Behind the serene ambiance and luxurious treatments of five-star beauty therapy lies an intricate balance of brainpower and emotional intelligence. Robyn-Lee Jantjies, a 31-year-old beauty therapist and manager at Amani Spa and Wellness in Gqeberha’s Radisson Blu hotel, is redefining the profession in more ways than one.
“A lot of people don’t know this,” Jantjies says. “A big part of our training is learning about anatomy, physiology, and understanding the skin. You need to study the functions of the entire body – how muscles work, how skin works, even the finer points of epilation (hair removal).”
With her extensive experience treating clients across the globe, Jantjies is shattering stereotypes about beauty therapy. As a young woman of color, she’s paving the way for others while playing an instrumental role in the overall service offering at one of the Eastern Cape’s premier beachfront hotels.
A Journey from the High Seas to Leadership
Jantjies began her career at just 20 years old, when she took her talents aboard cruise ships as a therapist. Despite not initially seeking a career in the field, the promise of world travel was enough to persuade her to embark on this journey.
Her dream of visiting places like Miami in the US and Jamaica in the Caribbean came true soon after finishing her studies at Total Concept, a respected Eastern Cape health and beauty academy. Her time aboard cruise liners not only exposed her to different cultures but also taught her critical lessons in leadership.
“When I left home, I was a baby. I came back as an adult,” Jantjies recalls. “I was earning dollars, tax-free, and being able to send money back to my family. To have that impact made me very proud as a woman of color.”
However, her experience was not without challenges. The harsh working environment and verbal abuse directed at her and her colleagues shaped her philosophy on leadership. “You have to nurture. You can’t treat people like they’re nothing because then you get nothing. High staff turnover, inconsistency, and no loyalty – I am not about that life.”
Nurturing Leadership and Redefining Spa Culture
Upon returning to South Africa, Jantjies secured a position at an exclusive country house in Addo, where she swiftly rose from therapist to spa manager. It was here that she discovered the importance of teamwork in hospitality – a lesson that has stayed with her throughout her career.
In 2019, Jantjies joined Amani Spa and Wellness as assistant manager, and by 2021, she had assumed the role of manager. Despite her title, she doesn’t see herself as a traditional manager. “I develop my team. I always ask my six staff members, ‘How would you treat your granny?’ The answer is ‘with love and respect.’”
Jantjies is committed to elevating beauty therapy beyond superficial treatments. For her, it’s not about creating “picture-perfect moments” for social media, but about offering clients a deeply personal experience. She emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where clients can truly let go and recharge.
“With all the pressures and problems of life, the therapy provides some form of release. It’s why we encourage our clients not to use or look at their phones during a session. They need this escape to zone out completely.”
Her approach has earned her a loyal client base, including a woman who travels monthly from East London with her 80-year-old mother just to be pampered for the weekend.
A Collaborative Approach to Wellness
Jantjies attributes much of her success to the collaborative environment fostered by Radisson Blu’s general manager, Elmarie Fritz. “Elmarie gives us the power to make a difference and we take a big stance on staff wellness. If we don’t take care of our staff, how can they take care of our guests?”
This philosophy extends to the way Jantjies runs the spa. While she hates turning clients away when fully booked, she prefers to have them return at another time rather than “squeeze them in,” ensuring each guest receives the care and attention they deserve.
Her leadership and commitment to quality have made Amani Spa and Wellness a destination for those seeking not just relaxation, but a truly transformative experience. Whether she’s mentoring her team or conceptualizing new ideas for the spa, Jantjies continues to shatter stereotypes, proving that beauty therapy is as much about intelligence and emotional insight as it is about aesthetics.