Kefentse Maringa

For Kefentse Maringa, 32, entrepreneurship is both a calling and a catalyst for transformation. Her journey from crafting handmade Valentine’s cards to winning the 2024 Glamour Beauty Award is a story of vision, tenacity and purpose. As the founder and director of Kolor Faktory Cosmetics, she leads a proudly South African beauty brand that creates skincare-powered make-up specifically for dark skin. Launched in 2023, Kolor Faktory marries science, inclusion and storytelling. Kefentse is hands-on at every level. Her standout product, the Naked Melanite Longwear Foundation, has garnered industry recognition and retail traction, placing her at the forefront of a growing local cosmetics sector. Her accolades include being a Top 30 finalist in the Woolworths Youth Maker Competition, Top 10 for Standard Bank’s Top Women in Gauteng, and Top 16  in Engen’s Pitch & Polish. Beyond business, Kefentse empowers others through beauty business workshops and matric dance makeover sponsorships for underprivileged girls. “I know what it’s like to have big dreams but limited support,” she says.

• Social Media Management course, Coursera
• Road to Growth and Road to Leadership programmes, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
• Venture Launch Online Course, presented by the Motsepe Foundation in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT) Graduate School of Business
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, University of South Africa (*in progress) 

• Launched Kolor Faktory Cosmetics – developed a beauty brand specifically for dark-skinned women, combining skincare benefits with makeup
• Winner at the Glamour Beauty Awards 2024 – the Naked Melanite Longwear Liquid Foundation received recognition at the Glamour Beauty Awards 
• Finalist in Prestigious Business Competitions – recognised as a Top 30 finalist in the Woolworths Youth Maker Competition, a Top 10 finalist in Standard Bank’s Top Women in Gauteng, a Top 30 finalist in Jacaranda FM Her Perfect Pitch and a Top 16 finalist in Engen’s Pitch and Polish
• Empowered underprivileged girls through workshops and sponsorships – through Kolor Faktory, beauty business workshops and matric dance makeovers were sponsored for girls in underprivileged communities

• My mother – grew up with very little, but her work ethic and determination were unmatched. She began her career in retail as a casual worker and rose to become a cosmetics manager, creating a stable and dignified life for her family. 
• Bozoma Saint John, former chief marketing officer of Netflix – her boldness, authenticity, and ability to lead while staying true to herself have shown that you can thrive in high-level spaces without compromising your identity.
• Valuable guidance has also come through mentors and entrepreneurship programmes such as Her Perfect Pitch and GIBS Road to Growth