Zak'cent is one of the brands that stands out in the fragrance industry as a proudly South African perfume brand with a distinct story. Founded by Zakhele Mahlangu, the brand's name is a clever blend of his first name, "Zak," and the word "scent." Their journey is a tale of passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, inspired by global influences but rooted in local pride.
Zakhele Mahlangu, born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, vividly recalls the early inspiration for his brand. “I can still remember the scent of my mother as she prepared to go to work. She would leave the house smelling so good and looking so good in her outfit,” he shares. This memory of his mother's perfume lingered with him, sparking an early interest in the art of fragrance.
The initial seeds for Zak’cent were sown during a trip to Paris in 2015. Mahlangu visited a suburb famous for its many perfume houses, and the experience was transformative. “I felt like a kid in a candy store,” he recalls. “Being in that place, I knew I’d finally found my passion.” But turning that passion into a business was not without its challenges.
Starting Zak’cent was a journey filled with obstacles. One of the major hurdles was sourcing the right ingredients locally. “Initially, we did not find the active ingredients we needed,” Mahlangu explains. “We had to look hard and sometimes custom design our bottles and other parts of our packaging.” Despite these challenges, the first batch of Zak’cent perfumes received overwhelmingly positive reviews. This early success fuelled Mahlangu’s determination, and from that moment, he never looked back.
Since its inception, Zak’cent has evolved significantly. The brand now sources oils from around the world, creating a unique combination that defines its final products. “Our feedback and reviews made us realize that perfumes are unisex,” Mahlangu says. “We believe that scent does not have a gender. Anyone can smell unique.” This belief has led Zak’cent to develop gender-neutral fragrances that resonate with a diverse audience.
When asked about the most loved product in the Zak’cent range, Mahlangu finds it difficult to choose. “Picking our favourite scent is like asking a parent which one of his children is his favourite,” he says with a smile. The current range includes a variety of creative scents, each designed to match different moods and moments. Zak’cent’s innovative approach even extends to its packaging, offering a set of nine scents in small, airline-sized bottles, allowing customers to wear a different fragrance every day for nine days.
Zak’cent’s success has not only been limited to South Africa. With a physical store in Johannesburg’s CBD and plans to open a new location in Menlyn, Pretoria, the brand is on the rise. “We have an online presence, and our customers can easily buy our products from our online store,” Mahlangu notes. But Zak’cent’s ambitions do not stop there. “Our future plans include expanding our brand globally by exporting it to markets outside South Africa.”
As Zakhele Mahlangu continues to steer Zak’cent towards greater heights, the brand remains a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. With each new scent, Zak’cent not only adds to its collection but also to the rich tapestry of South Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit. Indeed, Zak’cent is not just a perfume brand; it’s a scent of a lifestyle.