Times Of Swaziland: BANDISA: FROM SEAMSTRESS TO STYLE ICON

BANDISA: FROM SEAMSTRESS TO STYLE ICON
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Neliswa Sibiya on 02/03/2025 09:15:00


Today on our cover we have a chat with a thriving fashion visionary located in
Manzini. Bandisa Mabila shares her story, which is one of passion, perseverance
and a relentless pursuit of her dreams.
As a young fashion enthusiast, she embarked on a journey that would transform
her into a celebrated fashion outfit coordinator and designer, inspiring those
around her with her creativity and unwavering determination. Born into a family
of three siblings and blessed with the presence of both parents, Mabila’s
upbringing was a testament to the power of love and support.
Her strengths lie in her collaborative nature and positive attitude, which have
been instrumental in navigating the intricate world of fashion.
However, Mabila’s journey has not been without its challenges. Her
self-criticism and tendency to take on too much responsibility have at times
threatened to derail her progress. Yet, it is these very qualities that have
fuelled her drive to succeed, as she has learnt to channel her self-doubt into a
relentless pursuit of perfection.
passion
Mabila’s love for fashion blossomed during her high school years, when she
realised that the art of dressing could be a powerful tool for self-expression
and confidence-building. Inspired by the transformative power of a well-crafted
outfit, she set out to turn her passion into a career.
After completing her studies, Mabila turned to her local tailor, seeking
guidance and support in establishing her own fashion business. The tailor,
recognising Mabila’s innate talent, encouraged her to hone her sewing skills
and within just three months, Mabila had mastered the art of creating
custom-made garments.
Mabila’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through as she set out to build her own
fashion empire. Securing a steady stream of clients proved to be a daunting task
and she found herself struggling to make ends meet. It was during this time that
her brother, a talented photographer, stepped in to lend a helping hand.
fashion
By leveraging his network and directing his clients to Mabila’s burgeoning
business, her brother helped her overcome the initial hurdles and establish a
strong customer base. As Mabila’s reputation grew, so did the number of
clients seeking her expertise. The fashion enthusiast is now one of the most
sought-after designers locally, with a fully booked diary from January to
December.
Yet, even as her business flourished, Mabila faced another obstacle – the
demanding nature of her customers. “I believe that the most daunting part was
my beginning; my clients would shout at me because of the mistake I made, even
if the outfit was perfect,” she recalls. “At first, it would make me cry,
but it only made me stronger. Not that some are always satisfied with the
outcome, but I learnt to just give the customer what they want because they are
always right at the end of the day,” she said.
ability
Mabila’s unwavering resilience and her ability to learn from her mistakes have
been the driving forces behind her success. When faced with a design challenge,
she turns to her trusted sources—YouTube tutorials and her mentor, Thuli
Mabuza, the sewing teacher who first recognised her talent. “ To be a master
at what you do, you have to keep on learning all the time. If there is a certain
design giving me a hard time, it’s best to just relax and give yourself time
to just master everything out,” she said.
The enthusiastic designer believes that the bag that she chose is very wide and
not getting ahead of yourself is very crucial. “In this industry, you have to
be patient and always be willing to learn,” Mabila advises. “The fashion
world is constantly evolving and you need to stay on top of the latest trends to
keep your clients satisfied,” she said.
inspiration
Today, Mabila’s fashion business is thriving and she has become a beacon of
inspiration for aspiring designers and seamstresses alike.
Her ability to transform the most ordinary of outfits into works of art has
earned her a reputation as a true fashion visionary and her clients are drawn to
her unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail.
For this gorgeous lady, not only is she focused on curating other people’s
fashion outfits, but she also believes in looking good herself to attract
beauty. “Wearing a nice outfit makes me feel beautiful and youthful,” she
said. Mabila also highlights that when people praise and recognise her skill, it
unleashes more capabilities in her, as it can boost her confidence.