By Tamlyn Canham
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.
READ: Mihlali Ndamase adds actress to her bio with ‘Rhythm City’ cameo
Ladies and Gentlemen, HER 🥺💁🏽♀️✨ https://t.co/WFX7yxbQ6e
— Mihlali Ndamase 🤍 (@mihlalii_n) June 1, 2021
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.
At the age of 24, hayi uThixo uyandimangaza shame.
— Mihlali Ndamase 🤍 (@mihlalii_n) June 1, 2021
Forbes Africa recognises me and my craft okay? 😭😭😭🥺
— Mihlali Ndamase 🤍 (@mihlalii_n) June 1, 2021
Mihlali, who has more than a million followers on Instagram, is one of the highest-paid influencers in South Africa.
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.
READ: Mihlali Ndamase puts airline on blast after R7k wig goes missing
Mihlali trends on Twitter
Mihlali started trending on Twitter within hours of the Forbes Africa cover dropping.
“All hail Queen Mihlali,” one man wrote.
Another user tweeted:
“Mihlali‘s comeback after yall told her to shut up and work, is the definition of letting your success drag your haters for filth; therefore I have decided to Stan.“
https://twitter.com/letukapearl/status/1399666702254854144
Here’s a look at what others had to say:
A 45 year old father of 17 released a Mihlali diss track yesterday, basically calling her a gold digger and today she is on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.😭😭😭😭😭🙌🏽Love to see it.🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Luna MN 🇵🇸 (@MphoMoalamedi) June 1, 2021
It’s @mihlalii_n on the #FORBESAFRICA30UNDER30 for me 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 What do we Stan? An entire QUEEN!!!🔥😍🙏🏾Congratulations Mihlali!!!! This is everything and more! YOU are EVERYTHING 😍🔥🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/cbrGnwjtzJ
— 2024’s Champion☄️ (@ZanelePotelwa) June 1, 2021
Is this the Mihlali u referring to? https://t.co/oTMuD9IVhM pic.twitter.com/GvwHcPBYkO
— Tsonga mami (@tsholo_rosey) June 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/NHLANHL69446449/status/1399663704854171649
Let your work speak for you _Mihlali Ndamase
I stan Queen pic.twitter.com/E2hGsDdLNo
— DiPalesa 🌼🏵️🌻 (@TsaBafokeng_) June 1, 2021
Mihlali on Forbes magazine is something long overdue. She hit 100k views in 2 days on YouTube.
This is her Appreciation posthttps://t.co/c7g8wMXTV7 pic.twitter.com/qZupqLh8Qm— YT: Sonwabile Mhlongo (@Snwapz1) June 1, 2021



