I'm Cindy,
and this is my story...
born
I don’t necessarily think of my childhood as unique…
...but I do believe that God intends incredible greatness for each of us. I’ve always felt that He places opportunities along our path — if we keep our eyes and hearts open, recognise them when they appear, and are willing to work hard.
I was born in the first military hospital in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. During delivery, the doctors left a small dent in my head with the forceps they used — a mark I’ve always hidden beneath my glorious mane of brown hair. It’s a little reminder of where I come from.
I’m the daughter of two hardworking parents who did their best and gave us a good life. We never went without.
But that little brown-eyed, singing, dancing Afrikaans girl had a sparkle in her eye and a dream in her heart.
Ordinary life wasn’t going to be enough for me — I wanted to be a star!
CROWNED
But… the real beginning was much smaller — the Little Miss Valentine competition at a local restaurant, where I won a three-month course at a small modelling school. That’s where it all began.
I fell in love with the stage, the industry, and the entire process. I quickly realised that modelling and pageants were a fast, fun, lucrative and rewarding way to build a career. I made it my mission to meet everyone who could be an important connection, to research everything I could, remember names, and cultivate relationships with leaders, mentors, and role models.
Combined with my Afrikaans upbringing — being taught to stay humble and grateful — and an insatiable eagerness to learn, grow, and work hard, this mindset made it easy and exciting for others to want to work with me and help me climb the ladder.
Winning Miss South Africa, and later placing as second runner-up at Miss Universe 2003, was without a doubt the biggest turning point in my life. It opened hundreds of doors and led me to where I am today.
I was lucky enough to be offered an opportunity as a TV presenter on the popular South African lifestyle show “Pasella.” I worked on the show for over 12 years, and it opened the door to a 20-year career in television and reality entertainment — spanning everything from the 2010 Soccer World Cup to Survivor Santa Carolina, Strictly Come Dancing, The Wedding Bashers, and more.
After my Miss South-Africa Year...
FAMED
My television career lead to over 70 magazine covers, brand endorsements, modelling contacts, travels and opportunities I could never have even dreamt about and finally to meeting my husband and having all the businesses I have today.
Starting from the bottom and working my way up to CEO of Cosmetix was one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. I began working alongside my husband as Marketing Manager, and later took over as Chief Executive Officer, leading a team of more than 100 people. Together, we built the essence and Catrice makeup brands into the #1 and #5 best-selling cosmetics brands in South Africa in both volume and value.
MARKETING
MANAGER
CEO
to
After selling Cosmetix in 2023, our family decided to explore the world and begin building the essence and Catrice beauty ranges in Australia — where they were not yet well-known brands.
We still commute often to our beloved South Africa and are enjoying the adventure of growing our new business, Good Clean Beauty Co.
Good Clean Beauty Co. is a Melbourne-based company committed to providing beauty products that are safe, effective, sustainable, cruelty-free, and conscious.
Entrepreneur
FOUNDER
DIRECTOR
Ace Models is Africa’s premier modelling academy, offering a unique and profitable opportunity to suitably passionate and experienced individuals.
Ace Models is coming soon to Australia.
Over the years, we have launched numerous models into highly successful national and international careers. Our focus is on empowering young people by teaching them essential life skills, grooming, and building their self-confidence.
While our primary mission is to empower the youth, we also educate aspiring individuals about the modelling, pageant, and media industries, and have celebrated many success stories over the years — including Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (Miss South Africa and Miss Universe 2017), Chane Husselman (International Model), and Lizelle Esterhuizen (Miss Namibia).
Women4Women’s goal is to empower, uplift, and upskill young girls with essential knowledge such as sexual and menstrual education, confidence building, awareness of their rights, and guidance on how to seek help and avoid GBV (Gender-Based Violence).
We aim to help girls stay in school, avoid early pregnancy, access support services, stay safe, apply for work, become entrepreneurs, save money, practice good grooming, develop public speaking skills, and gain other much-needed — yet often neglected — life skills within less fortunate communities.
W4W is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged and previously disadvantaged women and children in South Africa.
“I have always believed that being famous is pointless if you cannot use your name and influence to give back and do good. I started Women4Women as an extension of that belief — to use my life and experiences to make someone else’s life better, whether it’s through free sanitary pads or life-skills programmes.
I have a heart to serve, to give back, and to do good — and I encourage everyone who can give to share their time and skills to empower women.
We are all teachers, and we must help one another. Empower one woman, and she will empower and uplift an entire village.
Women are the cornerstone of a healthy society — they raise the boy child and the girl child; they are both the leaders and the nurturers.”
CINDY NELL-ROBERTS
UPLIFT
I learn so much from them, every day. They inspire me to be a better person, to elevate my life and to want to achieve more amazing things. They inspire me to want to be proud of my life and the person I am.
It's not always easy, in fact, it’s very challenging. I fail all the time, but when I succeed, even the smallest joys and the briefest laughter, make it all worth it.
My daughter, Aenea, is already an influencer, please follow and support her dream here
My son, Ethan, whom I have no doubt will be a famous and highly successful negotiator for the FBI one day, inspires me daily to step it up…
Being a mom to my two beautiful children is my greatest honour.
-MUM'S-
the word
-MUM'S THE WORD-
Together with life coaches and a conscious approach to my own development, I like to think I have transformed my body, soul and trajectory.
I believe with all my heart that I have just recently been called for even greater things and that the first chapter of my life, my successes, learnings and feedback (there is no such thing as failure there is only feedback 😊) have been to prepare me for this next chapter of my life.
I am simply stepping it up.
I want to live this life to the absolute maximum.
For the past 4 years I have been dedicated to my personal growth.
UP
Stepping it
MOON
to the
I'm going to continue to dream big, put my head down and make incredible things happen, continue to observe, learn and grow. Big things are happening, big things are coming. It's only impossible until someone does it…
… I aspire to build businesses and people internationally, be my children’s greatest support system and growth driver, exposing them to international platforms and experience and to use my platform to inspire and uplift others whether it be in the smaller ways through makeup and beauty or empowering minds and hearts to reach for the moon!
So, I’m keeping my ears open to listen carefully to what God/the Universe asks of me.
Making the world more
BEAUTIFUL
When I leave a place, an event or a person, I want them to be better off than when I came.
I want to make the world a more beautiful place wherever I go.
CURRENTLY
Reading...
Watching...
Drinking...
Listening...
The company I keep - Leanord Lauder
Stand-up comedy - anything going on TV - I love to laugh!
Turmeric and ginger shots as often as possible
“Everything is teachable” - whatever is going that day and Esther Perel