Basani Magadzi is the Managing Director and Founder of Baneli Perfumes Pty (Ltd), a manufacturer and supplier of quality oil based fine fragrances inspired by popular local and international brands, as well as customized fragrances.

Realizing her potential in the business industry, Basani tapped into her innovative abilities and saw it fit to take a leap of faith by resigning after 3 years of service at Nedbank as an Investment Administrator. Her entrepreneurial spirit would just not let long as she risked the security of a stable income for what she felt would be true freedom for her. Igama lamakhosikazi malibongwe – imbokodo.

Baneli Perfumes was founded in March of 2013. Baneli Perfumes has since rapidly grown in RSA and has extended its footprint crossing borders into Namibia, DR Congo, Zambia and Burundi just to name a few.

When we asked her what inspired her to get into the art of perfume making she said, “I’ve always loved perfume as well as the health and beauty industry. I used to buy perfume from a factory, and as more and more people asked me what I was wearing I decided to buy from the factory and resell. In 2012 the factory gave me a call to let me know that they’ll be closing down and moving to Europe, so I saw that as an opportunity to manufacture my own. I made a proposal to them to train me in making perfumes and they agreed and taught me. From then on, I haven’t stopped growing and perfecting my perfume making craft. I am standing strong and growing strong.”

She currently manufactures and packages her products by hand, which gives each product that added human touch, sort-after attention. “But, it can become exhausting”, she says, “ as I supply in bulk to different business owners”, she adds. She says she still needs machinery to assist in her production and it costs a fortune.

Asked what her greatest accomplishment to date has been she said, “It has to be the ability to help people to make their own living and to independently sustain themselves”. She concluded by saying, “Baneli Perfumes’ objective is not just to supply fragrances but also to empower. Baneli perfumes, currently, empowers 15 agents who sell these fragrances to their own market. These agents are ordinary people who were looking for an opportunity, and have now secured a steady income and have created their own home businesses. This company presents opportunities to young entrepreneurs to discover their footprint in their own market influencing them to become leaders in business by duplicating Baneli Perfumes’ business model and ethics of empowerment.”

Baneli Perfumes’ future goals and aspiration is to explore, enhance and to expand its product range as well as to breakout into new markets internationally. There is also a Vuka Darkie perfume range in association with Baneli in the pipeline, but shhhh, don’t say you heard from me.

For placing of orders and more visit www.baneliperfumes.com or call 0833864193.

By Themba Ka Mhlanga