"It's No Longer The Olden Days:" Mbali Nhlapo Gives SA’s Domestic Workers Their Voices Back

• Housekeeper Mbali Nhlapo started her journey on an off chance that grew to become a part of her destiny as an influential housekeeping trainer
• The Soweto-born powerhouse took over social media by storm with useful household hacks in TikTok videos that blew up
• Mbali has been named one of the 2025 Briefly News Women of Wonder: The Real Housekeepers of Mzansi, in honour of Women's Month
• Speaking to Briefly News in an exclusive interview, she shared her insight into domestic workers and their role in the housekeeping sphere

TikTok's most popular housekeeper, Mbali Nhlapo, has worked hard to reshape the narrative of domestic workers. The professional housekeeper released a library of content packed with housekeeping knowledge, including techniques which have gone viral over the years.

Mbali's videos, which demonstrate laundry, cleaning, and other household hacks, highlight the level of skill set a domestic worker needs. Through her work, she has worked to reshape housekeepers' perceptions with her training services.

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Mbali is best known for her viral household cleaning hacks. The Diepkloof-born entrepreneur is also an educator for housekeepers with her company Sisters@Work. The viral housekeeper's passion for showing that domestic workers are professionals who deliver service beyond cleaning landed her spot as one of The Real Housekeepers of Mzansi for Briefly News' Women of Wonder.

How did Mbali Nhlapo start domestic work?

The TikTok sensation was raised in Zone 2, where she found her footing in the housekeeping space. Mbali used to work at a furniture store until she resigned. She entered the housekeeping business when her sister-in-law needed a childminder at the last minute after her regular one suddenly cancelled. Mbali said she was able to find someone to help, which planted the seed for Mbali's company, Sisters@Work.

Mbali Nhlapo trains domestic workers

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With Sisters@Work, Mbali specialises in cleaning services and training for housekeepers on how to deliver quality service. She said in an exclusive interview with Briefly News:

“I am training housekeepers not to be perfect, but to be thorough, as housekeepers are supposed to be."

Following nine years of experience at Sister@Work, Mbali shared that a good housekeeper has three qualities: hardworking, determined and knows what they want. Domestic work is considered a marginalised profession according to the SA Journal of Human Resource Management, as many employees face unfair work conditions, since their labour is typically seen as informal by most private households. Mbali works to undo the stigma by equipping housekeepers with skills that make them stand out as professionals.

Mbali explained that her aim with training at Sisters@Work is to help housekeepers retain clients with their expertise. Mbali’s training is knowledge-based, educating housekeepers on the varied uses of common household items in the upkeep of a home.

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“I'm providing training so that housekeepers can last at their workplaces because when you know what to use and how to use it, that makes you a professional housekeeper.”

Mbali Nhlapo declares love for domestic work

Mbali wants the world to value domestic work as an area of expertise. She said housekeeping is more than cleaning:

"I need people to understand that it is no longer the olden days, where you just say she's just a domestic worker. No, we are professional housekeepers."

Talking about her love for housekeeping, Mbali said she doesn't care what her profession is called, whether it is a domestic worker or helper. She is satisfied with doing what she loves, no matter its title.

Mbali encouraged others to take pride in any work they do. She told Briefly News that finding success is all about passion and taking pride in one's skills. Mbali advised:

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"Bafowethu, bomama, love what you do. Whether you are a cleaner, a housekeeper, or wherever you are, do your best, be as loud as a housekeeper, in any industry, go with it and nurture it."

Other 2025 Briefly News Women of Wonder: The Real Housekeepers of Mzansi stories

• A dedicated domestic worker named Seneria Moyo has overcome humble beginnings to build a better life for her family through hard work and determination.
• Briefly News reported that Beauty Katiyo, better known as Gogo Mujubheki online, has been a domestic worker for 15 years, building her social media presence with helpful home remedies.
• In another story, Nelia Ngulube, a Johannesburg domestic worker with 16 years of experience, has recently found sweet success in her new venture.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News