A stitch in time saves nine for Groutville tailor

What began as a simple desire to wear something different from his fellow pupils when he was in school has grown into a successful business for a 21-year-old Groutville man.

Simo Mbesi now specialises in making church uniforms.

Using his gogo’s (grandmother’s) old sewing machine, Mbesi said it all started when he was in grade eight at Groutville High School.

He adjusted his school pants, little knowing that it was the start of his sewing career.

“I changed my pants into a slime fit and other pupils began asking me where I got my trousers. When I told them that I made them, they started bringing in their pants for me to resize,” said Mbesi.

From there he became the talk of the township, more and more people began coming to him if they needed to have their clothes fitted.

“I started enjoying sewing, so I undid one of my shirts and it took me about two weeks to put it together again. After that, I felt that I should go for something else and I made a uniform for my church, Holy Banner in Zion.”

That opened the floodgates and he is now making uniforms for all the church members from the 16 branches across KZN.

The Coastal TVET College final year education student also works part-time in Simbithi.

His gogo, Nono Mbesi (71), said she was proud to see her grandson building a better future for himself.

“He is the one who broke my sewing machine, which I inherited from my late father-in-law. But I am happy that he is making progress,” said the gogo, who is also a pastor.

Simo and his gogo have a very close relationship as Simo’s parents died in 2001 and he was raised by her. She praised Simo for running the church smoothly.

“I am now old and I have let him be the one who takes care of the church. When we need to take a trip to other branches, Simo organises transport and arranges everything. I trust him and I always say, if he can lose interest in church, things will be bad.”

Although he is studying, he said he wants to focus on his business and buying a new sewing machine.

“I would love to work as a teacher, but currently my business is doing well and I want to ensure that it grows.”

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