‘Bloom where you are planted.’ Few embody this spirit more vividly than Langa Sibanda (LS). As a young melanin model in the 90s, she faced a painful realisation, the beauty industry had little to offer women with rich melanin skin like hers.

“It bothered me a lot,” she recalls. “Every now and then they would mix all sorts of things to try and find something that could suit my skin. And I thought, why is my skin being left behind? Why is my skin an afterthought?”

Rather than allowing the industry’s neglect to define her, Langa decided to change the narrative. Her struggle to find suitable foundation for her beautiful melanin complexion became the seed for House of Langa, a proudly Zimbabwean brand specialising in natural mineral makeup, heritage-inspired skincare and a new food line rooted in sustainability. Today, she stands as a passionate entrepreneur, proving that adversity can be the richest soil for blooming.

My Afrika Magazine reporter, Whitney Sibanda (WS), sat down with Langa to explore her journey from Miss Universe 1996 to building a global brand that proudly celebrates African beauty and elegance.

WS: How did being selected for the She Exporters Programme elevate House of Langa’s visibility and credibility as a women-led brand?

LS: When ZimTrade approached me, to be honest, I thought, no, I am too tired. What do you want?, but joining the She Exporters Programme became transformative. I had no idea the amount of work I needed to do for my product to be export ready. We were taught about compliance, standards, finance things we often overlook as women in business. ZimTrade made me realise House of Langa has potential not just for Zimbabwe, but for the world.

WS: What were the most impactful business strategies or global market insights you gained during the programme?

LS: Simple things like understanding that a product that works here might melt in Dubai’s heat. You have to think about labelling, regulations, even languages like labelling in Arabic if you want to export there.

Thanks to the technical experts ZimTrade provided, I now approach business with an international perspective.

WS: How has the programme helped you reimagine House of Langa not just as a fashion label, but as a global business?

LS: They exposed us to buyers in Cape Town, to people in the same industry. They made connections for us. Now, we are not just thinking locally, we are thinking globally.

WS: What advice would you give to other female entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses beyond their borders?

LS: Work at it. Listen to advice from those who have done it. Perfect your craft. Know your numbers. Know who you are, what you stand for, and what your value proposition is. Do not rush, if your product is not ready, make it right before you go out into the world.

WS: You were part of Miss Universe 1996, what did that moment represent for you then, and how do you reflect on it now?

LS: I represented Zimbabwe in Las Vegas and met Donald Trump!
Back then, it was such a proud moment. Now, I realise how much that experience shaped me.

WS: In what ways did the Miss Universe experience shape your confidence, style and entrepreneurial mindset?

LS: Miss Universe gave me confidence. It exposed me to different cultures, helped me appreciate diversity, and taught me that beauty comes in many forms. All of that influences how I run House of Langa today.

WS: Are there elements from your Miss Universe journey that influence your designs or business philosophy today?

LS: Absolutely. My insistence on excellence, on not cutting corners, it comes from those early experiences of wanting to stand out and represent Zimbabwe with pride.

WS: What message do you think House of Langa sends to the world about African elegance, then and now?

LS: That our beauty, our ingredients, our traditions are enough more than enough. House of Langa shows the world that African elegance is powerful, natural and enduring.

WS: What were some of the earliest challenges you faced as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome them?

LS: Twelve years ago, people were more interested in imported products. Convincing people to support a Zimbabwean mineral makeup brand was tough. But over time, as we kept our standards high, people started believing in us.

WS: What drives your resilience as a businesswoman in a competitive, often male-dominated industry?

LS: I am very fussy about standards and quality. I always say, thrive for excellence. Do not cut corners. If you cheat your customers, you cheat yourself.

WS: How have you built a team or ecosystem around House of Langa that supports your long-term vision?

LS: We work closely with communities who grow our ingredients. We pay fair prices and make sure sustainability is built into everything we do whether it is skincare, makeup or food.

WS: How do you define success has that definition changed from when you first started to now?

LS: Now, success means creating products that are good for our customers and our communities. It is not just about making money it is about making an impact.

WS: What inspired you to branch out into beauty products, and how do they complement the fashion side of House of Langa?

LS: It all comes from the same philosophy, celebrating African beauty, heritage and healing. Our mineral makeup, skincare and food lines are all connected through the ingredients and our story.

WS: What is unique about your beauty line — are there signature ingredients, cultural inspirations or values that set it apart?

LS: We use heritage ingredients  the same ones our forefathers used and elevate them into modern products. Like Kalahari melon seed oil, which we use for skincare and also turn into jams and condiments to minimise waste.

WS: How do you ensure that your products reflect the same authenticity and excellence that your brand is known for?

LS: We thrive for excellence in everything we do. Whether it is makeup, skincare or food, we focus on authenticity, quality and respect for our ingredients and our customers.

WS: Can we expect future collaborations or innovations in the beauty space perhaps something international?

LS: Absolutely. We have already formulated an SPF50 sunscreen for black skin that does not leave it looking ashy or grey. Innovation for us means using local ingredients to create world-class products.

WS: Who do you credit for your success whether it is a mentor, a family member, a life experience or your faith?

LS: My mother. She was not educated, but she was financially smart. She made me realise that business is possible and allowed me to dream as a girl child.

WS: Looking back on your journey  from Miss Universe to globally-minded entrepreneur what are you most proud of?

LS: That I tried. I want people to know that she tried. She did not give up.

Langa Sibanda’s story is a testament to resilience, vision and a proud celebration of melanin beauty. From her own skin struggles to building a global brand rooted in African excellence, she continues to bloom magnificently where she was first planted  and the world is finally blossoming with her.