Influence today goes far beyond beauty, fashion and lifestyle. It's the woman making you want to try a new recipe, the artist whose work you can't stop scrolling past, the gamer building a community, the journalist making current affairs easier to understand, or the entrepreneur making money conversations feel a little less intimidating.
That's exactly what we love about the creator space. There are so many women doing interesting things online, often in completely different corners of the internet, and we wanted to put a few of our favourites on your radar this Women's Month.
These are some of the women we’ve either had the privilege of working with, creators our team follows in their own personal capacity, or women we’ve got firmly on our radar and hope to work with in the near future.
If glowing skin and beauty content are your thing, Sinenkosi is one to have on your radar. From skincare and self-care to lifestyle and beauty tips, she has a way of making beauty content feel fun and easy to get into. There’s a lot of personality in what she creates, which is probably why you can find yourself watching one video and suddenly scrolling through the rest of her page.
She’s also no stranger to the beauty space, having worked with brands including Lancôme, Garnier South Africa and Dolly Varden. What stands out, though, is how naturally she brings these partnerships into the kind of content her audience already loves and follows her for.
Minenhle Ntanzi brings fashion, lifestyle and beauty to her page, with plenty of makeup looks in between. Her content has a fun, easygoing feel to it, especially when it comes to makeup. She plays around with different looks and products, and there’s something very natural about the way she shares them. Nothing feels too serious, and there’s always a sense that she’s having fun with what she creates.
She’s also worked with brands including Dove, Maybelline, CeraVe and Catrice, but beauty remains very much at the centre of what she does online.
At the heart of her content is a genuine love for playing around with beauty and seeing what works, and that’s what makes her content enjoyable.
Curly girls, this one's for you.
Irene da Fonseca is the woman behind “The Zhoosh Cut”, a Joburg based curl specialist and salon created with naturally curly hair at its heart.
After years of navigating the pressure to straighten and “tame” her own curls, Irene immersed herself in the world of curly hair and built her expertise around helping others embrace their natural texture. The Zhoosh Cut has since become known for its curl focused approach and education.
Her work has also received international recognition, having entered the One Shot Hair Awards in the Cut Transformation category and placed in the top 5 for three consecutive years - an incredible achievement given the scale of the competition.
The Zhoosh Cut is all about embracing your natural texture, walking with your head held high and letting those curls shine!
The phrase “I’ll start working out on Monday” has been said one too many times. Hannah Cragg might just be the motivation you need to actually follow through.
Hannah is the founder of Hannah Habits, a movement and wellness community built around Pilates, yoga, events and creating spaces for people to move together. Growing up neurodiverse, she has spoken about how movement became a way for her to regulate her nervous system, reconnect with her body and bring some structure into her day.
She has also grown into an offline community, with Hannah hosting Pilates Sculpt experiences in Cape Town, including collaborations and events at venues such as Cabo Beach and Starbucks Sea Point.
For anyone who needs a reminder that wellness doesn't have to be intimidating, Hannah is your girl.
Megan Kate Swan is a classically trained private chef, spending more than a decade cooking for families and clients around the world. Her content blends food, travel, hosting, restaurants and the rituals that make everyday life feel a little more special. Her “come to work with me” vlogs are a particular favourite, giving you a little behind-the-scenes look at what goes on when your job involves making incredible food. Through Swan's Kitchen, Megan shares everything from glimpses into private kitchens to recipes, hosting inspiration and her favourite food discoveries. She’s also worked with brands such as Woolworths, bringing that same fun, easy going energy into her partnerships.
Anica’s music journey started from posting covers to eventually releasing music independently, finally catching the attention of Locnville, who featured her on their album before signing her to their label.
Since then, Anica has been figuring out what kind of artist she wants to be. She’s spoken openly about how difficult it can be to build a career in pop within a South African music scene largely dominated by amapiano, while also finding a community of listeners who connect with what she makes.
She's also recently been nominated for the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), so clearly we're not the only ones taking notice. She's the kind of creator who knows how to keep things entertaining while still making her content feel true to her.
Naledi Modupi is an illustrator and multidisciplinary artist whose work is impossible to scroll past.
Her colourful portraits explore identity, beauty, femininity and culture, often drawing inspiration from women within her family and community. Her practice spans digital illustration as well as traditional techniques and materials, including textiles and embroidery.
Naledi's work has been recognised both locally and internationally, and she has worked with brands and creative platforms including Golden Acrylics, for whom she created commissioned artwork.
Her work is more than visually striking, it is a celebration of black women, culture and self expression.
Money conversations don't have to be overwhelming, that's exactly where creators like Just Jess Journals come in.
This is a page worth having on your radar if you're trying to become more intentional about your money, with content centred around making financial conversations more accessible, relatable and digestible.
Just Jess Journals represents the growing space of South African creators making financial literacy part of everyday social content. For brands operating in finance, banking, fintech or personal development, creators in this space offer something particularly valuable: an audience that is actively looking to learn.
Angelina Senoge has created a platform that makes conversations around money, business and financial literacy feel a lot more accessible, especially for young South Africans.
Launched in 2023, TheMoneySpace101 focuses on personal and business finance, particularly helping students, young professionals and everyday South Africans become more confident when it comes to saving, budgeting and investing. The platform has since expanded its content into business finance, entrepreneurship and investment conversations. She's taken those conversations beyond social media as well, featuring in interviews with YOUFM 898, Bush Radio and VOW FM, giving Angelina a platform to share her insights with audiences beyond her own community.
Angelina has also collaborated with brands including Axi and Sage, using her platform to bring financial education into relevant brand conversations.
Her work is a great example of what influence can look like when it goes beyond simply selling something, using a platform to help people better understand their finances and make more informed decisions.
Want to travel more without completely wrecking your bank account?
Zandi brings travel and lifestyle content to her audience with a practical twist. She shares how she manages her money, what she thinks is worth spending on and what trips really cost, giving her audience the kind of information that makes you want to start planning your next trip and checking your bank balance.
Her content is a great mix of inspiration and real-life advice. Seeing the destination is one thing, but knowing how much it's actually going to cost you is another.
For travel, financial and lifestyle brands looking to work with a creator who can make their offering feel useful, relatable and genuinely worth talking about, Zandi is definitely one to have on your radar.
Gaming is no longer a niche corner of the internet, and creators like Jordie are helping prove exactly why.
Through @sociallyjordie, Jordie brings her personality into the gaming space, creating content for an audience that loves entertainment, gaming and digital culture.
It's also a great example of why brands shouldn't overlook creators outside the traditional beauty, fashion and lifestyle categories. Gaming communities are highly engaged, and creators who genuinely understand the space can make brand partnerships feel far more authentic.
For creators, she's definitely one to follow for a little creative content inspo, and for brands wanting to tap into gaming and entertainment without taking things too seriously, Jordie is one to watch.
Tech content doesn't have to be intimidating, Pelontle Buthelezi is helping make conversations around technology, digital careers and innovation more accessible.
Pelontle is all about women in tech, not only sharing her own journey and insights, but also spotlighting other women in the space. So if you give Pelontle a follow, you're not just discovering one creator, you're opening the door to a whole community of women doing some seriously cool things in tech.
For brands looking to connect with the tech industry or showcase the women shaping it, Pelontle is definitely one to know.
Automotive content is traditionally a male-dominated corner of social media, which makes women creating confidently within the space even more exciting.
She’s been bringing her own take to the automotive space, recently sharing a full review of a GWM vehicle and giving her audience the kind of content that goes beyond simply showing off a car.
She’s also taken the conversation beyond her own platforms, recently chatting with WesBank South Africa, and has partnered with NakedCover SA, showing just how naturally automotive content can cross over into the wider lifestyle and finance space.
Consider this your reminder that there is a whole new generation of women changing what automotive content can look like.
Mia De Lange, the creator behind LooksByLange, brings fashion and visual storytelling together with a distinctly modern perspective.
Her journey spans marketing, fashion and creative content, with experience ranging from an internship at Style Rotate to roles within marketing and finance, all while continuing to build LooksByLange.
She's also set to take her fashion knowledge even further, having been accepted to pursue an MBA in Fashion & Luxury Marketing at IFA Paris.
For Mia, fashion isn't simply about getting dressed, it's about brand building, creativity and understanding the business behind the aesthetic.
When it comes to creating a look, styling can be just as influential as the clothes themselves.
Katt Gordana is a stylist to have on your radar for her ability to bring a strong creative perspective to fashion and personal style.
Her work demonstrates the importance of the people behind the scenes who help shape how campaigns, personalities and fashion moments come together.
For brands, stylists are often an overlooked part of the creator ecosystem, but the right stylist can influence everything from visual direction to the final story a campaign tells.
Tina Ngxokolo is the designer and founder behind Imbola, a fashion brand rooted deeply in Xhosa heritage.
Her work takes traditional Mbhaco and Isikhakha influences and reinterprets them through contemporary ready-to-wear fashion. The result is clothing that feels deeply connected to culture while still being made for today's wardrobe.
This year, Tina launched a new Imbola ready-to-wear collection featuring everything from dresses and skirts to tracksuits, bags, headwear and accessories. Her work has also been spotlighted by Top Billing, where she spoke about her vision of taking traditionally inspired African fashion to a global audience.
It's heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary design, all in one.
If you've ever wanted to understand current affairs without feeling like you're sitting through a three-hour lecture, meet Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa.
Better known online as Jaxx of All Trades, Amahle has built a platform around breaking down current affairs, politics, culture, power and pop culture for a younger audience.
Her content has earned attention from platforms including TikTok, which featured her as part of its Women of TikTok celebration, recognising her insightful takes on life, culture, politics and identity.
She has also taken the conversation beyond short-form content with the Jaxx of All Trades podcast, exploring everything from politics and global affairs to business and the digital world.
Her content is a refreshing reminder that influence can be about sparking curiosity just as much as it is about capturing attention.
Tamar Moross is putting her talent centre stage as part of Cape Town City Ballet, where she is listed among the company's Artists.
Her work is a reminder that creator influence extends far beyond social media. Dancers, performers and artists are creators too - using movement and performance to connect with audiences in completely different ways - because sometimes influence isn’t always about being heard; it’s about making people feel something.
For anyone interested in dance, performance, culture and the arts, Tamar is one to keep an eye on as she continues her journey with Cape Town City Ballet.
Anarzade has built a seriously engaged community around something we can all relate to.
Her content is high-quality without ever feeling too polished or forced, and she has a knack for making even everyday lifestyle content feel fun and engaging. It’s exactly why she’s become a creator we keep coming back to for both content inspo and campaigns.
We’ve also had the pleasure of partnering with Anarzade across a few campaigns, including Woolworths Beauty and Batiste, and she always brings her own creative spin to the brief.
Whether you’re a brand manager looking for a creator who can bring a campaign to life in a true unique way or a fellow creator looking for some fresh inspo, Anarzade is definitely worth the follow.
Technically this one's a duo, but we couldn't leave them out.
Zama Marubelela and Landiwe “Landzy” Gama are the women behind Because We Said So, a podcast that has become a favourite for South African listeners looking for honest, funny and very relatable conversations about girlhood and growing up.
The duo cover everything from friendships and relationships to careers, travel and the general chaos of figuring life out in your twenties.
With a growing catalogue of episodes and a seriously loyal audience, BWSS is a great example of the power of two people simply having the conversations their audience wants to hear.
Follow for the unfiltered girl chat you didn't know you needed.
What we love most about this list is just how different these women are.
They're artists, entrepreneurs, journalists, athletes, stylists, musicians, gamers, designers, beauty creators and storytellers - proving that there is no single way to be an influential woman , whether online or beyond the screen. For brands, that's an important takeaway.
The best creator partnerships are about finding someone whose audience, personality, expertise and creative style genuinely align with what you're trying to achieve.
So whether you're discovering your new favourite creator, looking for inspiration or searching for your next campaign partner, save this list, send it to a friend and go give these women a follow.
These 20 women are just the beginning. If you're a South African female creator doing amazing things and somehow still not on our radar… we want to know about you! At People Have Influence, our search for women with influence never stops.
If it involves people, we are your people. Looking to collaborate with us? Join us here
Found this blog interesting? Then, you may want to read these as well.
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Influence today goes far beyond beauty, fashion and lifestyle. It's the woman making you want to try a new recipe, the artist whose work you can't stop scrolling past, the gamer building a community, the journalist making current affairs easier to understand, or the entrepreneur making money conversations feel a little less intimidating.
That's exactly what we love about the creator space. There are so many women doing interesting things online, often in completely different corners of the internet, and we wanted to put a few of our favourites on your radar this Women's Month.
These are some of the women we’ve either had the privilege of working with, creators our team follows in their own personal capacity, or women we’ve got firmly on our radar and hope to work with in the near future.
If glowing skin and beauty content are your thing, Sinenkosi is one to have on your radar. From skincare and self-care to lifestyle and beauty tips, she has a way of making beauty content feel fun and easy to get into. There’s a lot of personality in what she creates, which is probably why you can find yourself watching one video and suddenly scrolling through the rest of her page.
She’s also no stranger to the beauty space, having worked with brands including Lancôme, Garnier South Africa and Dolly Varden. What stands out, though, is how naturally she brings these partnerships into the kind of content her audience already loves and follows her for.
Minenhle Ntanzi brings fashion, lifestyle and beauty to her page, with plenty of makeup looks in between. Her content has a fun, easygoing feel to it, especially when it comes to makeup. She plays around with different looks and products, and there’s something very natural about the way she shares them. Nothing feels too serious, and there’s always a sense that she’s having fun with what she creates.
She’s also worked with brands including Dove, Maybelline, CeraVe and Catrice, but beauty remains very much at the centre of what she does online.
At the heart of her content is a genuine love for playing around with beauty and seeing what works, and that’s what makes her content enjoyable.
Curly girls, this one's for you.
Irene da Fonseca is the woman behind “The Zhoosh Cut”, a Joburg based curl specialist and salon created with naturally curly hair at its heart.
After years of navigating the pressure to straighten and “tame” her own curls, Irene immersed herself in the world of curly hair and built her expertise around helping others embrace their natural texture. The Zhoosh Cut has since become known for its curl focused approach and education.
Her work has also received international recognition, having entered the One Shot Hair Awards in the Cut Transformation category and placed in the top 5 for three consecutive years - an incredible achievement given the scale of the competition.
The Zhoosh Cut is all about embracing your natural texture, walking with your head held high and letting those curls shine!
The phrase “I’ll start working out on Monday” has been said one too many times. Hannah Cragg might just be the motivation you need to actually follow through.
Hannah is the founder of Hannah Habits, a movement and wellness community built around Pilates, yoga, events and creating spaces for people to move together. Growing up neurodiverse, she has spoken about how movement became a way for her to regulate her nervous system, reconnect with her body and bring some structure into her day.
She has also grown into an offline community, with Hannah hosting Pilates Sculpt experiences in Cape Town, including collaborations and events at venues such as Cabo Beach and Starbucks Sea Point.
For anyone who needs a reminder that wellness doesn't have to be intimidating, Hannah is your girl.
Megan Kate Swan is a classically trained private chef, spending more than a decade cooking for families and clients around the world. Her content blends food, travel, hosting, restaurants and the rituals that make everyday life feel a little more special. Her “come to work with me” vlogs are a particular favourite, giving you a little behind-the-scenes look at what goes on when your job involves making incredible food. Through Swan's Kitchen, Megan shares everything from glimpses into private kitchens to recipes, hosting inspiration and her favourite food discoveries. She’s also worked with brands such as Woolworths, bringing that same fun, easy going energy into her partnerships.
Anica’s music journey started from posting covers to eventually releasing music independently, finally catching the attention of Locnville, who featured her on their album before signing her to their label.
Since then, Anica has been figuring out what kind of artist she wants to be. She’s spoken openly about how difficult it can be to build a career in pop within a South African music scene largely dominated by amapiano, while also finding a community of listeners who connect with what she makes.
She's also recently been nominated for the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), so clearly we're not the only ones taking notice. She's the kind of creator who knows how to keep things entertaining while still making her content feel true to her.
Naledi Modupi is an illustrator and multidisciplinary artist whose work is impossible to scroll past.
Her colourful portraits explore identity, beauty, femininity and culture, often drawing inspiration from women within her family and community. Her practice spans digital illustration as well as traditional techniques and materials, including textiles and embroidery.
Naledi's work has been recognised both locally and internationally, and she has worked with brands and creative platforms including Golden Acrylics, for whom she created commissioned artwork.
Her work is more than visually striking, it is a celebration of black women, culture and self expression.
Money conversations don't have to be overwhelming, that's exactly where creators like Just Jess Journals come in.
This is a page worth having on your radar if you're trying to become more intentional about your money, with content centred around making financial conversations more accessible, relatable and digestible.
Just Jess Journals represents the growing space of South African creators making financial literacy part of everyday social content. For brands operating in finance, banking, fintech or personal development, creators in this space offer something particularly valuable: an audience that is actively looking to learn.
Angelina Senoge has created a platform that makes conversations around money, business and financial literacy feel a lot more accessible, especially for young South Africans.
Launched in 2023, TheMoneySpace101 focuses on personal and business finance, particularly helping students, young professionals and everyday South Africans become more confident when it comes to saving, budgeting and investing. The platform has since expanded its content into business finance, entrepreneurship and investment conversations. She's taken those conversations beyond social media as well, featuring in interviews with YOUFM 898, Bush Radio and VOW FM, giving Angelina a platform to share her insights with audiences beyond her own community.
Angelina has also collaborated with brands including Axi and Sage, using her platform to bring financial education into relevant brand conversations.
Her work is a great example of what influence can look like when it goes beyond simply selling something, using a platform to help people better understand their finances and make more informed decisions.
Want to travel more without completely wrecking your bank account?
Zandi brings travel and lifestyle content to her audience with a practical twist. She shares how she manages her money, what she thinks is worth spending on and what trips really cost, giving her audience the kind of information that makes you want to start planning your next trip and checking your bank balance.
Her content is a great mix of inspiration and real-life advice. Seeing the destination is one thing, but knowing how much it's actually going to cost you is another.
For travel, financial and lifestyle brands looking to work with a creator who can make their offering feel useful, relatable and genuinely worth talking about, Zandi is definitely one to have on your radar.
Gaming is no longer a niche corner of the internet, and creators like Jordie are helping prove exactly why.
Through @sociallyjordie, Jordie brings her personality into the gaming space, creating content for an audience that loves entertainment, gaming and digital culture.
It's also a great example of why brands shouldn't overlook creators outside the traditional beauty, fashion and lifestyle categories. Gaming communities are highly engaged, and creators who genuinely understand the space can make brand partnerships feel far more authentic.
For creators, she's definitely one to follow for a little creative content inspo, and for brands wanting to tap into gaming and entertainment without taking things too seriously, Jordie is one to watch.
Tech content doesn't have to be intimidating, Pelontle Buthelezi is helping make conversations around technology, digital careers and innovation more accessible.
Pelontle is all about women in tech, not only sharing her own journey and insights, but also spotlighting other women in the space. So if you give Pelontle a follow, you're not just discovering one creator, you're opening the door to a whole community of women doing some seriously cool things in tech.
For brands looking to connect with the tech industry or showcase the women shaping it, Pelontle is definitely one to know.
Automotive content is traditionally a male-dominated corner of social media, which makes women creating confidently within the space even more exciting.
She’s been bringing her own take to the automotive space, recently sharing a full review of a GWM vehicle and giving her audience the kind of content that goes beyond simply showing off a car.
She’s also taken the conversation beyond her own platforms, recently chatting with WesBank South Africa, and has partnered with NakedCover SA, showing just how naturally automotive content can cross over into the wider lifestyle and finance space.
Consider this your reminder that there is a whole new generation of women changing what automotive content can look like.
Mia De Lange, the creator behind LooksByLange, brings fashion and visual storytelling together with a distinctly modern perspective.
Her journey spans marketing, fashion and creative content, with experience ranging from an internship at Style Rotate to roles within marketing and finance, all while continuing to build LooksByLange.
She's also set to take her fashion knowledge even further, having been accepted to pursue an MBA in Fashion & Luxury Marketing at IFA Paris.
For Mia, fashion isn't simply about getting dressed, it's about brand building, creativity and understanding the business behind the aesthetic.
When it comes to creating a look, styling can be just as influential as the clothes themselves.
Katt Gordana is a stylist to have on your radar for her ability to bring a strong creative perspective to fashion and personal style.
Her work demonstrates the importance of the people behind the scenes who help shape how campaigns, personalities and fashion moments come together.
For brands, stylists are often an overlooked part of the creator ecosystem, but the right stylist can influence everything from visual direction to the final story a campaign tells.
Tina Ngxokolo is the designer and founder behind Imbola, a fashion brand rooted deeply in Xhosa heritage.
Her work takes traditional Mbhaco and Isikhakha influences and reinterprets them through contemporary ready-to-wear fashion. The result is clothing that feels deeply connected to culture while still being made for today's wardrobe.
This year, Tina launched a new Imbola ready-to-wear collection featuring everything from dresses and skirts to tracksuits, bags, headwear and accessories. Her work has also been spotlighted by Top Billing, where she spoke about her vision of taking traditionally inspired African fashion to a global audience.
It's heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary design, all in one.
If you've ever wanted to understand current affairs without feeling like you're sitting through a three-hour lecture, meet Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa.
Better known online as Jaxx of All Trades, Amahle has built a platform around breaking down current affairs, politics, culture, power and pop culture for a younger audience.
Her content has earned attention from platforms including TikTok, which featured her as part of its Women of TikTok celebration, recognising her insightful takes on life, culture, politics and identity.
She has also taken the conversation beyond short-form content with the Jaxx of All Trades podcast, exploring everything from politics and global affairs to business and the digital world.
Her content is a refreshing reminder that influence can be about sparking curiosity just as much as it is about capturing attention.
Tamar Moross is putting her talent centre stage as part of Cape Town City Ballet, where she is listed among the company's Artists.
Her work is a reminder that creator influence extends far beyond social media. Dancers, performers and artists are creators too - using movement and performance to connect with audiences in completely different ways - because sometimes influence isn’t always about being heard; it’s about making people feel something.
For anyone interested in dance, performance, culture and the arts, Tamar is one to keep an eye on as she continues her journey with Cape Town City Ballet.
Anarzade has built a seriously engaged community around something we can all relate to.
Her content is high-quality without ever feeling too polished or forced, and she has a knack for making even everyday lifestyle content feel fun and engaging. It’s exactly why she’s become a creator we keep coming back to for both content inspo and campaigns.
We’ve also had the pleasure of partnering with Anarzade across a few campaigns, including Woolworths Beauty and Batiste, and she always brings her own creative spin to the brief.
Whether you’re a brand manager looking for a creator who can bring a campaign to life in a true unique way or a fellow creator looking for some fresh inspo, Anarzade is definitely worth the follow.
Technically this one's a duo, but we couldn't leave them out.
Zama Marubelela and Landiwe “Landzy” Gama are the women behind Because We Said So, a podcast that has become a favourite for South African listeners looking for honest, funny and very relatable conversations about girlhood and growing up.
The duo cover everything from friendships and relationships to careers, travel and the general chaos of figuring life out in your twenties.
With a growing catalogue of episodes and a seriously loyal audience, BWSS is a great example of the power of two people simply having the conversations their audience wants to hear.
Follow for the unfiltered girl chat you didn't know you needed.
What we love most about this list is just how different these women are.
They're artists, entrepreneurs, journalists, athletes, stylists, musicians, gamers, designers, beauty creators and storytellers - proving that there is no single way to be an influential woman , whether online or beyond the screen. For brands, that's an important takeaway.
The best creator partnerships are about finding someone whose audience, personality, expertise and creative style genuinely align with what you're trying to achieve.
So whether you're discovering your new favourite creator, looking for inspiration or searching for your next campaign partner, save this list, send it to a friend and go give these women a follow.
These 20 women are just the beginning. If you're a South African female creator doing amazing things and somehow still not on our radar… we want to know about you! At People Have Influence, our search for women with influence never stops.
If it involves people, we are your people. Looking to collaborate with us? Join us here
Found this blog interesting? Then, you may want to read these as well.
We’d love to hear from you. For any enquiries, questions or conversations, feel free to contact us.
