Dr Lati Maloka is carving out a new future for black medical aesthetic professionals in South Africa through her groundbreaking work and unshakable dedication.
She is the founder of MASA Medical Aesthetics Spa, located in Forest Town, Johannesburg. MASA, which means “sunrise” in Sepedi, is more than just a spa—it’s a space where science, beauty, and wellness come together to restore confidence and celebrate African skin and hair in all its diversity.
With over 13 years of experience in aesthetic medicine, Dr Maloka originally focused on cosmetic treatments but has expanded her services to include wellness offerings for both the body and mind.
“My work goes far beyond just lasers, needles, and consultations,” she says. “I’m helping to reshape the idea of beauty and medicine for Africans. I see myself as a healer and a symbol of hope, especially for the next generation of African doctors.”
Dr Maloka was born and raised in Seshego, Polokwane. Her father worked as an accountant, and her mother was a school teacher. She describes herself as a tomboy who always dreamed of becoming a scientist. Encouraged by her mother, she studied medicine and earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
After working in traditional medical clinics, she felt drawn to aesthetic medicine. “As I got older, I saw that there were almost no African women in this field,” she says. “Botox and fillers were often viewed as fake, and I wanted to change that image. Aesthetic medicine can be empowering.”
Many in South Africa still don’t know that aesthetic medicine exists, Dr Maloka explains. People are familiar with dermatology and plastic surgery, but the field of aesthetic medicine is still overlooked—especially among black communities.
Determined to change this, Dr Maloka shares her story to inspire others. “I want young black girls and boys to see that there’s space for us in every part of medicine—even in the high-end world of aesthetics.”
She credits her husband as her biggest source of support over the past 15 years. “When I doubt myself, he’s the one reminding me that I can do this,” she says.
Dr Maloka also values the support of her broader community and pays tribute to the people who raised her. At MASA, she has created a loyal patient base built on trust and respect. “I’m building this not just for myself, but for those who never had access to care like this, and for families only now learning that aesthetic medicine is real and transformative,” she says.
As a doctor, a mother, and a black woman in medicine, Dr Maloka sees herself as a guardian. “I protect my patients’ dignity, my children’s self-belief, and the doors of opportunity for others who didn’t know this path existed,” she says. “It’s a responsibility I carry with pride.”
Through her work, Dr Lati Maloka is redefining what it means to be a black aesthetic doctor and business owner in South Africa. She’s challenging outdated ideas of beauty and opening doors for future generations—one patient, one story, and one treatment at a time.
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