tshepiso successfully refurbished her business premises with support from African Bank. Her story exemplifies resilience and innovation. It highlights the pivotal role of entrepreneurship programmes in overcoming market and funding barriers faced by small businesses.

Fashion Innovators Shaping Style

The fashion industry in Gauteng is experiencing a surge of women-owned labels redefining African style through Afrocentric designs, ethical sourcing, and inclusive sizing. Leading this charge is Palesa Mokubung, founder of Mantsho. It is the first African design house to collaborate with global giant H&M in 2018, bringing South African fashion to stores worldwide.

Palesa, often called “the African trend dictator,” holds a Bachelor of Arts in fashion design. She is renowned for her unique prints and textiles that showcase African finesse. Mantsho’s designs balance comfort and sophistication. They have graced prestigious runways at South African Fashion Week and the BRICS Fashion Show.

Beyond design, Palesa is dedicated to empowering young designers, mentoring talents from underrepresented regions, and expanding Mantsho’s brand. Her expansions include lifestyle products like furniture and home décor. Her accolades include the Lifetime Achievement Award at Free State Fashion Week, GQ Best Dressed award, and recognition at the Carol Bouwer Mbokodo Awards. This underscores her status as a fashion icon and role model.

Beauty Brands with a Purpose

In the beauty sector, Mbali Sebapu, Founder and CEO of Hermosa Flor Cosmetics, represents the power of authentic African brands shaping the industry. Originating from Soshanguve, Mbali transitioned from a decade-long military career to entrepreneurship. She built a cosmetics brand that uplifts women and supports local economies.

Mbali’s meticulous approach to product development and marketing led to remarkable sales success. She notably achieved R100,000 in the first hour of launching the Lily Collection. As a prominent beauty content creator with over 388,000 followers, she uses her platform to mentor aspiring African entrepreneurs.

Her ethos centers on passion, perseverance, and relationship-building with customers. This fosters a loyal community she calls the “HERMOSA Flor Family.” Mbali is committed to inspiring young black women to pursue their dreams. She gives back through discreet community outreach projects that provide hope and support.

Trailblazers

Together, these women exemplify Gauteng’s entrepreneurial spirit. They transform tradition into innovation, nurture communities, and elevate South Africa’s cultural heritage on the global stage. Their journeys highlight the importance of mentorship, access to funding, and collaborative support in driving sustainable growth for women-led businesses.