MEET ZITHOBE
"Everything you want is already within you - your natural gifts are where your abundance lies."
HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE TSHEPO WOMAN?
She shapes and moulds the future while holding herself together in the process.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW YOU, HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF?
I’m Zithobe Macheli, better known as 'The Skin Girl'. I’m an award-winning skinfluencer, beauty writer, and tech startup founder. I come from a family of five, and I’m the first-born daughter. I was born in Ladysmith, KZN, grew up across the Free State, and later moved to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
HOW DID ALL THAT MOVING SHAPE YOU?
Moving often made me adaptable. Change brings transformation, and transformation is a catalyst for growth. I also grew up with a father who was a community leader, and I think I’ve inherited his compassion and leadership skills.
WHEN DID YOUR LOVE FOR SKINCARE BEGIN?
It started when I was 10. My sister bought me a kit with hand sanitiser, cleanser, and lotion. Later, when I developed acne, I experimented with products to heal my skin. Even after it cleared, I kept exploring skincare – I loved the science behind it. My background in veterinary science, reading medical journals, and engaging with professionals during COVID deepened that passion.
WHAT DOES BEAUTY MEAN TO YOU?
Beauty is broad and nuanced. I believe unique features make people beautiful – my gap, a birthmark, anything distinctive. I also think qualities like compassion and empathy make people beautiful, especially in a harsh world.
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
My grandmother, who overcame rural poverty to earn her degree and build a home as a widowed mother. She always said, "Be a dreamer and don’t let others dictate your dreams." I also admire Manthe Ribane for her limitless creative expression, and Ian Mangenge for showing me that women can thrive in tech and beauty.
WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO?
It was taken in 2019, just after I left my science degree and felt lost. A friend invited me for a shoot; when the mood board fell through, we improvised with bedsheets. The photo came out beautifully. Two years later, my friends gifted me a framed print with the words "never forget your light". It reminds me of my journey from confusion to purpose.
WHAT LEGACY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE?
I want to be remembered as a woman who found her purpose through her natural gifts and used them to inspire other women. When I stopped forcing myself into moulds that didn’t fit and leaned into what came naturally, opportunities and abundance followed.
WHAT DO YOU WANT SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN TO KNOW?
That everything they want is already within them. Feminine energy is powerful – we’re creators and multipliers. The more we pour into ourselves, the more we enrich everyone around us.
HAS SKINCARE TAUGHT YOU ANYTHING BEYOND SKIN HEALTH?
Absolutely. It’s intentional. Knowing your skin’s needs teaches you to listen to your body. The more I’m tapped into myself, the better I show up in my craft.
HAIR CLEARLY HAS MEANING TO YOU - WHY?
Hair is sacred. I believe it connects you to God, your intuition, and energy. I use it as a canvas for creative expression, exploring historical and cultural significance through styles and accessories.
TELL US ABOUT SOME CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
Winning an award as a skinfluencer and co-hosting Skin Out Loud with Nivea Germany. Writing for Bona and GQ. Sitting on a research and development committee for a skincare brand.
