When the Covid-19 pandemic forced Tinyiko Mabunda to go home when universities were closed, she did not anticipate the unfortunate circumstance to lead to a business venture.
Mabunda, 26, of Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, was sitting at home under level 5 lockdown from March, with boredom and listlessness creeping in. Then she decided to keep herself busy by making handmade winter jerseys and showed off her work on social media platforms.
The third-year education student at the University of Limpopo told Sowetan she learnt crocheting skills from her mother, earlier in the lockdown.
“My mother taught me crocheting. I wanted to learn how to crochet and not start a business,” Mabunda said.
She said people started asking for the prices of the items she posted on social media
“I told them I am not selling. But more and more people wanted my things [clothes] and I then decided to start a business.”
Mabunda makes swimwear, hats, beanies, sweaters, shoes, cardigans, bowties and handbags under the name Vahlave Knits 'n Crochey.
Mabunda currently works alone from her parents’ home. She said her trade has provided people with an opportunity to get their clothing the way they want the items.
“People are interested in what I do. They tell me how they want me to design their clothes for them, unlike going to the store because at the store a piece of clothing is already made. I can customise it for them.”
Mabunda said she receives more than five orders a week from as far as the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
The young entrepreneur said she still wanted to complete her degree before taking her business to a higher level.
“I want my own place where I will do my crocheting, a shop where I can sell my clothes.”
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