“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be”Maya Angelou Innovative brand NIVEA ran an empowering, nurturing & women-centric campaign “NIVEA Skinfluencer”. An initiative for young women desiring a career as an influencer. 10 winners of the NIVEA Skinfluencer competition have been announced as Khwezi Madlala, Sue Mokoena, Esihle Ndleleni, Ofentse Lekwane, Anarzade Omar, Lesego Mogonediwa, Dineo Jeniffer Mapoma, Ofentse Molefe, Katleho Motaung and Simone Kruger. Each young woman won a life-defining year with NIVEA including training and real-life exposure of being a skincare influencer. 

Durban, South Africa. Uplifting and empowering young women into a career as an influencer is the objective of Skinfluencer. This is the latest campaign by global skincare brand, NIVEA, who has recognised the need for a fulfilling and self-sustainable vocation for young women. From a brand’s perspective it is beneficial to align with nano-influencers, as they can speak with authenticity to their community and build their followers' trust.

The Skinfluencer initiative was established during the stark reality of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on South Africa with the highest recorded unemployment rate of 30,8% in quarter 3 (Q3) of 20201. This translates to 6,5 million unemployed people. Women are most heavily affected with 32,3% of women unemployed compared to 29,6% of men.

2 A gloomy outlook for young women looking to enter the workforce. However, the e-commerce industry globally and locally is booming and is set for more exponential growth. A growth that will further increase the digital presence of brands and set the foundation for influencers to rise as leaders in their community.

3 There is the potential for influencers to earn a healthy living in their own self-led business when they are equipped to manage their image including their brand associations. In response, NIVEA designed and launched the Skinfluencer campaign to give 10 women who show promise as influencers in the skincare industry the wings to fly. The campaign began with a free online Masterclass in September 2020. An inspirational occasion for all aspiring female influencers to learn from and gain insights from our own home-grown local, pioneering and most influential influencers like Kefilwe Mabote, Kay Yarms and Thandolwethu Tsekiso.

After the masterclass, all attendees were invited to submit a one-minute video to showcase themselves and their signature style. A panel of judges, including brand representatives, chose their top 20 videos, from over 2500 entrants, and the public voted to choose the 10 winners. NIVEA SKINFLUENCER WINNERS WITH INSTAGRAM HANDLES

Nr.NameSurnameInstagram Handle
1KhweziMadlala@This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.@esihlendleleni4OfentseLekwane@ofentse lekwane5AnarzadeOmar@This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. JenifferMapoma@dineo_jeniffer8OfentseMolefe@Phenni_m9KatlehoMotaung@Katleho_Motaung_10SimoneKruger@simone_kruger_  These 10 winners will have the chance to build their own business and career as influencers through a year-long support programme from NIVEA. This learning experience includes skills development, hands-on work experience and invaluable industry exposure. Each finalist also received content creation tools like a laptop, smartphone, data package and cash prizes valued at a total of R70 000 per winner to help grow their natural social media flair into a reliable business. “For over 100 years NIVEA has been a household brand that people have come to know and trust and Skinfluencer is a natural progression for NIVEA to make the difference in lives through a digital platform," says NIVEA Marketing Manager, Mpume Ngwenya.

Follow the NIVEA Skinfluencers’ journey

Follow the NIVEA Skinfluencers on their journey by following @NIVEASouthAfrica on Instagram and @NIVEASA on Facebook using #NIVEASkinfluencer.