Local fashionista receives Shoprite funding to develop business

Tholwana Moshodi from Heidedal in Bloemfontein initially started MOSARDI in 2014 as a business that created bucket hats to fit any girl’s head and hairstyle. As a marketing graduate with an eye for fashion, Tholwana grew MOSARDI into an all-female clothing brand that fuses urban and traditional African prints and patterns to create effortless yet bold clothing.

Without any financial support, Tholwana has not only successfully created MOSARDI but also does all of the production of the garments and accessories – including fabric shopping bags, backpacks and head gear – herself. Her business is growing steadily and she aims to give back by buying hand-held sewing machines and providing sewing classes to wheelchair-bound individuals as a way for them to develop skills and be part of the fashion industry. She is one of 12 small business owners who received a cash injection and marketing support valued at over R70 000 as part of Shoprite’s Hustle competition. The competition calls on small business owners with an annual turnover of less that R1 million and who want to grow their business to enter.

A total of 36 winners (12 per month) will be selected and entries are open until 22 September 2018. To enter, simply visit https://hustle.shoprite.co.za/ She dreams of employing staff members to assist with the production process, procuring industrial sewing machines and buying material in bulk. ͞I hope to take MOSARDI further than the markets I currently exhibit at in Bloemfontein – to the entire Free State province and then the whole of South Africa,͟ said Tholwana. View her Thundafund account to see how you can help invest in her business initiative and help grow her dream: www.thundafund.com/project/mosardiENDS