Vhembe fashion entrepreneur empowers young designers
Takalani Mathivha's Choose Beauty Project empowers young fashion designers, driven by her own passion and dedication to making a mark in the industry.
LIMPOPO – Takalani Mathivha, a 47-year-old entrepreneur from Makwarela, is the visionary behind the ‘Choose Beauty Project’, which encourages young people to pursue careers in fashion.
Initially launched in 2016 as the Choose Beauty Cooperative with eight members, the project faced challenges as some members dropped out, leaving Mathivha to run the business solo.
With a diploma in clothing production from Vhembe TVET College, Mathivha’s love for fashion was inspired by her mother, who was a seamstress.
“Watching my mother sew sparked my interest, leading me to formal studies in the field. My journey has been both busy and exciting, allowing me to work on bulk orders and continue growing,” Mathivha said. She now hopes to expand her business and train more students from Vhembe TVET College.
Proud of her mentorship, Mathivha highlights the success stories of her former students who now run their own boutiques. “It shows my commitment to nurturing new talent,” she said.
Her work extends to sewing school uniforms, hospital wear and traditional attire, giving her a chance to combine her passion for fashion with service to the community. With guidance from the Vhembe incubator and principal Basani Hlekani, Mathivha continues to push her business forward, focusing on high-quality production under pressure.
Despite the challenges of being the primary provider for her family, she has achieved global recognition, supplying clothing to hospitals and schools locally and abroad. She draws inspiration from designer Ann Lowe, whose success fuelled her desire to establish Choose Beauty.
Looking ahead, Mathivha envisions her business growing into a major supplier of scrubs and dresses to hospitals nationwide.
“In five years, I want to see Choose Beauty become a well-known name in the fashion industry, delivering top-quality products. Although the seasonal nature of the business can be challenging, I remain dedicated and proactive, marketing on social media and preparing for demand,” she concluded.
