A rising star in clean living

Soweto-based entrepreneur and author of the book #I am a housekeeper, Mbali Nhlapo, widely known as the founder of Sisters @ Work and a viral TikTok sensation, has become a household name in South African homes.

- Thami Kwazi

From her humble beginnings as a housekeeper to establishing a thriving cleaning business, Nhlapo's story is one of determination and passion for creating cleaner, more comfortable spaces.

With her engaging social media content, Nhlapo has turned cleaning into an art form, sharing practical tips and hacks that have transformed the way South Africans approach tidying up.

Her videos not only educate but inspire, with followers frequently seeking her advice on everything from cleaning methods to product recommendations.

Now collaborating with fabric softener brand Comfort, Nhlapo sat down with Saturday Citizen and shared her expertise.

How did your journey start in your career and get to where you are now?

My career began in 2016 when my sister-in-law, about to go on maternity leave, asked me to help find a helper. After reaching out to friends, family, and church members, I found a woman from church who still works for her today.

Soon after, more people began reaching out for help finding housekeepers, and that's how Sisters @ Work was born—a business placing trusted housekeepers.

Around the same time, TikTok was trending, and my son encouraged me to share cleaning tips.

Hesitant at first, I posted a video of a simple back-to-school shower clean, and it went viral.

Now, we've grown significantly, and I've stepped back from daily operations. We even have uniforms, adding professionalism and making our team easily identifiable to clients.

The journey has been amazing, and I'm so proud of what we've built together.