Chris Stofberg’s 2025 Round-up and Wrap

We’re on the cusp of heading towards 2030. A crazy thought, right? Or is it? That all depends how we look at the passing of time.

Over the past twelve months I’ve experienced a few significant moments that have made me pause and reflect on my life: turning sixty, walking the last of my two daughters down the aisle and becoming a grandfather!

Realising that I’m entering the third chapter of my life, (with plans for a fourth!) and holding this new little life, an absolute bundle of joy and love, in my arms, reminded me just how fragile and precious life is. I want to be around to see her grow up and to be there for her throughout her life. I’m sure many of you have experienced similar feelings as you reach certain milestones of your own. 

With this mindset, I’ve been reflecting on the passage of time and how we choose to deal with it. There are so many beautiful moments in our past, and many still ahead of us, but we only ever experience them in the now. For that reason, I’m grateful for today. Without being reckless, I absolutely do NOT dwell on past mistakes, appreciate the present and worry less about the future, and focus on looking after my health so that I can continue enjoying each day for as long possible. I wish the same for all of you.

It's been another eventful year at mhb as we continued to broaden our product portfolio. This expansion allows us to offer a wider variety of products, not only across price points, but also to cater to the diverse needs of our salon clients.  

From Wella Company we introduced Color Express and a new Nioxin Anti-Hairloss range. OPI launched its new Intelli-Gel while Reuzel Pomades and Sweet Professional received packaging upgrades. QiQi introduced the SelfCtrl range for home use, and we added the iconic Label M brand from Toni & Guy to our portfolio. We also launched the stylishly innovative new Keune Styling range, which is already making waves in the industry. In June, we celebrated 15 years of Kadus Professional in South Africa, having long ago reached the milestone of the most widely used lifestyle brand in South Africa.

We’re closing the year off with the launch of the new Auro No-Rush Dryer. It delivers premium performance at an accessible price and is specially designed to cater to South Africa’s diverse hair types – you will not be disappointed!

Our education team has worked non-stop throughout the year to bring you world-class educational support and events. Between January and the end of November we hosted 2522 training sessions amounting to 11621 stylist contact points. Highlights included kicking off the year with a four-day Creative Immersion at our Midrand studio with our 2025 Wella Color Expert participants and Wella Professionals Senior Ambassadors. Congratulations to everyone who graduated in October.

Winners of our NTVA 2023 attended the Wella Destination event in Malta in May, where Simone Badenhorst was awarded the trophy for winning the ITVA 2024 global title. This remarkable achievement makes her South Africa’s second global winner and showcases that our hairstylists can compete at the highest international level.

This year’s NTVA 2025 final event took place in Pretoria in November, with Lourens Van Dyk winning the Editorial Visionary Award and Doné Foti taking gold for the Transformational Visionary Award. Congratulations to both exceptionally talented young hairstylists.

Author and educator, Anthony J. D’Angelo says, “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” For those who take education seriously, the power of continuous learning is evident in its gift of endless personal and professional growth. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity, we invite you to join our education sessions in the new year. 

Stay safe this festive season. My wish for everyone is a healthy and happy 2026, and that you return recharged for a successful year ahead.

Chris Stofberg

Managing Director, mhb