“My late aunt inspired me to do fashion and had always encouraged me to start a business too. I plan to honour her wishes soon,” said the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Thandanani Majola.

Majola completed his Diploma in Fashion and Textiles in 2020. He graduated during DUT’s Virtual Spring Graduation, last year.  

“I wished to have had a traditional graduation, but I applaud DUT for adhering to the COVID-19 protocol and regulations made to reduce the spread of the virus,” said Majola. 

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic became a blessing in disguise for him. He started sewing and selling face masks which helped him to save enough money to start his own business of selling cold beverages. 

“I started my business, last year, in 2020, selling cold beverage for over eighteens and establishing a cool hangout. At the beginning of lockdown, I sew masks for selling which I made a lot of money from and then decided to open a business, in addition, I also managed to buy two sewing machines for my other business venture,” said Majola. 

Majola, born in the Eastern Cape and raised in KwaZulu-Natal says he is grateful to his late aunt who taught him almost everything he knows about running a business. “My aunt had a boutique shop and that enabled her to feed us as her family and take care of our needs. My love for fashion grew from there. I wish to honour my aunt by opening a fashion school and name it after her,” he said. 

Explaining how the lockdown affected the functioning of the business, Majola said: “During level 5 my business shut down. No money was coming in which meant that I had to rely on the mask business, which was doing well too,”  he said. 

Majola, who is now working on his clothing brand called Urban Culture, says together with his partner Lindani they strive to do everything that will benefit their communities. 

Pictured: Thandanani Majola 

Nikiwe Sukazi