Traditional attire business booms in September

September is celebrated as Heritage Month and in keeping with all things traditional, the Advertiser spoke to Obed Ntombela (49), a traditional attire designer.

Ntombela, who lives and breathes cultural fashion, resides in Freedom Park, Villa Liza.

He started making traditional Zulu attire at the age of 18 after learning from his elders back home in KwaZulu-Natal.

At that time he didn’t take his skill seriously, until 2016 when his life took a turn.

Ntombela was working as a crane operator in Rustenburg when he lost his job, so he had no choice but to use his hands to make money.

“After losing my job, I started putting all my attention into making a living out of selling these traditional clothes, and it worked.

“Since I started this trade people always recommend my work to their colleagues, family and friends who also come and buy from me.

“Some of the challenges I face in my line of work is when people place orders, but end up not paying or coming to fetch their traditional clothes,” he said.

According to Ntombela, in September business is always booming because people always order traditional attire to wear on September 24.

Ntombela said he makes imvunulo yesintu (traditional attire) for Maskandi singers, Nazareth Baptist Church members (famously known as Shembe church) and traditional weddings.

Some of the traditional clothing he designs for men and women are amaShoba, cow tails worn on the upper arms and below the knees, iBeshu, the rear apron made from calf skin, and Isidwaba, a leather skirt worn by married woman, and many more.

Ntombela said he buys his material from a factory in Johannesburg and sells his traditional clothing from R2 000 to R6 000.

Ntombela, who runs his business from home, said his dream is to own a Zulu traditional shop in town so people can get access to his work.

He further encouraged South Africans to take pride in their cultures, languages and religions.