It started as a blog. Just words on a screen — reflections, memories, advocacy. But to be honest, when Ma’am Colleen first encouraged us — as part of our WOSSO Fellowship — to blog, I quietly thought to myself, "No, thank you, I'm definitely not doing that." Blogging? No, not for me.
But then came the Emirates flight to Thailand. Something shifted. Something cracked open. My experience on that flight — what I saw, felt, and endured — demanded to be told. I needed to write. And then it hit me: Ma’am Colleen said we must blog. So I got on that blogging thing. That flight turned me into a storyteller.
On the 8th of December 2024, I published my first blog.
Since then, blogging has become a powerful tool in my life. It opened doors. It helped me connect with people. It helped me heal. And most recently, it helped birth a company.
One of the blogs I wrote while in Durban — while I was waiting for my partner at a hotel — was simply something I wrote because I enjoyed the hotel. I liked the way they treated their staff. I liked how the space welcomed both guests and community.
It was just a beautiful vibe. I walked around, took photos, chatted to staff members and guests, and soaked it all in. It was the Durban July weekend, and the hotel was abuzz with energy. Just days before, Durban had also hosted its Pride celebration. There was life in the city. It was dynamic, festive, and unforgettable.
I worked on that blog for about three days, capturing the pulse of Durban in that week. What I didn’t expect was that the hotel’s general manager would read the blog — and love it. He invited me to a meeting, and from there came an offer to collaborate on their media strategy. That meeting, which happened while I was still waiting to be picked up, changed everything. It affirmed that blogging wasn’t just a passion — it was a profession.
So I returned home and did what I had been dreaming about for months. I officially registered Dulaza Brands and Media Company (Pty) Ltd with the CIPC. Dulaza — named after my clan — had lived in my heart long before it lived on paper. Now, it is alive.
Dulaza Brands and Media is a proudly Black woman-led company rooted in authentic storytelling, cultural relevance, and creative strategy. It exists to amplify the voices, cultures, and campaigns that matter. We create digital content in all 12 official South African languages, including sign language. We run strategic campaigns, design media training for community-based organizations, and support brands that want real connection — not just clicks.
Our vision is to be South Africa’s leading multilingual storytelling and brand-building hub — a space where advocacy meets creativity, and visibility meets value. Our mission is to bridge cultures and amplify stories that often go unheard.
Importantly, this company also aligns with my values as a human rights activist and founder of a nonprofit women’s rights organization working to end gender-based violence in South Africa. Dulaza is more than a business — it’s a platform for economic justice.
My dream is that our staff — while diverse — will be primarily women from marginalized communities. Women who are survivors of gender-based violence. Women who are rebuilding. Women who need an income, but also a voice.
Through Dulaza, I aim to create economic opportunities for women — particularly those living in shelters and communities that are often excluded from South Africa’s formal economy. Dulaza will be a place where survivors — directly or indirectly affected by violence — can find dignity, growth, and income.
We don’t just work in content creation. We also provide trainings on blogging, social media marketing, and digital storytelling. We help organizations and individuals tap into the power of their own narratives.
This journey started with a blog and a calling. Today, it stands as a company built on passion, purpose, and the firm belief that media can transform lives.
We are open for business. And we’re just getting started.
Zintle Khobeni Ka Pheza
Founder & CEO
Dulaza Brands and Media Company (Pty) Ltd.
