Women’s Month is an important calendar month in South Africa. As we commemorate the women of 1956, we believe it is as important to spotlight the women of today that are pioneering in their various fields and industries.
Our Moziak Women’s Month Portrait Series takes a look at 15 such pioneers through the lens of editorial and advertising photographer, George Qua-Enoo.
VALENTINE GAUDIN-MUTEBA
Managing Director of Media Sales & Operations at TRACE Southern Africa, Valentine plays a pivot role in ensuring that TRACE remains a relevant mouthpiece for the expression of Afro Urban talent across its many business verticals.
Valentine is positioned as one of the most influential women behind the scenes in the Southern African music scene and her work in this highly male dominated industry hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Under Valentine’s leadership, TRACE Urban continues to be the Coolest TV & Music Channel in South Africa – taking home a Sunday Times Generation Next award this year.
Founder of WAL Jewellery, Valentine designs jewellery inspired by numerous things such as music, art, travel, and most importantly by passionate and brave women she’s met.
PRECIOUS XABA
Qualified in somatology, health and skin care therapy, beauty therapy and as a make-up artist, Precious Xaba has raised the bar in the beauty industry with what to expect from your make-up artist.
Famously known as a celebrity make-up artist, Precious’ advocacy that one must get the proper qualifications to run a business in this industry, put’s her a step ahead.
With repeat business from a loyal client base, Precious’ portfolio of work includes some of the biggest names in the show business such as Connie Ferguson, Minnie Dlamini, Dineo Moeketsi, Boity, Enhle Mbali, LootLove, Jessica Nkosi and Thando Thabethe just to highlight a few.
JENNIFER BALA
Jennifer Bala has an impressive corporate resume both locally and in the UK under her belt.
As impressive as her corporate tenure was, Jennifer Bala has made a significant impact with brands through her entrepreneurial endeavours and as a manager, momager, content curator and connector.
Co-founder of Loyiso Music, Jennifer has grown the business into a successful brand and company and has been instrumental in diversifying the company’s service offering and creating and managing philanthropic opportunities with Cotlands, Afrika Tikkun, Field Band Foundation, Smile Foundation and UNAids.
Jennifer’s ability as a connector brought about the collaboration with Pearl Thusi and AfroBotanics to launch ‘Black Pearl Hair’ products – a thriving and fruitful collaboration for both parties to date.
In recent years, Jennifer has become well versed in content creation and is considered an ‘influencer’ due to her momager role in building her family brand.
ELLE FRANCO
With a BA Psychology Degree and an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology, TV presenter, commercial model, producer, and script writer, Elle Franco’s, transition to the media and entertainment industry was one fuelled by innate talent and passion.
Elle’s interest in the mindfulness of people has put her ahead with her consideration of people on set and her audiences and has helped her find her niche in the market that has built the brand we know today – “DIYwithElle”.
One cannot think of a personality in South Africa that is strongly tied to DIY without Elle’s name coming up.
A co-presenter on the TV show, Home Made Easy, Elle’s DIY brand also lives offline with her blog and appearances in the décor and DIY spaces – largely driven by Elle taking action to master the various DIY tips and not just leave her ability on screen.
The multi-talented media personality also brings her mindfulness to other causes and supports organisations such as SHOUT SA and the SPCA.
NAMBITHA BEN-MAZWI
Well known as a local (Broken Vows, scandal, Diamond City) and international (Black Mirror, Madiba) actress, MC, radio and TV presenter, as well as a philanthropist, Nambitha is well-loved media personality in South Africa.
What most people don’t know is this media darling is building a media empire as an entrepreneur, nambithaBM Media, which she was recently award for as a Top 5 finalist at the Accenture Rising Star Awards 2019 in the entrepreneur category.
Very conscious about her brand and long-term goals, Nambitha has been making moves in silence that big corporations are now paying attention to.
With a UCT Business Science Honours background, Nambitha is using her business acumen to position herself as a viable business using the arts as the foundation.
Having built her career from the ground up through an unconventional journey, Nambitha is challenging the mould of how a career and business in the arts should look like.
