Personal Experiences
Sikhona Khubisa
My name is Sikhona Khubisa. I reside in a small rural area named Ndlangubo which is in the South of KwaZulu Natal in Empangeni. My former sewing trainer is Miss Zethu Myeni. I commenced my lessons on the 1st of September 2023 and graduated on the 4th of March 2024. I was unemployed and facing financial difficulties but thanks to my sewing business, my financial situation has improved immensely. My children are also sustained by my sewing business and it has connected me to community members through orders made. I make different orders for different customers and make netted food covers that I sell in people’s homes. My sewing instructor offered guidance and taught us ways of making money through sewing.
Bongiwe Ndwandwe
My name is Bongiwe Ndwandwe, from a small rural area in Ulundi named Ndayini which is situated in the North of KwaZulu Natal. My former sewing trainer is Mr Mnqobi Nkosi. I commenced my sewing lessons in October 2023 and graduated in March 2024. I am the breadwinner at home and through sewing, I have managed to take care of my unemployed mother. My previous job paid far more less than my sewing business. Yebozululand connected me to influential people we attended sewing lessons with. Amongst those was a lady who supports and motivates me. We currently make orders together. My sewing instructor was an adviser to me and also supported during hard times.
Kate Sibiya
My name is Kate Sibiya from a small rural area of Eshowe named Mombeni which is situated in the North of KwaZulu Natal. My former sewing trainer is Miss Nolwandle Nxumalo. I commenced my sewing lessons on July 2023 and graduated on the 8th of December 2023. Sewing assisted me gain an extra income. Partaking in sewing lessons assisted me build friendship and has also taught me ways of living with people who possess different characters. I was exposed to people who became my support system. We would share crucial information regarding sewing. My sewing trainer would teach us all the necessities of sewing and was very patient with us. She cultivated my love for fashion. I make designer wear for women in Eshowe and Durban. I focus towards extending my services to more communities.
Ntombi Mhlongo
My name is Ntombi Mhlongo. I reside in a rural area named Emabhokweni in Eshowe, situated in the South of KwaZulu Natal. My sewing trainer was Mr. Sipho Makhanya. I commenced my lessons in November 2023 and graduated on the 25th of May 2024. Seeing my designer wear come to life has assisted me gain confidence. It also has a positive contribution on my finances. I would enjoy assisting my former class mates which further increased my knowledge in sewing. I was around elders which assisted me grow in general. As the only female in my homestead, being around my classmates rewarded me with mentors. Our sewing trainer would share bible teachings which empowered us. He was also a support system and a father to us.
Sthembile Zuma
My name is Sthembile Zuma, I live in a rural area named Ekujulukeni situated in a town called Ulundi, which is in the North of KwaZulu Natal. My sewing trainer was Miss Noluthando Khumalo. I commenced my sewing lessons in June 2023 and graduated on the 30th of August 2023. I lost my husband in the year 2023 due to gun violence which left me as the sole provider for my six children. Sewing has assisted me put food in the table and also practice my creativity skills. I am originally from Swaziland and had no friends in the area I married into. I made friends in my sewing class who further assisted me acquire customers. My sewing trainer upskilled me and taught me ways to make money. She was also a support structure in my most difficult times. I make designer wear for people within my community.