Empowering women: The inspiring journey of Nomsa Mdhluli from journalism to entrepreneurship

From the newsroom to entrepreneurship, Nomsa Mdhluli's journey is a testament to resilience and empowerment, as she transforms challenges into opportunities and inspires women to shine, unapologetically, in business.

“I didn’t harbour dreams of being an entrepreneur some day,” she said.

Her move into business began while she was working in journalism, after someone approached her for help with a public relations project — a field she had studied at an undergraduate level. The work went well, and the client returned year after year.

In 2018, a friend suggested she register a PR company in case she landed a major client. Mdhluli took the advice and registered Tishala Communications while continuing her broadcasting career.

Eight years later, the company has grown from a home-based side business into an integrated communications agency offering public relations, digital marketing, media relations, stakeholder engagement, content development, media training and reputation management.

Her message to women entering business is simple: “Be confident in your talent and your skills. And please, don’t dim your light, especially not because you’re a woman.”

Mdhluli began her media career with the Primedia Group in Cape Town in 2010, working as a news anchor, reporter and producer across CapeTalk, KFM, Radio 702 and Eyewitness News.

In 2014, she moved to Primedia’s Johannesburg headquarters before joining the SABC in 2015 as a news anchor and journalist.

She later anchored morning news on SAfm and covered major political, economic and social developments. Her work earned her the Liberty Radio Award for Best PBS News Reader in 2017.

While building her broadcasting career, Mdhluli continued taking on PR work that would eventually become her full-time business.

The early days of Tishala were modest. She created an office in her home with a laptop, an internet dongle and a red office chair, reflecting the company’s brand colour at the time. She bought the equipment with her SABC salary, while Tishala remained a side hustle.

“As I gained more clients, I was able to use the funds to register a domain name and build a website,” she said.

The agency has since worked across technology, artificial intelligence, fintech, financial services, education, public health, entrepreneurship and youth development.

Its clients have included Allan Gray Makers, Sumsub, Old Mutual Alternative Investments, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation and the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance South Africa.