If you have ever spent time in the beauty section at Woolworths Walmer Park, chances are you already know Waheeda Williams.
Known and loved by customers and colleagues alike, Waheeda is one of those people who makes a space feel welcoming before she ever says a word. It is this warmth, paired with years of experience and quiet leadership, that recently saw her invited to speak at the first Women’s Circle event of the year, hosted at the Beach Hotel.
There, she shared her story with honesty, humour and a reminder that growth does not need permission, perfect timing or a straight path.
From Durban to Gqeberha
Born in Durban, Waheeda moved to Gqeberha at the age of 12. While her mother was originally from the city, the move was not an easy one. She has spoken openly about rebelling at the time, not out of defiance, but because she missed her family and the sense of belonging she had left behind.
Those early experiences shaped her independence and resilience, even if she did not recognise it at the time.
Becoming an Adult Too Soon
At 18, after falling pregnant, Waheeda got married young and stepped into adulthood far earlier than most. Motherhood arrived quickly, bringing responsibility, pressure and the need to grow up fast.
Like many young women, she found herself learning life’s hardest lessons while already in motion.
The Job She Never Applied For
One of Waheeda’s first career turning points happened unexpectedly. She accompanied a friend to a job interview, only to be offered a position herself, despite not having applied.
It was an early moment of affirmation, one that showed her that others could see potential in her before she fully believed in it herself.
She went on to work at Red Square in her twenties, later moving to Edgar’s in Main Street as a cellphone consultant. Alongside this, she completed beauty training and began consulting. The women she met during this time became more than clients. They became her network.
Finding Strength Through Other Women
As a young working mother with two toung daughters, Waheeda noticed that many of the women around her shared the same insecurities and self doubt she carried herself. Instead of competition, she found connection.
This became a recurring theme in her life. Women supporting women was not a slogan. It was something she lived daily.
Career Rising, Personal Life Unravelling
As Waheeda’s career began gaining momentum, her personal life was moving in the opposite direction. An already rocky marriage became more strained as she invested more time into building a future for herself and her family.
When her husband wanted her to leave her job, the pressure came to a head. What should have been a period of professional growth became one marked by emotional conflict and difficult choices. Waheeda chose her career and her independence. The marriage ended in divorce.
That decision carried a heavy emotional weight. She has spoken openly about feeling that she had disappointed her parents during this time, a feeling that stayed with her long after the separation. It was not only the end of a marriage, but the sense that she had failed expectations placed on her before she had the chance to define herself fully.
Still, it was during this period that she made a quiet but powerful decision. She would make life work, not only for herself, but for her daughters.
Matriculating Together
Waheeda continued working, moving through roles at Walmer Park and building stability for her family. A defining milestone came when her youngest daughter matriculated. In many ways, Waheeda matriculated too.
That moment became a turning point. She enrolled at university, determined to keep growing alongside her children. Balancing work, study and single motherhood was demanding, and eventually she had to step away from her studies. It was not failure, but survival. Life required her attention elsewhere.
Being Headhunted and Proving Herself
Waheeda’s experience and reputation did not go unnoticed. She was headhunted into a leadership role at CNA, where she became a store manager. It was a position that recognised her ability to lead, mentor and build strong teams.
Her journey later led her to Woolworths, working across food and clothing before finding her home in beauty. At Woolworths Walmer Park, she became known not only for her professionalism, but for how she made people feel.
She loved events, pushed boundaries and often proved herself before being given the budget to do so. Many women still remember the Woolworths goodie bags she curated, small but intentional gestures that reflected her belief in celebrating women and creating spaces where women felt seen and valued.
A Shared Legacy With Her Daughters
Today, both of Waheeda’s daughters are professionals who can regularly be seen supporting their mothers endeavors. She speaks with deep gratitude about how they have helped her grow, just as she helped them grow.
Their journeys are intertwined, shaped by mutual respect, encouragement and resilience. It is a shared legacy built over years of showing up for one another.
Still Studying, Still Pushing
True to who she is, Waheeda is currently back at university. She is still studying, still learning and still pushing boundaries.
At the Women’s Circle event, she shared a philosophy that resonated deeply with those in the room. Start how you mean to finish. You do not have to be at your lowest before someone lifts you up. Growth can begin wherever you are standing.
Waheeda Williams’ story is not about perfection or linear success. It is about persistence, reinvention and choosing to keep going, even when the path is unclear. It is a story many women in the Bay will recognise, and one worth telling.
Leave a Reply