Evander dressmaker lives her dream as a manufacturer of clothes
Evander’s Nosamukelo Peterson uses her knowledge and skills gained as a local dressmaker to teach others to become self-sufficient.
Nosamukelo Peterson, one of Evander’s inspiring women entrepreneurs, has transformed her life through determination and the support of the Evander Gold Mine (EGM) Enterprise Development Programme. Today, she is the proud owner of Nosamukelo (Pty) Limited, a 100% black woman-owned clothing manufacturing company based in Evander.
Born and raised in a large extended family, Peterson grew up relying on her mother’s income as a dressmaker. As the eldest of nine children, much of the financial responsibility fell on her.
“It was because of these financial constraints that I couldn’t finish matric,” she said. “After Grade 10, I had to find work to help my mother raise my siblings.”
With only a Grade 10 certificate, opportunities were scarce, and she began working as a hairdresser. But after five years, she felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue her true passion—fashion. She enrolled at Gert Sibande College in Evander to study dressmaking and later completed a short course in fashion design in China.
After graduating, Peterson registered her company and began her entrepreneurial journey – one filled with challenges, particularly raising funds for working capital.
Her breakthrough came when she attended EGM’s Stakeholder Engagement Forum, where she learned about the mine’s Social and Labour Plan (SLP) funding opportunities.
EGM saw her potential and enrolled her in the Enterprise Development Programme, where she gained essential skills in business management, leadership, and financial literacy.
The mine also helped her secure larger premises in the Evander Shopping Centre, complete with a showroom open to the public. Renovations were carried out by local suppliers, further boosting community involvement.
EGM additionally supported the training of local women to help her meet larger orders, creating jobs and developing a network of skilled women contributing to the local economy. A major milestone in her journey is EGM’s support for her South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) accreditation – opening the door to supplying PPE to mining companies nationwide.
“The SABS accreditation will change my life. I’m so grateful to EGM for believing in me and walking this journey with me,” Peterson said.
She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to be prepared for challenges.
“Starting a business is not for the faint-hearted. Always surround yourself with good, supportive people,” she advised.
