PHALABORWA – Refilwe Malatji, a 35-year-old woman from Majeje, has started her own cosmetics business to support her family and build a better future.

Malatji is the founder of Refie Harry Cosmetics, a brand named after her two names, Refilwe and Harriet.

The business manufactures a range of products, including hair food, body and hand scrubs, inner-thigh cream, perfumes, and healing balms.

Stepping up after tragedy

Malatji told the Herald that as the first-born child, she feels a strong responsibility to support her mother, Juliet Phakula, following the death of her father in 2013.

“My father passed away when I was 22 years old, and my mother was unemployed at the time. That forced me to step in as the provider for the family,” she said.

She explained that she initially made ends meet by working as a hairdresser and later at a local spaza shop, where she earned R1 300 a month.

Building new skills

Determined to improve her situation, Malatji enrolled in a six-month sewing course offered by the Phalaborwa Foundation.

She later registered to study computer studies and graphic design at Sir Val Duncan College, from which she graduated in 2018.

Discovering a new passion

Despite these achievements, Malatji said she always wanted more for herself.

With encouragement from friends, she began researching the cosmetics industry. She then approached the Small Enterprise Development Agency for guidance on starting a business and officially registered with SARS.

Growing the business alone

Currently, Malatji runs the business on her own as she continues to grow the brand and lacks the financial resources to employ staff.

She hopes this will change as the business expands.

A message to young entrepreneurs

She also encourages young people to start businesses not only for financial gain, but to pursue ventures they are passionate about.

“Do something you love,” she said.