Thabisile Madondo

Thabisile (Tabby) Madondo, the owner of Tabby M. Wellness Boutique based in Port Shepstone, draws her inspiration from a deep sense of purpose to uplift others. She is the second-born in a family of four siblings, has been happily married for 17 years and is blessed with three boys. “Family is at the heart of everything I do,” she says, adding that her upbringing shaped her journey in life and business.

Thabisile’s business specialises in skincare, massages, and weight management. As a trained somatologist and certified life coach, she integrates her coaching skills into her services. “When clients come in for a massage, they often find themselves sharing their stories with me. It becomes a form of therapy for them, and as a life coach, I can be a good listener,” she explains. Her holistic approach to wellness ensures that the physical, mental, and emotional needs of her clients are addressed. “It’s not just about working on the muscles or the skin; it’s about touching the whole person — mind, body, and soul.”

Thabisile places an emphasis on self-care, self-love, and self-awareness, values she actively promotes through her business. “Many people rarely receive physical affection, even a simple hug, from their loved ones. The touch of a massage is a way for them to feel complete and connected again,” she notes. For Thabisile, the business is not just about providing services; it’s about creating a space where individuals can find healing and rediscover themselves. “I want my clients to leave not only looking better but also feeling rejuvenated and empowered.”

Regain Her Independence
Her journey to entrepreneurship was not straightforward. After completing her Grade 12 at Marburg Secondary School, she briefly pursued further studies before getting married. “I got married early at 25 and became a stay-at- home mum, but I always felt there was more to me than just being a housewife,” she reflects. In 2010, after years

away from formal education, Thabisile decided to go back to school, studying somatology at Kloof Academy of Beauty. “I thought I’d take a short course to fit around my kids’ schedules, but once I learned about somatology, I fell in love with it. The magic behind the treatments was fascinating, and I decided to pursue a full three-year programme, including international certifications.”

Her newfound career took her to various spas, where she gained experience before opening her own spa in Musgrave, Durban, in 2013. Unfortunately, the venture was short-lived due to Thabisile’s husband’s new job in Pretoria, which required them to relocate. “I had to close the spa after two years, and while in Pretoria, I fell pregnant with my last- born. I found myself at home again, feeling lost and depressed,” she recalls. Thabisile eventually expressed her desire to return to work, though it was difficult to find consistent support for her children. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, her family moved back to Port Shepstone, and she began selling supplements to regain her independence.

The pandemic gave Thabisile a chance to rediscover her passion for wellness, leading her to enrol in coaching. “I was working on myself, addressing insecurities, fears, and feelings of inferiority. Coaching helped me grow and redirected me to reopen my wellness business in 2020,” she shares. With limited resources, Thabisile started small, borrowing a massage bed from a friend. “I had a clear vision — my space would be a place for people who are seeking change, longing to step out of their current situations.”

Her dedication to wellness extends beyond her business. Thabisile participates in charity events related to wellness and supports local causes in her community. She initiated an online skipping challenge to motivate women to exercise, using a WhatsApp group to encourage each other. “It’s hard to exercise alone, especially for mothers who always find excuses. So, we share our skipping videos and cheer each other on,” she says.

In addition, Thabisile is enthusiastic about empowering the youth in her church. She promotes self-care, self-love, and public speaking skills, and recently introduced organic sanitary pads for young girls in rural areas. “These young women face unique challenges, and I want to make a difference in their lives, even if it’s something as simple as providing sanitary products.”

Rewrite Your Story
Running a business is not without its challenges. Thabisile acknowledges that managing staff turnover can be disheartening. “I invest so much in training young therapists, sharing my skills with them, only to see them leave. It’s disappointing, but I understand that they also need to grow,” she says. “I may not know everything about the business side of things, so I outsource tasks like accounting and marketing. It’s about finding the right support to keep moving forward.”

Thabisile’s drive comes from her parents, who taught her the value of hard work. Her father’s entrepreneurial spirit left an impression on her. “He would wake up early in the morning to deliver bananas to sellers, and now he is a successful businessman. His determination showed me that it’s possible to start small and grow big,” she says. Her mother’s decision to go back to school and become a teacher, despite raising four children, inspired Thabisile to pursue her own education later in life. “I thought, if she could do it, so could I.”

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is: “Start wherever you are, with whatever you have. Find a mentor or a coach, and don’t be afraid to rewrite your story. If a chapter doesn’t go as planned, turn the page and keep writing. Everyone has a purpose; it’s up to us to fulfil it.”

Looking ahead, Thabisile has big plans for Tabby M. Wellness Boutique. “I hope to expand globally, franchising my spa and tapping into other sectors to grow the business,” she reveals. Her journey is far from over, and she continues to find balance through family activities, such as beach outings and gym sessions with her boys. “For me, relaxation is essential — I enjoy playing music, meditating, hiking, and sometimes just getting a good night’s sleep.”