Etete’s tiny stitch master

Working on a kitchen table in her RDP home, Ayanda Gumede from Velani Township in Etete is determined to conquer the fashion industry.

The petite 20-year-old has been madly in love with fashion since she was a little girl.

“I used to redesign my doll and teddy bear clothes to make them stand out from the other toys. That inspired me to pursue fashion design as a career,” said Gumede, who matriculated at ML Sultan Secondary School in 2014 and completed a fashion design diploma at Ningi Academy last year.

She is already the talk of the township, with people placing orders for weddings, matric dances, graduation ceremonies and traditional events.

Gumede said she had taken part in a fashion competition at the Ballito Pro, where they had to make garments out of recycled items.

“I am doing my dream job and I am enjoying every minute of it. The response I get from people is overwhelming.”

Her long term goal is to design clothes for celebrities and to open a clothing store.

“I want to see myself grow and become a successful fashion designer so that I can uplift the lives of my family,” said Gumede, who lives with her uncle, Thembile and aunt, Zamanguni Gumede after she lost her parents at a young age.

Her aunt, Zamanguni Gumede described her as a passionate person with a bright future.

“I just wish I could financially support her to uplift her business because her work is brilliant,” said Zamanguni.

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