Beyond the market stall…Zimbabwean artisan makes waves in Jo’burg

BUILDING a brand from scratch is a daunting task for many aspiring entrepreneurs, yet Sakhile Tracy Ndhlovu (40), a skilled artisan from Plumtree established a thriving business called Indoni Styles in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Inspired by her roots, Sakhile designs and creates fashionable curios comprising intricately beaded jewellery to hand-painted home decor pieces.

Her creations have captivated both locals and tourists, catapulting her business to success.

Through sheer hard work, dedication and an unwavering passion for her craft, Sakhile has expanded her line to include hand-crafted bracelets, rings and even custom pieces for special occasions.

Her creations embody the beauty of traditional African aesthetics, empowering women and men to feel confident and comfortable in their everyday lives.

She wants Indoni Styles to be the go-to brand for fashionable curios across Africa and beyond. Her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality have garnered a devoted clientele. Customers travel from afar to acquire her one-of-a-kind works of art.

“Indoni Styles is an African fashion brand that creates sleek, fashion-forward styles with motifs from Africa’s past. These African brand crafts are ready-to-wear clothing and accessories and small multi-disciplinary projects. Indoni Styles is a brand that doesn’t sacrifice traditional African aesthetics,” she said.

“Our objective at Indoni Styles is to establish an unequivocal determination to propel and restore refined African fashion brands on the global stage. To achieve this, we are continuously penetrating different fashion markets and increasing our visibility and footprint in the fashion fraternity. We are currently based in Johannesburg central and our location strategically positions us to service a wide range of customers from different areas,” said Sakhile.

Sakhile understands the importance of digital presence. Her company’s strong social media footprint allows her to connect with a much wider audience.

Despite encountering obstacles on her journey, Sakhile’s determination remains unwavering and her focus is on building a better life for herself and her family in South Africa.

Through sheer hard work, dedication and an unyielding passion for her craft, Sakhile embodies the power of creativity and perseverance. Her story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with these qualities, anything is achievable.

“Despite facing adversity and sceptics who doubted my ability to make a living from art, I persevered and soon found success selling my creations at the local market and beyond.

“Recently, I exhibited at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair for the first time and I must say it was exciting and amazing. The kind of exposure that I got is exactly what I needed as I’m working on opening a branch here at home. My creations really made an impact as many would inquire and buy my creations,” she said.

Sakhile’s flourishing business allows her to support herself and her family, fulfilling a deep sense of pride in transforming her passion into a thriving enterprise.

“I will continue to push the boundaries of creativity, incorporating new techniques and materials into our designs in order to stay ahead of the latest trends. I want Indoni to be the go-to brand for fashionable curios across Africa and beyond,” she said.

She said her creations were not just accessories, but pieces of art that brought joy and beauty to those who wear them.

“I want my story to serve as a reminder that with passion, hard work and a touch of creativity, anything is possible.”