Behind the magnificent floral creations at Love Laugh Floral and Décor Design is a team of creative women who are also ambitious, hardworking mothers. This Women’s Month, we get to know each member of the team a little better and find out what they love about the work they do, to add a little beauty to the lives of other women (and men) every day.

MEET THE WOMEN BEHIND THE FLOWERS:

Lindy Jele, Store Manager

Bubbly and professional, Love Laugh Store Manager, Lindy Jele, has become synonymous with the magnificent bouquets and wedding setups Love Laugh is best known for.
Lindy was born in Empangeni and grew up at Collisheen Estate, where her mother worked for most of her life. One of eight children, she matriculated from Nkosibomvu Secondary School, after which she started working at Collisheen. “I was a cleaner, then a waitress, and I worked my way up to a management position,” she says. Lindy stepped away from events in 2011 to sell life insurance but returned a few years later. After a stint as duty manager at a boutique, beachfront hotel, Lindy joined Love Laugh in 2021. “I didn’t know anything about flowers, but I had years of experience in events.” Lindy is now the Ballito store’s manager, and owner Cindy Rynhoud’s ‘2IC’ for all her weddings and events.

What do you love about your job and working for Love Laugh?
I love meeting new people every day. Sometimes our customers are happy, sometimes they are sad or tired … but flowers truly make a difference in their lives.

What is your favourite flower?
Alstroemeria, Tulips and Peony Roses.

What is your tip for choosing flowers for your wedding or special occasion?
Don’t be afraid of colour! Bright colours are very in fashion at the moment, and colourful flowers bring joy to an occasion.

Zukiwe Masinyane, Florist
Passionate about learning and personal growth, Zukiwe Masinyane is a mother of three and has been working in the flower industry for several years. She was born in a small village called Selwane in the Eastern Cape and moved to KwaZulu-Natal after completing school. Zukiwe’s first job was as a cleaner at a florist in Ballito. “I became curious about the flowers, and the owner taught me the names and how to do arrangements.” Zukiwe did her formal florist training in Durban and joined Love Laugh in 2017. She has also completed HR, reception and cashier courses. Zukiwe is 31 years old, has three children (aged 12, 8 and 2 years old), and she lives in Shakashead.

What do you love about your job and working with the team at Love Laugh?
It’s not just about working hard. We laugh a lot, too! I love working with Cindy and the team. Everyone is nice, and we have so much fun together. I also enjoy meeting new people every day and interacting with customers. I would say setting up for weddings and events is my favourite part of the job.

What is your favourite flower?
Peony Roses.

What is your number one tip for people when choosing flowers for their home?
Remember to cut your stems at an angle as soon as you get home and change your flowers’ water every three days.

Notha Ndlovu, Assistant Manager
Having worked her way up from a cleaner to Assistant Manager, 41-year-old Notha Ndlovu is determined and driven. And she loves people. Notha was born in Nkobongo, where she also grew up and completed her schooling. She is one of six children. After matric, she completed cashier and security guard courses in Durban and worked as a security guard before becoming a cleaner at a retail store. Her strong work ethic and friendly demeanour helped Notha work her way up to merchandiser – a position she held for more than nine years. Notha joined Love Laugh in 2022 and is now the Assistant Manager. “I love people, and I get along really well with all the staff,” she says. The mother of four lives in Shakaskraal and also has a 15-month-old grandchild.

What do you love about your job and working for Love Laugh?
I enjoy interacting with people every day – the staff and the customers. I also love the fact that what we do bring people happiness. They come to us when they are celebrating and when they are grieving … and our goal is to ensure each person leaves with a smile.

What is your favourite flower? Gypsophila (or Baby’s Breath), Cymbidium (which are orchid-like flowers), and, of course, Tulips!

What is your number one tip for people when choosing flowers for their home? Try to buy long-lasting, hardy flowers – it will save you money overall, and then you can always have flowers in your home!

Nozipho Ngcobo, Florist
Having only recently discovered an interest in flowers, 42-year-old Nozipho joined the Love Laugh team just over a year ago. Born in Empangeni, Nozipho completed a computer course after school and then worked as a cashier in a retail store in Richards Bay for five years. She moved to Stanger and got a job in retail in Ballito. “I was looking for a change and saw a position being advertised at Love Laugh, so I applied. I am enjoying learning about flowers.” Nozipho is married and has three children, aged 18, 8 and 4 years old.

What do you love about your job and working for Love Laugh?
I love working with flowers and making people happy. We meet so many different people every day, and our customers are great. I am still learning to create bouquets, but I’m enjoying the process. I also enjoy working at events, setting up the flowers and décor.

What is your favourite flower?
Alstroemeria (or Lily of the Incas).

What is your top tip for choosing flowers for your home?
Pick long-lasting flowers and greenery, such as Alstroemeria, Ruscus, Pennygum and Pin Cushion Proteas.   

Philisiwe Zungu, Store Assistant
A mother to two teenage girls, Philisiwe Zungu was born and raised in Matubatuba, a town just north of Richards Bay. One of four children, Philisiwe worked several ‘odd jobs’ after leaving school, before moving to Melville in Stanger. It was when she got a job at a Ballito-based weddings, events and décor hire business that Philisiwe started learning everything she knows about flowers and event set-ups. She stayed with the company for nine years, until the owner relocated to the Midlands. Philisiwe joined the Love Laugh team in March of this year. She lives in Melville with her two daughters, who are 19 and 14 years old.

What do you love about your job and working for Love Laugh?
I’m still quite new to the business, but everyone is kind and the customers are lovely. I am learning a lot. This is a wonderful place to work.

What is your favourite flower?
Tulips.

What is your number one tip for choosing flowers for your home?
Choose what makes you happy. We always try to advise our clients, but each person’s preferences are different.

Nozipho Nzuza, Store Assistant
Having started her working life as a chef, Nozipho never thought she would be working with flowers. Now, the young mother of two is loving the creative outlet her job affords her. Twenty-six-year-old Nozipho was born in Nkandla but grew up in Shakaskraal. She spent a few years of her childhood living in Johannesburg but moved back to start high school at Shakaskraal Secondary. She had her first baby at an early age, and her first job was as a chef at a local seafood restaurant. Her entrepreneurial spirit and determination to support her children (ages 11 and 7) led Nozipho to start her own small business, selling items that she buys in bulk. She joined Love Laugh last year and is excited to continue learning about flower arranging.

What do you love about your job and working for Love Laugh?
Although I never thought I would one day work with flowers, I am enjoying it. It gets busy sometimes, but the work is rewarding.

What is your favourite flower?
Orchids.

What is your tip for choosing flowers for your home?
Choose long-lasting flowers like Proteas, Strelitzias and Supernovas.

For more information on Love Laugh click here!