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02 January 2020
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Story Valentino Ndaba
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Photo Anja Aucamp
Refilwe Xaba, the founder and CEO of Glolooks.
Refilwe Xaba, Senior Assistant Officer in Entrepreneurship Development at the UFS Centre for Development Support, is the founder and CEO of Glolooks. This Bloemfontein-based company manufactures and supplies an organic, natural hair product range.
When she first developed the products, they were for personal use. Xaba evolved from an intrapreneur to an entrepreneur. She innovated a personal solution into a booming business idea. It was only in May 2016 that she decided to go into business, following growing interest in the way she maintained her hair. “I officially started in-depth research in October 2015, after years of making concoctions for myself.”
Business and books
Xaba reckons that a research background is beneficial for growing a business such as Glolooks that has a huge technical aspect. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Entrepreneurship with a focus on marketing and is planning to use her business as a case study.
Her undergraduate, honours, and master’s studies, which she completed at Kovsies, contributed to equipping Xaba with skills to grow her business. She believes in balancing education and business. “I have always been commerce-orientated. If there is a problem to be fixed, I fix it. However, people are at the centre of my heart.”
Growing Glolooks
In 2019, Glolooks opened a salon in Westdene, where customers can receive a holistic experience above and beyond merely purchasing the product. Xaba says this is one of the ways her business is being innovative when it comes to creating relationships with customers.
2015 Open Day on Bloemfontein Campus inspires prospective students
2015-05-14
Photo: Charl Devenish |
“Here we use our minds and not muscles. We use reason and not rage.”
This is how Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), described what being a Kovsie is.
Prof Jansen welcomed thousands of prospective students and their parents to the Bloemfontein Campus on Saturday 9 May 2015 for the annual Open Day.
“Academics are everything. We don’t expect you to do well. We expect you to excel,” he said.
Prospective students got a taste of the #KovsieFeeling with a mind-dazzling laser show, a surprise performance by Micasa, the introduction of our sports champions, and an inspiring message from our SRC President, Mosa Leteane.
“When you are comfortable, you are not challenged. You can only learn to grow when you are uncomfortable.”
Visitors also had first-hand experience of how accessible Prof Jansen really is. At the Talk to Me gazebo outside his office, Prof Jansen dished up food while having a chat with parents. This gesture echoed Prof Jansen’s message: “If you want to be a decent human being, welcome to Kovsies.”
To all its visitors, the 2015 Kovsie Open Day, with all its fun and laughter, reflected the truth of the UFS as an academic institution that inspires excellence and transforms lives.
Even if you missed the Kovsie Open Day, be sure to grab the chance to study at our university, and ensure a lifetime of excellence and innovation. You can visit our Prospective Student webpage for more information.