How Lenny Govender’s prize winning Tongaat factory is stitching a brighter future

It is not every day someone trades a corporate office for cutting tables and cotton reels, but Tongaat’s Lenny Govender did just that.

Swapping suits for sewing machines, he took a bold leap into the world of textiles. Now, his factory is buzzing, winning awards and his future looks bright.

The 43-year-old Tongaat resident recently sewed up the Best Overall Business Case for 2025 title at the KZN Clothing and Textile Cluster (KZNCTC) Dragons’ Den, beating out 120 other hopefuls.

His company, SNLS Clothing, now has the attention of major retailers such as Woolworths, Mr Price, TFG and Pepkor Speciality, thanks to the SME Accelerator Programme, funded by a partnership with the eThekwini Municipality.

On May 29, Govender and nine other finalists pitched to a panel of retail giants at The Pearls in Umhlanga.

While others impressed, Govender’s pitch clearly hit the sweet spot, earning him a R20 000 cash prize, direct access to procurement channels and mentorship support from South Africa’s retail heavyweights.

But the magic is not just in the pitch – it’s in the factory.

When the Courier visited SNLS Clothing, we expected machinery and fabric. What we found were jokes flying as fast as the sewing needles.

Workers crafting underwear and vests had us laughing before we could even finish our tour.

Professional yet playful, the factory hummed with energy. It was clear that these are not just jobs – this is a team with heart.

“We believe in people before profits. We do things the right way or not at all. My team, they are the real heroes here,” said Govender.

Operating from a 3 000-square-metre factory, the business has created 120 jobs in just eight months.

Raised in Kranskloof, a small village in Glendale, Govender’s values are rooted in community.

He plans to create a production row in memory of his late cousin Rodney Naidoo, who used a wheelchair, by offering employment to people with disabilities.

“It was supposed to be a surprise for the family, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag,” he said.

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