About the house
A South African luxury collective, woven by one woman's vision.
Lonja Group is a proudly 100% Black-owned business founded in 2018 by Nomonde Matandela. What began as a beauty studio in Fourways has grown into a five-house collective spanning beauty, education, automotive care, African cuisine and home fragrance.
CEO / Founder
Nomonde Matandela
Nomonde Matandela is a South African entrepreneur, businesswoman and community developer from Matatiele, in the Eastern Cape. As founder and CEO of Nomonde Lonjas Solutions (Pty) Ltd, she is the driving force behind the Lonja Group — a 100% Black-owned collective spanning beauty, hospitality, training and automotive services.
What began as a single chair has grown into a multi-house business that today employs over 120 people across South Africa. Her work is anchored in a deep commitment to youth empowerment, skills development and creating real pathways into entrepreneurship for the next generation.
120+
Jobs created
5
Houses of craft
2018
Founded
Established in 2018, Lonja Group today brings together five distinct houses under one Afro-modern standard of craft:
- Lonja Beauty Studio
- Lonja Beauty Academy
- Lonja Car Wash
- Braai African Cuisine
- N&M Scent Diffuser by Lonja
"We build beauty, careers and community. Every guest who walks through our doors should feel the same standard of care, every time."
The journey
From one chair to a collective.
2018
Lonja Group is established
Nomonde Matandela founds Lonja Group with a vision: African luxury, by Africans, for the world.
2022
Beauty Studio · Fourways
The flagship opens in Fourways, setting a new standard for natural-hair specialist salons in Joburg.
2023
Diversification begins
Lonja Car Wash, Braai African Cuisine and the N&M Scent Diffuser line are introduced under the group.
2024
Beauty Studio · Randburg Square
The second branch opens inside Randburg Square Mall, doubling the studio's footprint.
Today
A national vision
Lonja Group is expanding across South Africa, creating jobs and pathways for the country's youth.
What we stand for
The Lonja standard.
Craft over speed
Every silk press, every plate, every polish, finished to a standard worth returning for.
Hospitality first
Whether you came for braids or a braai, you should leave feeling looked after.
Build people
Our Academy turns talent into careers. Every new hire is a story being authored.
Proudly South African
Afro-modern in every detail, from the music to the menu to the materials.
Find us
Two Johannesburg homes.
Both branches operate seven days a week with extended evening hours.
Opened 2022
Lonja Beauty Studio, Fourways
Fourways, Johannesburg
- Phone
- 010 065 1949
- Hours
- Mon – Sat · 09:00 – 19:00
Opened 2024
Lonja Beauty Studio, Randburg Square
Randburg Square Mall, Randburg, Johannesburg
- Phone
- 010 061 0316
- Hours
- Mon – Sun · 09:00 – 19:00
Want to work with Nomonde and the Lonja team?
We're always open to collaborations, press enquiries and partnership opportunities across South Africa.