Content creators are increasingly making a success of themselves, often going beyond the realm of content creation to start up their own businesses. Here are some of our favourite South African influencers doing the most in 2023.
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Aisha Baker
Earlier this year, Aisha Baker opened her own fully halal Vida e Caffè branch on Claremont’s popular Imam Haron Road. The wife of cricketer Wayne Parnell and mom to two young kids, Aisha is most known for her content platform, Baked Online, which was initially just a fashion blog. In 2019 she joined the ranks of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 list, which recognises Africans under 30 making strides in their careers. Passionate about being a multi-faceted working mom, Aisha also launched Millennial Mama, a knowledge-sharing space aimed at inspiring women to become better moms and ultimately channel their fierce feminine energy.
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Seth Shezi
Setting up a digital marketing agency seemed like a natural progression for style icon Seth Shezi, who has collaborated with brands such as Jo Malone, Mercedes Benz and Nespresso. Seth has evolved his design, photography and illustration skills to beyond just a hobby – he keeps busy heading up Obsidian Studio, a creative agency that specialises in digital marketing, content production and brand strategy. Seth has also made strides with his personal passion projects, such as his podcast series Breaking Eggs, where he interviews boundary-breaking mavericks.
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Aqeelah Harron
Aqeelah Harron is no stranger to entrepreneurship, having launched her own ebook, Booked, Busy, Verified, in which she offers advice for content creators on how to approach brands for paid collaborations. A stalwart of the SA blogging scene for almost a decade, Aqeelah has come a long way since the days of uploading OOTDs to her blog, Fashion Breed. A project very close to her heart is Worthy Co., which she founded after struggling to find biodegradable sanitary pads. Having struggled with PCOS for most of her life, Aqeelah is passionate about menstruation education and donates a percentage of profits to The CORA Project, a local organisation aimed at fighting period poverty by distributing pads to women in need.
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Caspar Lee
It’s hard to believe Caspar Lee started out uploading comedy skits to his YouTube channel at the tender age of 16. The 29-year-old has gone on to co-found numerous businesses, including a company called Influencer.com, which connects brands with creatives at scale, and Margravine Management, a talent agency he started with his friend, British YouTuber and actor Joe Sugg. In addition to running these businesses, he’s also a partner in a venture capital fund, Creator Ventures, which invests in early-stage companies that are innovating in consumer internet. Most recently, Caspar has set up affordable student accommodation in Cape Town called Proper Living.
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Nadia Jaftha
Nadia Jaftha has grown in leaps and bounds since posting prank videos on her Instagram page. Today, the award-winning creator, singer and actor runs Ace Labs, a full-service marketing agency that connects content creators with trusted brands. Nadia and her team of media experts have helped roll out successful multi-channel marketing campaigns for other content creators such as Pearl Thusi and Mitch Matyana. With the launch of Ace Labs’ Dubai branch, Nadia is casting her net wider by helping people form partnerships on a global scale.
