Zine Madikwa once considered pursuing a career that would take her across the world as a flight attendant.
Today, she is firmly rooted in the rural hills of Port St Johns — and building a growing business from the land she once overlooked.
The 33-year-old entrepreneur now produces her own range of juices under the brand Eastdene Farms Fruit Juices, using fruit grown on her family’s Gunuza Farms.
What began as an unexpected return home has evolved into a passion-driven venture supplying nutritious drinks to her community.
“My mother managed to buy a farm but despite growing up there, I never really had much passion for doing work usually done there,” Madikwa said.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I even imagine myself as a farmer or running a farm.
“But I did help my mother with the production of mangoes on the farm.”
Duncan Village seamstress Hloni Nkathazo has turned a passion for creativity into a growing home-based business, with support from her husband helping to take her designs to a wider audience.
The 38-year-old, who specialises in colourful Xhosa traditional wear, is building a name for herself through determination, self-taught skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Her husband, Azola, plays a key role in the business by modelling her garments on social media — an approach that has helped attract new clients and boost visibility.
Nkathazo’s journey into fashion was shaped by a difficult upbringing. Born in KuGompo City and raised in Centane, she said she was pushed to become independent at a young age.
“I grew up in a hard situation, and that pushed me to start working at a young age so I could help my family,” she said.
Her first steps into earning an income came through hairstyling, where she began building both skills and confidence.
“I started by doing people’s hair when I was still very young. That is where I discovered I love working with people and creating something beautiful,” Nkathazo said.
She attended Duncan Village Primary School before moving to Ebenezer Majombozi Senior Secondary School. Although she passed Grade 11, she did not complete matric.
Rather than allowing that setback to define her, she focused on building a livelihood.
“I didn’t finish school, but I told myself I still want to be a businesswoman,” she said.
That ambition evolved over time. While working as a hairstylist, Nkathazo developed an interest in fashion design, gradually shifting her focus from hair to clothing.
“I loved designing new hairstyles, and from there I became interested in designing clothes,” she said.
A turning point came when her husband bought her a sewing machine, giving her the tools to pursue her interest more seriously.
“My husband believed in me and bought me my first machine. That is how I started sewing, and I have never looked back,” she said.
Today, Nkathazo runs her business from home, designing and producing traditional garments that reflect both culture and individuality.
Despite working without a formal studio, she continues to grow her client base through word of mouth and social media.
“I work from home and do everything myself, but my husband helps me with many things. He also wears my designs and posts them on social media to market the business,” she said.
By modelling her designs, Azola has helped present the clothing in a relatable way, expanding her reach and building confidence in her brand.
“His support means everything to me. It gives me strength to continue even when things are difficult.”
I want to have my own place to work and create jobs for other people
For Nkathazo, one of the most rewarding aspects of the business is the ability to support her family while doing work she enjoys.
“Having customers and being able to satisfy their needs makes me happy, because it also helps me take care of my family,” she said.
She now hopes to take the next step by securing a dedicated workspace and creating opportunities for others.
“I want to have my own place to work and create jobs for other people,” she said.
Her long-term goal is to expand the business beyond a home operation and establish herself as a recognised designer.
“If you love something, it can take you to another level in life. Although my business is still growing, it is far from where I started,” she said.
Nkathazo encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly young women facing similar challenges, to remain focused and resilient.
“Never give up and always work hard. Even if things are not going the way you want them to, just keep going.”
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After finishing school, Madikwa enrolled at the Esayidi TVET College on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast to study travel and tourism management, with the goal of becoming an air hostess.
“My dream was to be a flight attendant and not just domestically in SA.
“I pictured myself travelling to international countries on those big planes,” she said.
But she left her studies with a year remaining and later enrolled at the University of SA to study teaching, a decision she quickly realised was not for her.
“I am not a very patient person and I could not imagine myself having the passion to work with children,” she said.
Madikwa also spent time working for an international cellular company, but persistent load-shedding disruptions eventually led her to leave the job.
A turning point came when her mother fell ill, prompting her to return home to the family farm.
What started as a family responsibility soon became something more.
She began growing vegetables and fruit while caring for her mother — and, over time, found herself drawn to farm life.
What began on a broken ironing board in her mother’s garage has grown into a fully operational factory for Amandla Buswana, a 30-year-old entrepreneur building a manufacturing business in KuGompo City.
Buswana is the founder of Buswana Creations, a uniform manufacturing company based in Arcadia Park that now supplies schools, businesses, banks, churches and funeral homes.
Her journey into fashion and entrepreneurship began long before the business was formally established.
Born and raised in KuGompo City, she attended Southern Primary School before moving to St Anne’s Primary School, where she completed her foundation phase.
She later matriculated from Beaconhurst High School.
After school, she followed her passion and enrolled at the Durban University of Technology to study fashion design and textiles.
“I was always creative,” she said.
“In school, I would alter the uniforms of my classmates for a small fee, adding trims or changing the design to match what was popular at the time.”
That early creativity laid the foundation for what would later become her business.
Buswana Creations was established in 2022, but its roots go back to far humbler beginnings.
“My mother’s broken ironing board was my workspace for more than a year,” she said.
“I then moved into the garage, where I slowly built a small setup and hired one person to help with sewing.”
With no financial backing or inherited resources, she had to build the business from scratch.
She outsourced some of the work, saved consistently and reinvested every cent into growing the company.
“It wasn’t easy, but I had a clear goal and a sense of urgency.
“I knew I had to make it work,” she said.
That persistence has paid off.
What started as a small home-based operation has grown into a functioning factory, creating jobs and expanding its client base.
A major breakthrough came last year when Buswana won first place in the Eastern Cape at the Hollywoodbets Bambelela Awards.
The recognition brought new visibility to her business and opened doors for growth.
“I was honoured to receive the award in the presence of leaders such as premier Oscar Mabuyane and Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku,” she said.
“It validated the work I have been putting in and helped position my business on a larger platform.”
The award also accelerated the development of her factory, giving her the momentum to scale up operations.
If you have a vision and you are willing to work for it, it is possible to build something meaningful
Despite the growth, Buswana remains focused on consistency and continuous improvement.
She draws inspiration from everyday experiences, with a strong appreciation for quality and attention to detail.
“I am inspired by art, travel and the world around me,” she said.
“Creativity needs exposure and freedom.
“Seeing different places helps me think differently and improve what I create.”
Those close to her describe her as disciplined and driven — qualities she believes are essential in business.
“My mother says I do not tolerate excuses, but I think that is part of what keeps me going,” she said.
At the core of her approach is a strong sense of responsibility, both to her business and to the people it supports.
As a first-generation entrepreneur, Buswana hopes her story will inspire others, particularly young people who feel limited by their circumstances.
“I started with nothing, but I stayed committed,” she said.
“If you have a vision and you are willing to work for it, it is possible to build something meaningful.”
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Madikwa’s breakthrough came in 2024, when she experimented with turning mangoes into juice.
“I have always loved cooking and experimenting with food but when I asked my friend to try that mango juice in 2024, she actually told me it tasted brilliant and suggested I could make a lot of money from it,” Madikwa said.
“I love money and so immediately everything just clicked in my head.
“Now I am passionate about working on a farm and producing the juices, which are very high in demand in the community.”
Today, her range includes juices made from mangoes, guavas, naartjies, oranges and avocados, as well as blends that combine fruit and vegetables.
She also experiments with natural infusions such as lemon balm, which she says can benefit skin health and improve sleep patterns.
When production falls short, she sources additional produce from neighbouring farms, helping to support other growers in the area.
