Connie Mashaba: Biography, Age, Entrepreneur

Connie Mashaba (born 7 October 1961) is a South African businesswoman and entrepreneur. She is known as the former president of Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), and for being the Managing Director and co-founding of Black Like Me with her husband Herman Mashaba.

Biography: Connie Mashaba

Full Name: Constance Matshaga Maluka

Place of Birth: Seabe Village, Hammaskraal

Date of Birth: October 7, 1961 (Age - 64)

Occupation: Businesswoman

Spouse: Herman Mashaba

Children: 2 children (Rhulani & Khensani)

Nationality: South African

Early Life and Education of Connie Mashaba

Connie was born as Constance Matshaga Maluka in a small village of Seabe in the northern part of Hammanskraal. Her father worked a nine to five job Lindsay Saker, a courier company, but also supplemented his salary working secretly transporting parcel from the city to the village. She described her family background as that of entrepreneurs considering her mother who ran a shabeen and sold fatcooks (vetkoeks) and father’s side hustles.

During her high school days while competing for a beauty pageant competition at Hans Kekana High School, Connie met Herman Mashaba. The two began dating and later got married in 1982.

After completing her high school studies, she pursued her tertiary education at the University of South Africa where she graduated with a Honours in Business Management. In 2021 she graduated from the University of Witwatersrand specifically Wits Business School with an MBA. To further her understanding in business and leadership, Connie attended Harvard Business School.

Business Career of Connie Mashaba

Connie Mashaba business career began in 1984 when she co-founded Black Like Me company with her husband Herman Mashaba. The company was started with R30,000 which they had borrowed from friends and was officially launched the following year on Valentine’s Day. After the company began operations, Connie became involved with day to day operations and bookkeeping. She later became the company’s Managing Director making the company to reach new heights.

The businesswoman Connie Mashaba proved to be very ambitious as she later became the president of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry until she resigned in esrly 2026.

Connie is also into helping upcoming businessman and women. She sponsored the Field Band Foundation in Dobsonville helping to establish upcoming business persons.

Awards and Recognition

In March 2026, Connie Mashaba received the Forbes Africa Businesswoman of the Year award at the Forbes Africa Leading Women Summit held in Sandton.

Personal Life of Connie Mashaba

Connie Mashaba got married to businessman turned politician Herman Mashaba in 1982 after they had met at Hans Kekana High School in Hammanskraal. After years in marriage, Connie and her husband were blessed with two children; their son Rhulani and daughter Khensani.

Connie credits her long-lasting marriage to mutual respect and encourage young couples to build life together. Her husband Herman Mashaba who is the founder of a political party ActionSA often refer to her as “the first lady”.

Apart from marriage life and business, Connie love playing golf and often visits the golf course on weekends.