Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) 22-year-old Minenhle Khumalo from Amatikulu Bridge (Mandeni), juggles being a full-time student and the running of his two businesses.

Khumalo is currently completing his National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles at DUT. He is a co-founder of LaFoi Inc, an online store and a clothing label called No Fear Design 1958, which targets the youth.

He further explained how the businesses operates: “LaFoi Inc is an online store that is working with small business enterprises and international wholesalers such as China, Singapore, Germany, to name but a few, to deliver the needs of our customers. No Fear Design 1958 is a clothing label that targets the youth market and is all about the various types of informal and formal fashion,” said Dlamini.

Together with his silent partner (Nandipha Dlamini), they use COVID-19 and its effects to their advantage. “During the early days of lockdown (level 5), my grandmother almost got arrested for breaking the COVID-19 regulations and that incident led to the birth of LaFoi Inc,” he said.

Khumalo stressed that the DUT Department of Fashion and Textiles is all about shaping students into becoming the leaders of tomorrow. He is learning so much, and amongst many skills he has acquired is the skill of problem solving.

Keeping balance between his school work and running his businesses is not easy for Khumalo. “The goal has always been bigger than the challenges. I usually dedicate my weekends to focus on business and meeting new people. I spend extra hours at school to finish up my homework. DUT is such an amazing space to be in, with the resources of such a very high calibre lecturers, this shapes me into the person I wish to be,” said Khumalo.

Pictured: Minenhle Khumalo

Nikiwe Sukazi