Nowadays we don’t have to look far to find inspiration. By simply logging onto Instagram or Youtube you can unlock a world of wonder.
Some of the telltale traits that make a brilliant social media influencer include an individual who has the power to affect decisions of others because of his/her authority, knowledge, position or relationship with his/her audience.
According to the Influencer Marketing Hub, influencers on social media are people who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a particular topic.
They make regular posts about that topic on their preferred social media channels and generate large followings of enthusiastic engaged people who pay close attention to their content.
As a social media fundi, I have compiled a list of the top 7 South African influencers (in no particular order):
Mihlali Ndamase
According to
She was born and raised by her grandmother in Kokstad, a small town in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.
With over 97 000 subscribers on Youtube and over 474 000 followers on Instagram, Mihlali is becoming a force to be reckoned with online.
Thickleeyonce
Thickleeyonce (real name: Lesego Legobane) is a popular South African photographer, blogger and model.
The 25-year-old body positive activist is said to believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way.
She has more than 370 000 followers on Instagram and inspires plenty of them with her positive vibes.
Suzelle DIY
Born Julia Anastasopoulos but better known as Suzelle is a South African artist, illustrator, designer and actress.
She became a local internet phenomenon in 2014, with her do-it-yourself web series known as SuzelleDIY.
Before she became a YouTube personality, she created hand-drawn illustrations on the walls and windows of a few MyCiTi bus stations.
SuzelleDiy has almost 95 000 followers on Instagram and more than 140 000 subscribers on Youtube.
Emma Jane Menteath
According to her
Having modelled for the past seven years she developed a love for street fashion and style which then lead her to the creation of her blog, My Life in Pink.
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<p>She has worked for magazines all over the world including <g class=)
VOGUE, ELLE, Marie Claire, Oyster, Myself, COSMO, Glamour and QVEST.
Some of her campaign work includes Picard, Calvin Klein, Levi’s, SLY010, Koton, Liu Jo, New Yorker, Dune International and has opened up for shows during New York Fashion Week.
Her always-on-trend style has me wanting to go shopping
Clara Chimeloane
Clara is a makeup artist known mostly for being responsible for doing Bonang Matheba’s makeup.
Other powerful faces she has worked on
Others include MTV presenter Kim Jayde, TV Personality Mbali Nkosi and more.
Aisha O’Reilly
Aisha is a natural hair queen with her blog description stating, “I’m a young African woman who loves hair, beauty and being a new mommy, amongst other things. My aim is to inspire and encourage fellow women by giving them a peek into my life, with all of its ups, downs, questions and adventures.”
“Like many African women, I had a deeply negative relationship with my hair. I didn’t feel beautiful unless my hair was straight and silky. After many bad hair decisions and a terrible hair loss experience at the salon, I
“I’m continuing to share my natural hair journey and more here, on Aisha & Life.”
She has more than 12 000 subscribers on Youtube and over 13 000 followers on Instagram
Kim Jayde
According to reports Kim Jayde is a model, TV presenter and an influencer born in Harare, Zimbabwe.
She relocated to South Africa after completing her high-school studies to pursue her tertiary education, where she obtained an Honours Degree in Social Work.
During her time studying, Jayde fell in l
MTV Base South Africa’s talent manager saw her on Instagram and in less than a week she was offered a job as a presenter on the channel.
She is killing it on MTV and her Instagram account which has more than 97 000 followers makes me feel like I am living my best life right beside her.
Magenta Magazine
