The San Hair is a South African hair brand founded by Nompumelelo “Mpumie” Madubedube and run by four sisters from Mthatha. Its celebrity reputation was built by The San Hair HD division, led by her sister Xola, whose clients have included DJ Zinhle, Lerato Kganyago and Lamiez Holworthy. The Penthouse in Sandton is ThePenthouse by The San HD.
Quick facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nompumelelo “Mpumie” Madubedube, an accountant by training (FASA) |
| Ownership | 100% Black, women-owned, run by four sisters from Mthatha, Eastern Cape (TrueLove) |
| HD division | The San Hair HD, launched in 2020 and led by Xola Madubedube (TrueLove) |
| Celebrity clients named in press | Lerato Kganyago, DJ Zinhle, Lamiez Holworthy (TrueLove) |
| Factory | Own factory in Midrand, opened in 2016 (FNB) |
| Recognition | Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Partners Limited’s 36th Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (FASA) |
| Sandton studio | The Penthouse Beauty Studio, launched at The Marc on 5 October 2024 |
How did The San Hair start?
Like many of the country’s best beauty businesses, it started small. Mpumie Madubedube trained as an accountant and began selling hair part-time, working from the boot of her car, according to FASA. Sources differ on the exact founding year, but the brand has now been building for over a decade.
It grew into a family business. TrueLove describes The San Hair as a 100% Black, women-owned company run by four sisters from Mthatha. By 2016 it had opened its own factory in Midrand, FNB reports. In January 2025, FASA reported that it had won Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year at Business Partners Limited’s 36th Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, with 15 salons, more than 200 staff and products stocked in Clicks (EOY also lists the win).
Who did The San Hair style? The DJ Zinhle story
The brand’s celebrity story is closely tied to Xola Madubedube. In 2019, TrueLove profiled Xola as DJ Zinhle’s hairstylist, then based at The San Hair in Midrand. (The article spells her surname “Madube”.)
DJ Zinhle explained how she found the brand in a moment many of us will recognise: “I had a shoot, and my hairstylist at the time cancelled at the last minute. I went online and discovered The San Hair.”
What kept the relationship going was creative trust. Xola told TrueLove that DJ Zinhle “is always willing to try new and vibrant colours”, and colour has remained part of the house signature ever since. A client who lets her stylist experiment is how bold looks get made.
Lerato Kganyago, Lamiez Holworthy and the HD era
In 2020 the family launched The San Hair HD, a premium division led by Xola. In its 2024 profile of the brand, TrueLove named Lerato Kganyago, DJ Zinhle and Lamiez Holworthy among The San Hair’s celebrity clients, and reported that Xola travels to install premium units for celebrities at events such as the Cape Town Met and the Durban July.
Those events are a serious test of any install. There is sun, wind, long hours and photographers at close range. A hairline has to survive an entire day, not a ten-minute shoot, and that discipline shapes how our stylists approach every install today.
Wigs for a similar look
Each one can be installed and styled by our stylists in Sandton. Split the cost into interest-free instalments with PayFlex or PayJustNow at checkout.
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Get 100% Off On Your Install Zoe 24″
R17,900.00 -
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageZendeya Highlights
R12,250.00 -
Sale!
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageZendeya 20″ (13×4)
Price range: R4,160.00 through R4,480.00
What does The San Hair believe about wigs?
In a November 2024 interview with IOL, Mpumie spoke about where demand is heading: lace, glueless and full-frontal wigs, thinner lace that can be worn without glue, and a return of sew-ins. She also warned that “One incorrect wash…can ruin your wig”. It is a simple line, but it sums up the house view: the quality of the hair matters, and so does what happens to it after you buy it.
That philosophy explains why The Penthouse pairs its wig collection with installs, customisation and wig treatments under one roof. You can read more on what makes The Penthouse different.
How The Penthouse fits into The San Hair story
The Penthouse Beauty Studio is the Sandton home of The San HD, trading as ThePenthouse by The San HD. It opened at The Marc on Rivonia Road, Sandown, on 5 October 2024. Mihlali Ndamase invited her followers in an Instagram reel: “Join us at The Penthouse, at the Marc in Sandton this Saturday, 5th of October 11am for @thesanhd new store launch ✨”
Omuhle Gela was there too, posting on Instagram: “Last night celebrating the launch of ThePenthouse by @thesanhd hope y’all are ready for a treat! Full Glam @thesanhd”. For the fuller history, read the story behind The Penthouse by The San HD.
The new generation of Penthouse looks
Since the launch, several well-known South African women have credited the studio by name on Instagram:
- Mihlali Ndamase: “Sew in: @thepenthousebeautystudio” (Instagram).
- Zola Nombona: “Glam: @thepenthousebeautystudio” (Instagram).
- Siyabunny: “Hair & makeup: @thepenthousebeautystudio” (Instagram).
You can see client work, beyond the famous faces, in our portfolio.
Bringing the San HD approach to your own hair
You do not need a red carpet to borrow the thinking behind it. Three lessons from the brand’s celebrity work translate directly to everyday clients:
- Start with good hair. A unit can only be styled as well as the hair allows. Our wig collection lists the hair type, lace and length on every product page.
- Do not be afraid of colour. DJ Zinhle’s willingness to experiment is a reminder that colour can transform a look. Units such as Zoe 24″, R17,900 (4 × R4,475 with PayFlex), a balayage with a dark root melting into honey brown, or Zendeya Highlights, from R7,658 (from 4 × R1,914.50 with PayFlex), give you dimension without dyeing your own hair.
- Protect the install. Event-grade installs depend on preparation, precise lace work and aftercare, not luck.
Visit the Sandton home of The San HD
From a car boot to celebrity installs at the Met, The San Hair has built its name one hairline at a time. If you want that standard for your own hair, book an install or consultation on Fresha, or send our stylists a reference photo on WhatsApp.
Want a look like this?
Send us a photo of the look you love. Our stylists will match the unit, install and glam to you.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns The San Hair?
The San Hair was founded by Nompumelelo "Mpumie" Madubedube, an accountant by training, according to FASA. TrueLove describes it as a 100% Black, women-owned business run by four sisters from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. Her sister Xola Madubedube leads The San Hair HD division, launched in 2020.
Which celebrities use The San Hair?
In its 2024 profile of the brand, TrueLove named Lerato Kganyago, DJ Zinhle and Lamiez Holworthy as celebrity clients. In 2019, TrueLove also profiled Xola as DJ Zinhle's hairstylist. Since The Penthouse opened, Mihlali Ndamase, Zola Nombona and Siyabunny have credited the studio on Instagram.
Who is DJ Zinhle's hairstylist?
In 2019, TrueLove reported that DJ Zinhle's hairstylist was Xola of The San Hair in Midrand. DJ Zinhle said she discovered the brand online after her previous stylist cancelled before a shoot. Xola now leads The San Hair HD division, whose Sandton studio is The Penthouse.
Is The Penthouse part of The San Hair?
Yes. The Penthouse Beauty Studio trades as ThePenthouse by The San HD and is the Sandton home of The San Hair HD. It opened at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Road, Sandown, on 5 October 2024, and offers wigs, installs, customisation and beauty services.
What awards has The San Hair won?
In January 2025, FASA reported that The San Hair won Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year at Business Partners Limited's 36th Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. At the time, the brand had 15 salons, more than 200 staff, a Midrand factory and products stocked in Clicks.
Sources
- TrueLove/News24 — Meet the brains behind The San Hair, Mpumie Madubedube
- TrueLove/News24 — DJ Zinhle's hairstylist shares her styling secrets
- FASA — The San Hair wins Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year
- EOY — 2024 EOY winner Nompumelelo Madubedube
- IOL — The San Hair's Nompumelelo Madubedube on top wig trends and success
- FNB — Customer stories: The San Hair
- Instagram — Mihlali Ndamase, launch invite reel
- Instagram — Omuhle Gela, launch night post
- Instagram — Mihlali Ndamase, sew-in by The Penthouse
- Instagram — Zola Nombona, glam by The Penthouse
- Instagram — Siyabunny, hair and makeup by The Penthouse
Written by The Penthouse Beauty Studio team at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Rd, Sandown, Sandton. Prices are in rand, include VAT and were correct at the time of publishing.
