Lucingweni-born entrepreneur Nomzi Ngenge, affectionately known as Thyileka, is the visionary behind Sassy Lashes, a beauty salon that was born out of adversity. After losing her job as a cashier following a disagreement with her employer, Nomzi found herself unemployed and with limited options in a tough job market.
“I didn’t have enough time to look for another job, and the state of the country isn’t too friendly when it comes to employment,” she told Pondoland Times. Rather than give in to despair, she transformed her bedroom into a makeshift salon—and Sassy Lashes was born.
Nomzi credits her former colleagues and local community for the overwhelming support that pushed her to formalize her business. Today, Sassy Lashes is thriving, serving a growing clientele and inspiring others in the process.
“I’m my own inspiration. I’ve always done my own nails and makeup, and people would compliment me. They’d say, ‘You should open a salon—you look beautiful.’ So when I lost my job, I decided to give the beauty industry a chance, and boom!” she said with a smile.
Nomzi dreams of expanding Sassy Lashes into a full-fledged beauty hub that creates jobs for other young people in the area. Motivated by her own experience with unemployment, she also launched a WhatsApp group called The Ladies’ Corner—a platform for women to share job opportunities, promote their businesses, and support one another.
“To me, financial freedom means being able to afford anything I want without relying on anyone—and being able to help others without draining myself,” she added.
Through grit, creativity, and a deep sense of community, Nomzi Thyileka Ngenge is building more than just a business—she’s building a movement.
