Spotlight Feature: Meet 17-Year-Old Creative & Co-Founder of Soul Speaks – Khanyo Mbanjwa
- Chic-Tribe Digital
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
By Sarah Banda
Every now and then, we meet youmg trailblazers whose stories remind us that innovation has no age limit. At the Wellness Collective Hike, I had the privilege of meeting a mother who spoke with such pride and admiration about her daughter’s business that I knew instantly: this is a story our Chic-Tribe Digital Magazine community needed to hear.
That young woman is Khanyo Mbanjwa, a 17-year-old creative from Johannesburg whose passion, purpose, and heart-centered mission are reshaping how families and loved ones connect.
Who Is Khanyo Mbanjwa?
“My name is Khanyo Mbanjwa, and I’m a 17-year-old creative from Johannesburg, South Africa.”
At just 17, Khanyo is already balancing school, creativity, entrepreneurship, and leadership with a maturity far beyond her years. Whether she’s assisting her mom in building their brand Soul Speaks, developing product concepts, crafting ideas, or handling real-world business admin like invoicing and payments, she approaches each task with curiosity and commitment.
Outside of the business world, Khanyo is a lover of doodling, digital animation, gaming, swimming professionally, and spending time with her younger siblings. She describes herself as bubbly, open-minded, and trustworthy and it shows in the ease with which she connects with others.
Feedback fuels her growth, and she carries the powerful mantra by Frank Ocean:
“Work hard in silence, let success be your noise.”
Her dream? To one day look back knowing she tried, she learned, and she did it all with heart.
Introducing Soul Speaks: A Brand Built on Courage and Connection
Soul Speaks isn’t just a brand, it’s an invitation.
Khanyo and her mom, Nokwanda Khumalo, created a lifestyle brand committed to inspiring courageous conversations. Their flagship product, beautifully designed conversation cards, guides families, couples, and friends toward deeper, more meaningful, and more authentic communication.
In a world that’s always rushing, Soul Speaks encourages us to pause. To unpack. To ask. To hear. To feel.
Because real connection is the foundation of every healthy relationship.
“We aim to empower families to communicate openly and build lasting relationships through our thoughtfully designed conversation cards,” says Khanyo.
How Soul Speaks Was Born: A Journey Through Grief and Healing
Between 2020 and 2023, Khanyo lost her great-grandfather, grandfather, and grandmother. Before that, other close family members had also passed away. These losses carved a deep emotional imprint but they also gifted her a powerful realisation.
In the quiet moments after each loss, she noticed the conversations that would never happen.
The questions she would never ask.
The stories left unshared.
The silence that lingered.
“The pain wasn’t just in the loss—it was in the silence,” she reflects.
From that profound place of grief and healing, Soul Speaks was born. Together with her mother, they turned their pain into purpose. Their products now serve as tools that help others strengthen bonds, share memories, and speak the words that matter before it’s too late.
Where to Find Soul Speaks
Soul Speaks currently operates as an online store, delivering anywhere in South Africa within 48 hours.
Website: www.soulspeaks.co.za
Instagram: @soulspeaks_za
Facebook: SoulSpeaks
TikTok: @soul.speak23
If you’re a family looking to deepen communication, a couple wanting more intentional conversations, or a parent raising emotionally aware children, Soul Speaks is a brand worth exploring.
A Young Visionary to Watch
At Chic-Tribe Digital Magazine, we celebrate young women who are building, creating, and leading with intention and Khanyo is undoubtedly one to watch. Her story is a reminder that healing can spark innovation, connection can fuel purpose, and even the youngest voices can inspire powerful change.
We are honoured to spotlight her and cannot wait to see where her journey and Soul Speaks goes next.
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