Female South African Movers and Shakers in Hong Kong

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve rounded up a list of female South African movers and shakers in Hong Kong. From retail and wellness to the performing arts, we’re proud to showcase these female South African business owners and talents. Check out the ventures and projects by these creative, driven women.

Beauty and Wellness

Embody

Embody Studio Discovery Bay is a Pilates, yoga and Zumba studio owned by South African, Gill Welgemoed. The studio was the bronze award recipient in the Expat Living 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards (Best Pilates Studio) and has a lovely community feel. They offer a wide variety of classes including various types of yoga, Pilates, Zumba, as well as yoga and Bounce DanceFit for children. For more details, please visit Embody and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Evolve Therapy

Evolve Therapy Hong Kong offers in-person and online counselling. South African paediatric occupational therapist Caterina Pietrobon has over 30 years of experience working with families with a wide range of developmental needs, adoption and bereavement. She has lived and worked in five different countries and is also well versed in expat issues. Visit Evolve Therapy or their Facebook page for more information and appointments.

Hollywood Hair

Rennie Fensham is an award-winning international hair and make-up artist who works alongside her talented daughter Yentl Snyman to form Hollywood Hair – a hair and beauty household name in Hong Kong. You can visit Rennie and Yentl at Daz Hair, while Yentl also works from Hollywood Hair 2 in Sai Kung. If you are in need of a new look for summer, make an appointment at Hollywood Hair @ Daz Hair or Hollywood Hair 2 (Sai Kung) and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.*

Fashion and Accessories

Colour Connection Styling

Colour Connection Styling offers image, style and colour analysis sessions, along with makeovers, special events, corporate clients and personal consultations. Owner and stylist Lidene Muller offers a bespoke range of services to suit all your personal and professional styling needs. Visit Colour Connection and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.*

Nxiba-Oku

Nxiba- Oku stocks unique social justice clothing and accessories that give people the chance to express who they are and what they stand for. Owner Zeke Ngcobo has combined her unique South African childhood memories with her current identity as a black woman in order to create these one-of-a-kind pieces. “One of the company’s main goals is to allow customers to express ‘blackness’ in a dope and creative way,” says Nxiba-Oku’s Hong Kong-based South African owner. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram or visit Nxiba-Oku.

Sep Jordan

SEP (stands for Social Enterprise Project) is a fashion and lifestyle business with a social impact focus. SEP’s products are delicately hand-embroidered by refugees in Jordan’s Jerash “Gaza” refugee camp, creating sustainable economic independence for hundreds of women and their families. Read more about Sep Jordan and follow their Hong Kong brand ambassador on Instagram for orders and product updates.

Victoria Creative

This mother-daughter duo has been creating handmade, one-of-a-kind polymer clay earrings since 2019. They are based in Hong Kong and Cape Town, and Helena Moralee (the mom of the duo) runs the Hong Kong side of the business. Their love for creativity, accessories and quality shines through in every piece of unique wearable art they produce. Check out their products on Facebook and Instagram or visit Victoria Creative.

Kids and Education

Activity Box

ActivityBox is a monthly art and craft subscription box service for families with children aged 3 to 8. Created by child education expert Julie Stockdale, every ActivityBox is thoughtfully curated with age-appropriate, hands-on learning activities designed to promote child development, and foster skills essential for success in school and life. Each Box contains ideas, materials and easy-to-follow instructions, taking the stress out of planning and allowing parents and carers to focus on exploring, learning and creating memories with their children. For more details, please visit Activity Box and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Boom Boom Bumz

Boom Boom Bumz is your one stop shop for quality modern cloth diapers and accessories. They are passionate about the environment, reducing waste and providing parents with an economical diapering option. They have designed their own brand of Boom Boom Bumz diapers, liners and inserts and also stock a leading South African brand. Visit Boom Boom Bumz and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Dyslexia Support HK

Dyslexia Support is run by South African educator, assessor of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) and specialist tutor, Jennifer van Wyk. She is a specialist in dyslexia/SpLD and is qualified to conduct diagnostic assessments, Exam Access Arrangements and to deliver specialised teaching programmes to learners with dyslexia/SpLD. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience in education and training and has been teaching since 2010. Visit Dyslexia Support HK for information and assessment or tutoring appointments.

Indica

Indica is a clothing brand providing sustainable charcoal bamboo leggings that inspire little girls to greatness. The brainchild of South African businesswoman and mother of three, Raelene Rorke Clarke, this brand aims to inspire girls to stay confident, brave and empowered. Indica also donates 10% of their profits to NPOs dedicated to empowering young girls. Shop online at Indica and visit their Facebook and Instagram.

Little Bushbaby

Little Bushbaby sells beautiful clothing, accessories and bedding for the little ones. Their products are ethically and sustainably made using organic fabrics and shipped using eco-friendly packaging. Owner, Domenique English, believes that every child deserves the hope of a better future which is why a portion of every purchase from Little Bushbaby is donated to Aid for Africa. Visit Little Bushbaby and check out their Facebook and Instagram. *

Momentai

Momentai offers mindfulness-based education and activities for children and adults both online and in person. Their aim is to provide an education service that involves learning essential life skills through fun, mindfulness-based activities. Their centre offers an array of activities including Zumba and yoga for kids as well as mindful mentoring in a safe and creative space. Visit Momentai or check out their Instagram or Facebook.

Food and Lifestyle

Africa to Asia

Africa to Asia brings good food and people together. They carry selected products including iconic South African wines, award-winning Rooibos tea and red espresso ranges, themed spices, rubs and seasonings. If you’re missing South African braais, check out their Barry Hilton merchandise and Megamaster braai accessories. Visit Africa to Asia or check out the Facebook and Instagram.

Coba Grills

Trust a South African to bring an ingenius braai solution to Hong Kong. Former Durbanite Alison Wright from Coba Grills offers braai lovers with limited outdoor space in Hong Kong the perfect solution with the smokeless, portable charcoal Lotus Grills. They’re lightweight and easy to clean, and can be used on balconies, boats or on picnics. Shop now at Coba Grills and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.*

Hou Hou Mei

Hou Hou Mei was founded by two South African ladies who share a love of baking and good food. Their decadent giant cookies truly personify the phrase ‘hou hou mei’ (something delicious). In addition to fresh cookies, they also offer premix boxes and will soon be adding frozen treats to their selection. Visit Hou Hou Mei and check them out on Facebook and Instagram.

The South African Shop

The South African Shop has been around since 2012 and is a one-stop shop for all your South African grocery and toiletry needs. If you are looking for a specific product from home that they don’t stock, owner Bonnie Whaley will always go that extra mile and try her best to bring in the requested product. You can shop online at The South African Shop and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.*

Arts and Culture

Blank Page Writer’s Forum

Blank Page Writer’s Forum is a free monthly programme organised for literature enthusiasts by award-winning local writer Celia Claase and artist Janine Claase. These sessions include guest writers and speakers from the Hong Kong writing community, as well as discussions and and open mic readings. To stay in the loop, follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Eli Zaelo

Multilingual Afro Asian artist Eli Zaelo, has graced stages in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Thailand over the past five years. This multi-talented South African singer and actress has also just released her first single titled ‘Human’. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook for more music news and new releases.

Ms Lolo

Londiwe Ngubeni, better known as Ms Lolo, is a South African performer and recording artist based in Hong Kong. Her soulful voice gives new life to Afrobeats and you can catch her live at her Secret Location with Ms Lolo shows. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for event details.

*SAAHK members qualify for the following discounts:

Coba Grills – 10% discount on online purchases of grills and accessories
Colour Connection – 15% discount on all packages
Hollywood Hair @ Daz – 10% off all full price services from Rennie Fensham and Yentl Snyman
Hollywood Hair 2 – 10% off all full price services from Yentl Snyman
Little Bushbaby – 15% discount on online purchases (sale items excluded)
The South African Shop – 10% discount on purchases over HK$600

If you would like to become a SAAHK member, please visit our website.

Featured image artwork courtesy of respective supplier websites and social media pages. Original cover photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash.