Sorbet Employee Turns Franchise Owner in Major Empowerment Milestone
Sorbet Employee Turns Franchise Owner in Major Empowerment Milestone. Long serving Sorbet Citizen Zelma Matinise has officially taken ownership of the Sorbet Howard Centre franchise, marking a milestone in her 12 year journey with the beauty brand. The handover forms part of the Bidvest Bank Sorbet Preneur initiative, a programme designed to support Sorbet employees from historically disadvantaged backgrounds in becoming franchise owners.
The initiative is a partnership between Sorbet Group and Bidvest Bank. It provides half of the required start up capital as a grant from Bidvest Bank, while the remaining half is structured as a repayable business loan. Participants also receive a 12 month mentorship programme supported by both partners.
Matinise joined Sorbet in 2014 as a SEW candidate, part of the Sorbet Empowering Wo Men programme. She progressed from a Level 5 Nail Technician at Sorbet Cavendish Mall and continued developing her skills with the goal of one day owning a franchise. Her advancement reflects years of training, experience, and ongoing professional development within the brand.
Speaking about the achievement, Matinise described the opportunity as a dream realised and acknowledged the role Sorbet and Bidvest Bank played in her development as a business professional. She said she aims to build a strong team and support the growth of others within the brand.
Linda Sinclair, head of Beauty and Wellness Investments at Clicks Group, said Matinise’s journey demonstrates what can be achieved when education, support, and opportunity align. Bidvest Bank managing director Andile Mazwai said the partnership enables women to access funding, mentorship, and business resources.
Matinise’s franchise handover is the sixth completed through the Bidvest Bank Sorbet Preneur programme. The programme continues to focus on empowering women, expanding access to entrepreneurship, and creating pathways for long term career growth within the Sorbet network, while strengthening collaboration between the brand and its financial partner over the years.
