Creative KwaDukuza fashion designer Yamkela Ndabeni on the move

The sky is the limit for KwaDukuza fashion designer Yamkela Ndabeni, who is eager to become one of the most recognised designers in town.

The bubbly Ndabeni is full of praise for the iLembe Chamber of Commerce that trained her through its entrepreneur competition. She was one of the finalists in 2014.

Although she did not win the competition, the knowledge she gained at that time has helped her formalise her business plan and sharpen her marketing skills.

“Since the competition I have been looking at business with a different eye. I no longer just want to sew and sell but now look for opportunities to grow. It changed my life,” said Ndabeni.

As much as she is a proud businesswoman, her path to reach her dream has not been easy.

She had to quit school because of epilepsy and left the Eastern Cape to come and stay with her late mother who was a nurse in Stanger.

“At that time I thought my dreams were all dead, but through God’s mercy the epilepsy stopped and that was when I realised it was a chance for me to chase my fashion designing dream. I enrolled at Ningi Academy of Fashion Design and after two years launched my business,” said Ndabeni.

She started with just one machine, but now owns five which she said were for creating different designs.

In 2016, she received an award from Ithala ‘Imbokodo Iyazenzela’ (Women doing it for themselves) a provincial programme for women in SMMEs development initiative focusing mainly on townships and rural areas. She was awarded as one of the top 20 women in business.

Ndabeni is currently studying online with the aim of opening an academy offering sewing mentorship to upcoming fashion designers.

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