This year has been one remarkable one for award-winning actress, Thabisile Zikhali ,who recently bagged the role of Minenhle on Isitha: The Enemy. The Kwa-Mashu beauty has now joined other stars who have ventured into the beauty business, such as Lady Du and Gigi Lamayne who opened an IV drip business. Thabisile has opened, Lavish Beauty Salon in Halfway House, Midrand, Johannesburg.

A DREAM COME TRUE

It has always been her dream to open a beauty business and it took her a few years of planning and saving money to get started. "When I was in primary school, I ran an informal salon in our dining room. I used to braid my neighbours' hair every weekend. I even had a sign on our gate inviting potential customers,' she told ZiMoja. "Most of the clients paid me for my services, except for my mom, sister and aunt, of course.'

While at university, she continued running her informal salon at her residence. "I braided my own hair and fellow students,' she added. "I remember writing a business proposal in primary school to turn our garage into a salon, but I lacked the resources. Over time, I forgot about the dream, but God didn't. Fast forward to today and anyone who knows, me knows I love beauty. So, I've decided to turn my passion into a business.'

VERSATILE TALENT

She's had some prominent roles on some of South Africa's most-watched television shows, including Rockville, uZalo, Durban Gen, The Blackdoor and Magenta Coal on Netflix. Thabisile wears many hats -she's a model, a certified female farmer, a motivational speaker, a voice-over artist, an MC, an event host, a public speaker and a philanthropist.

Situated in the heart of Midrand, she describes her salon as a therapeutic escape for working-class women and their families. "It is a unisex salon. We offer hair styling, barber services, manicures, pedicures, makeup, wig installations and hair and lash installations, all under one roof."