By Julia Moyo
Entrepreneurs and independent business owners from across the African continent gathered in Johannesburg on Saturday for The Perfume Co. Africa’s 2nd MLM Anniversary Gala and Awards Dinner, an evening dedicated to celebrating entrepreneurship, leadership and business excellence.
The event attracted attendees from several countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, highlighting the company’s growing footprint across Africa and the success of its network of independent business owners.
The celebration held special significance for founder and CEO Bathabile Moreki, as the gala coincided with her birthday. Throughout the evening, Moreki personally presented awards to recipients and reflected on the company’s journey from a small startup launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to a rapidly growing business with hundreds of thousands of Independent Business Owners (IBOs) across the continent. According to company information, Moreki founded The Perfume Co. Africa in 2021 after identifying a demand for affordable fragrances and entrepreneurship opportunities. Today, the company operates across several African countries and has built a large network of distributors and franchisees.
Addressing guests, Moreki shared her entrepreneurial story and spoke about the challenges and sacrifices involved in building the business. Her journey from entrepreneur to the head of a growing African fragrance brand has earned her recognition in the business community, including being named a finalist in the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards and the Standard Bank Top Women Awards.
Among the biggest winners of the evening was Liz Ageno, who emerged as one of the gala’s most celebrated recipients. Ageno received the prestigious Iconic Achievement Award, which came with a R50,000 cash prize, in recognition of her exceptional contribution and success within The Perfume Co. Africa network.
In addition to the Iconic Achievement Award, Ageno also received the Master Trainer Award, earning a further R20,000, along with several trophies and certificates recognising her leadership, mentorship and business excellence. Her achievements made her one of the standout figures of the evening and highlighted the rewards available to entrepreneurs who consistently excel within the organisation.
Several entrepreneurs were recognised for their dedication and achievements throughout the year, with cash prizes, trophies and certificates awarded to top performers across various categories.
One of the standout recipients was Nombulelo Thibile, who received two awards during the ceremony. She was crowned Street Sales Champion, earning a cheque of R20,000, and was also recognised with the Breakthrough Achievement Award, which came with an additional R5,000 cash prize. Thibile was among several entrepreneurs who took to the stage to share their testimonies, reflecting on their personal journeys, challenges and successes through the business.
Rose Mmapitsi Motau was honoured with the Street Sales Excellence Award and received a cheque of R5,000 in recognition of her achievement.
The awards also celebrated entrepreneurs who have successfully used digital platforms to grow their businesses. Ayanda Mngadi was recognised for his consistency in selling products through social media and later shared his journey with guests, inspiring fellow entrepreneurs through his story of perseverance and dedication.
One of the evening’s most heartwarming moments was the recognition of 12-year-old Princess Seloane, who received the Youngest Active Franchisee Excellence Award. As the youngest Independent Business Owner in The Perfume Co. Africa network, Princess was honoured alongside her mother, drawing applause from guests and highlighting the role of youth entrepreneurship within the organisation.
The gala was not only about awards but also entertainment and celebration. Guests were treated to live performances throughout the evening, with singer Praise serving as the headline act. He entertained attendees with a selection of classic African music, creating a vibrant atmosphere that had guests singing along and celebrating the achievements of the award winners.
In a show of support for the company, Praise also purchased six perfumes for members of his crew during the event.
The evening was hosted by celebrated sports broadcaster Carol Tshabalala, while entrepreneur and motivational speaker Vusi Thembekwayo delivered a keynote address encouraging attendees to pursue excellence and continue building sustainable businesses. The event also featured a red-carpet experience hosted by media personality Penny Ntuli. The gala formed part of The Perfume Co. Africa’s celebration of two years in the MLM sector, a network the company says has grown to more than 300,000 IBOs across the continent.
As the evening came to a close, award winners, business leaders and guests celebrated not only individual achievements but also the growing community of entrepreneurs who continue to build opportunities for themselves and their families across Africa.
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