Women of Wonder 2025: The Real Housekeepers of Mzansi

Briefly News proudly presents the much-anticipated Women of Wonder 2025 campaign, our annual celebration of South African women rising above adversity and making a meaningful impact. This year, we shine the spotlight on seven remarkable women working in domestic roles, the true heart and backbone of countless households across Mzansi.

They work tirelessly behind the scenes. Now, we bring them front and centre.

Domestic work is one of South Africa’s largest employment sectors, with over 850,000 people employed in private homes. An incredible 92% are women, many of them both caregivers and breadwinners, carrying entire families on their shoulders.

Through Women of Wonder, we aim to change the narrative around domestic work. By amplifying voices too often unheard, we celebrate resilience, ambition and entrepreneurship, reminding Mzansi that our household heroes are also community changemakers.

Meet the Women Who Inspire Mzansi

Laiza Moyo: From Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, Laiza started as a high school pupil cleaning teachers’ cottages. Despite living away from her own children, she has built homes, funded education, and become a mentor to other domestic workers, challenging perceptions of what it means to work in households.

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Nelia Ngulube: With 16 years of experience, Nelia launched Yaya's Rusks, turning a passion for baking into a small business. Thanks to a clever social media strategy, her rusks now sell out weekly.

Beauty Katiyo (Gogo Mujubheki): A domestic worker for 15 years, Beauty built her social media presence sharing home remedies. Despite long, exhausting days, she continues to find purpose and joy in her work.

Seneria Moyo: Overcoming humble beginnings, Seneria has built a better life for her family. She takes pride in her work and, inspired by her daughter, is now pursuing opportunities in Japan.

Nthabeleng Sawa: A dedicated single mother of three, Nthabeleng has worked as a domestic worker for 18 years. She balances caregiving with self-development, exemplifying perseverance and dreams beyond daily chores.

Thobeka Ntini-Makununika: Starting domestic work at age 13, Thobeka grew up scrubbing floors while nurturing her ambitions. She defied societal limitations to earn a PhD, honouring generations of women who came before her.

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Mbali Nhlapo: A Diepkloof-born entrepreneur, Mbali manages her household while running Sisters@Work, a company that empowers domestic workers through professional housekeeping training.

In previous years, our Women of Wonder series spotlighted women excelling in politics, business, construction, and the balancing act of single motherhood. In 2025, we bring the spotlight to domestic workers, the unsung heroes of South African homes, says Maryn Blignaut, Briefly News Editor-In-Chief.

Maryn unpacks the campaign’s purpose and impact in an exclusive interview with Cape Talk.

These seven women embody what it means to hold families and communities together and to dream beyond expectations.

Beyond the Household

These women are not just caretakers; they are educators, entrepreneurs, scholars, and changemakers. Their stories drive local economies, support families, and shape communities.

By telling their stories, we challenge stereotypes and uplift a workforce too often overlooked but undeniably essential.

Source: Briefly News