When Covid closes a door, pick up a mic

A DJ and MC in the CBD hopes to inspire others with his tale.

Goodman Bongani Mavimbela was one of the small business owners that were not able to recover from the devastating economic impact of Covid-19.

Since losing his fashion studio in 2020, the young CBD resident has found solace in his other creative talents to get by.

Originally from Mpumalanga in a town called Tweefontein K, Mavimbela has been a Pretoria resident since the age of eight and currently resides in Muckleneuk, where most of his clientele is.

Mavimbela is a fashion designer whose love for garments dates as far back as he can remember. This passion is one reason he dropped out of pursuing an IT degree at TUT as well as financial constraints.

“My love for fashion started when I was young, my mum and dad were both fashionable people. My dad was a teacher before he lost his job, he used to wear beautiful clothes every day and he taught me so much about dressing for every occasion,” he explained.

“My mother, on the other hand, was a tailor part-time, she used to buy materials and design clothes for me and my brother, so we learnt so much from them and I developed my love for style and fashion there. I remember cutting my clothes so that they can be dramatic so that I stand out at school during casual days. I always wanted to be unique,” said Mavimbela.

After a brief stint in retail and a fashion label thereafter called Vertigo in 2009, Mavimbela’s love for fashion expanded.

Through sheer determination, the young designer opened his own store in central Pretoria called Goodman’s Touch Boutique in 2016, after the brand’s inception in 2013.

“My store was loved by so many people but due to the location, we were struggling getting new clients, which resulted in struggling with rent. I was forced to close down after the biggest pandemic in the world struck. I struggled running a door-to-door business because of the restrictions, but this wasn’t enough, I found myself resorting to alcohol and going out more than usual.”

After losing the boutique, Mavimbela was diagnosed with depression and later admitted to hospital in early 2022.

“I have been through so many trials and tribulations in life but depression takes the cake. I never felt anything like that in my life, and I do not wish it for anyone in the world. That is why I am using all platforms I can to teach the youth in this country to speak up more when they are going through something.”

The now 32-year-old Mavimbela left treatment with a new lease on life, determined to rebrand himself and change his circumstances. After reaching out to previous business contacts, informing them that DJ and MC among other services would be added to his catalogue, the entrepreneur was taken aback by being inundated with booking requests for his services.

“I thought to myself instead of going out to waste money why don’t I go out to make money instead? I mean I love music and I love people and encouraging them to have fun and dance.

That’s when I decided that I want to pursue a DJ and MC career and I knew people were gonna enjoy my presence ’cause I have a bubbly personality.”

Still battling with mental health issues due to the expectations on him in the entertainment industry, he accredited his faith for carrying him through the tough times.

Mavimbela said fashion is still his first love and he will never stop doing it. His new brand, Da Style Guru is up and running, a move that he hopes will inspire fellow entrepreneurs and creatives.

“This year has been the biggest year for me in my career thus far, I have the most fashion clients, and new people are contacting us daily. Da Style Guru brand is also new but we’ve been getting so much recognition.”

He hired a group of young creatives to be a part of this movement so that they can learn, be busy and be off the streets.

Da Style Guru has worked with Chris Japhter, a presenter on E! Entertainment South Africa and media personality Tholang of reality show The Way Ngingakhona on 157 Moja Love among many others.

“We are busy with a programme called the young business entrepreneurs empowerment programme, we host it every year, and this year will be our third. We hope to attract even more young entrepreneurs to join and more sponsors.”

Mavimbela hopes fellow entrepreneurs and creatives never let hard times dictate their dreams and that through unity, circumstances can be surpassed.

“The biggest lesson I have learnt in life throughout my career is humility… without respect and humility no one will want to help you or work with you.

“Secondly, I learnt that collaborations are more powerful than competition, instead of competing with others join forces and do something with them. You have nothing to lose,” concluded Mavimbela.

He can be contacted on Facebook (Goodman Bongani), Instagram: Da_Style_guru and WhatsApp on 082 398 8492.

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