August marks Women’s Month in South Africa, a perfect time to celebrate and support women entrepreneurs who are shaping the local economy. Supporting women-owned brands uplifts communities, showcases unique South African creativity, and fuels economic empowerment. From fashion and skincare to wellness and artisan goods, these inspiring brands are driven by powerful South African women creating quality, innovative products designed for the modern consumer.
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Here are 15 women-owned South African brands leading the way this Women’s Month. Discover their stories, products, and why supporting them matters.
1. swiitchbeauty®: Empowering South African Beauty by Rabia Ghoor
Rabia Ghoor, the young and driven founder of swiitchbeauty®, started her beauty brand journey at just fourteen years old. What began in a modest 4-square-metre space in her bedroom at 14, blossomed into a South African beauty label known for affordable, high-quality makeup and skincare. Rabia personally develops and tests every product, ensuring they are effective, easy to use, and tailored to South African consumers. Her passion and authenticity make swiitchbeauty® a standout example of local innovation and empowerment.
2. Mathebe Molise: The Skin Specialist and Beauty Innovator
Mathebe Molise is the founder and CEO of Beauty on TApp, Pastry Skincare, and B’air Skincare. As a qualified Chartered Accountant and former banking professional, she launched Beauty on TApp in 2015, evolving the business into a leading e-commerce platform for beauty and self-care products. Mathebe was named a future wealth creator by Forbes Africa and is shaping African beauty by empowering local brands and pioneering accessible retail experiences.
3. Leebex: Celebrating Curves with Fashion Forward Style
Founded in 2016 by Rebecca Garande and Lesego Legobane (aka Thickleeyonce), LeeBex Boutique transitioned from an online store to a popular physical retail location in Melville, Johannesburg. The brand specialises in plus size women’s fashion that is stylish, on trend, and affordable, with a mission to inspire women to love their bodies and feel confident.
4. House of BNG: Premium, Luxurious, and Timeless Taste of Africa
Launched by media personality Bonang Matheba in 2019, House of BNG is her luxury beverage brand offering Méthode Cap Classiques (MCCs), including Brut and Brut Rosé varieties. Celebrated for quality and elegance, the brand is Bonang’s tribute to African celebration culture, made from Cape grapes with expert blending. It continues to innovate with new sparkling wine products in cans and maintains a strong presence at major South African events.
5. Thabooty’s Underwear & Shapewear: Redefining Confidence by Thando Thabethe
Founded by media personality Thando Thabethe, Thabooty’s creates lingerie and shapewear designed to empower women with confidence and comfort. Recently selected to design swimwear for the Miss South Africa pageant, this brand symbolizes unapologetic self-love and elevates the standards of women’s intimate apparel locally.
6. Sellé Jewellery: Painless Beauty and Empowerment by Candice Modiselle
Sellé Jewellery, founded by media personality Candice Modiselle in 2021, offers stylish jewellery that does not require piercings, providing pain-free fashion accessories. Growing rapidly within South Africa and neighbouring countries, Sellé Jewellery blends accessibility, creativity, and empowerment, creating luxury products that celebrate individuality.
7. Onezwa Mbola: Celebrated Food Content Creator Behind eMandulo Sauces
Onezwa Mbola is a South African food content creator known for her rural lifestyle and handmade food brand eMandulo. She gained recognition through her appearance on MasterChef South Africa and for her dedication to cooking dishes from scratch. Known for using foraged or locally grown produce, incorporating influences from her time in China. Her eMandulo range features artisanal sauces and condiments such as guava BBQ sauce, green tomato chutney, chili jam, jalapeño-apple hot sauce “Green Juice,” garlic salt, and peri-peri hot sauce “African Prince.” Onezwa’s brand blends authentic, locally inspired flavors… With a passion for handmade quality, championing South African culinary heritage and creative entrepreneurship.
8. Colleen Higgs: Championing Women’s Voices through Modjaji Books
Colleen Higgs, a South African writer and publisher, founded Modjaji Books in 2007, an independent press dedicated to publishing Southern African women’s writing. Modjaji Books has nurtured local literary talent and elevated women’s voices through poetry, fiction, and memoirs, contributing significantly to South Africa’s cultural richness.
9. LELIVE: Conscious, High-Performance Skincare by Amanda du-Pont
The conscious brand blends African botanicals like marula, baobab, and mongongo with dermatologist-approved science. LELIVE is a skin care brand founded by actress and entrepreneur Amanda du-Pont in 2021. Developed with community input, LELIVE delivers potent skin care while celebrating African heritage and embracing sustainability.
10. The Amani Project: Creating Safe Spaces for Mental Wellbeing
Founded by Thando and Linda, The Amani Project fosters mental health through accessible movement and mindfulness practices, including yoga, breathwork, and meditation. Hosting community sessions like Yoga & Breakfast in Rosebank, Amani creates nurturing spaces that promote healing, connection, and mental wellness.
11. BT Signature: Bold Sparkling Beverages by Boity Thulo
Boity Thulo, South African media personality and entrepreneur, co-created BT Signature, a range of lightly sparkling alcoholic and non-alcoholic fruit beverages. BT Signature offers stylish, bold drinks crafted for discerning tastes, celebrating African culture and confident choice-making.
12. FlutterByLKG: Luxury Beauty and Empowerment by Lerato Kganyago
FlutterByLKG, owned by award-winning media personality Lerato Kganyago, specialises in luxury beauty products such as sanitary pads and mink eyelash extensions. The brand is built on empowering women and community upliftment. The brand delivers high-quality cosmetics combined with a mission to inspire women across South Africa.
13. OhLay Hair: Naturally Promoting Hair Growth and Health by Lesego Rabothata
OhLay Hair, founded by environmental scientist Lesego Rabothata in 2020, is a proudly South African hair-care brand that promotes natural hair growth and health. Driven by science and passion, OhLay Hair offers effective, environmentally conscious solutions tailored to diverse hair textures and needs.
14. Londie London x Afrotex: Revolutionising Hair Care and Style
Londie London, a singer and media personality, has partnered with Afrotex to create the Londie London Braid, a 100-inch, tangle-free, hot water-friendly hair extension rapidly gaining popularity. Their collaboration includes creative marketing and a hairstylist competition, celebrating Black beauty and empowering hair professionals nationally.
15. Akandi: Innovative Office Furniture by Reabetswe Moabi
Founded by youth entrepreneur Reabetswe Moabi in 2018, Akandi is a 100% Black Female Owned office furniture company. The company is based in Centurion, Gauteng. Akandi supplies diverse workstation styles tailored to client needs, focusing on locally sourced products and sustainable, stylish office solutions supporting business growth across South Africa.
Discover how this trailblazing entrepreneur is transforming wellness in Gauteng, one client at a time. Meet Nomsa Molefi – Director of Victory Day Spa and Wellness Industry Leader. Tap to be inspired!
Celebrating Women’s Month by Supporting Local Women Entrepreneurs
Women’s Month is more than a celebration. It’s an opportunity to authentically support and uplift the incredible women-led businesses driving South Africa’s economy forward. By choosing these local brands, you invest in female entrepreneurship, community empowerment, inclusivity, and innovation. This Women’s Month, shop consciously and stand with these dynamic women shaping the future across beauty, fashion, wellness, and lifestyle sectors.
