“Hard work is the answer” - seamstress

“The time has come for us to eradicate poverty by creating projects, instead of just saying there are no jobs,” said a local dressmaker, Elisa Mpfuni of Smokie in the Nzhelele area.

During an interview with Limpopo Mirror, Elisa shared her secret recipe for success “Hard work, effective time management and proper customer care will make you go places.” She taught herself dressmaking skills, because she was determined to defeat the scourge of unemployment and poverty.

Elisa explained that her love for sewing and design began at the age of 15, when she used to watch her gogo alter and make clothes for the family.

Today, Elisa is her own boss and she has emerged as the toast of Vhembe because of her creativity. Elisa provides world-class service to her clients and prefers to use the indigenous Vhavenda, Bapedi and Tsonga fabrics as means of showcasing their heritage to the world. 
Her busines is producing products such as handbags, cushion covers, duvet sets, table cloths, traditional Vhavenda dresses (minwenda) and wall hangers.

When asked what advice she had for other women, she said: “Stand up and take charge of your lives. It’s high time we took back control. Don’t depend on a man.” Elisa said that happiness came first in her life, despite the challenges she sometimes faced.

“Managing family life and running a business are not easy, but I make sure that I do what makes me happy,” she said.

“I chose to design traditional clothes because I realised that in the Biaba complex there aren’t many shops that sell this kind of attire.”

Date:06 May 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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