Mihlali Ndamase

Introducing Forbes Africa’s ’30 Under 30 Class of 2021′ featuring South Africa’s very own Mihlali Ndamase.


The 24-year-old features on the magazine’s latest cover alongside Shakemore Wellington Timburwa, Antonio DePína, Reinhard Mahalie, and Cleo Johnson.

The 30 Under 30 list recognises those who are “leading the charge, building brands, creating jobs, and transforming the continent”.

Mihlali was praised for being one of the young innovators and risk-takers in a pandemic year.
Mihlali Ndamase


Highest paid influencer in SA


Mihlali could not contain her excitement.

“This is evidence of God’s faithfulness in my life. Thank you @forbesafrica what an honour, I am so humbled to be recognised by such a prestigious platform. To my loves, my supporters… we did it, we are officially part of the FORBES family!” she wrote on Instagram.

Mihlali, who has more than a million followers on Instagram, is one of the highest-paid influencers in South Africa.

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She featured on an Instagram-rich list in 2019.

UK-based media company Hopper HQ named her the 135th highest paid Instagram user in the world.

The company claimed Mihlali earned around $1,800 (R25,000) per Instagram post. The figure is likely to be much higher now, and it also excludes other major endorsement deals.


Mihlali rose to fame by sharing makeup tips and tricks on YouTube. The award-winning influencer turned her passion into a business.