By Anita Dangazele
- Beautiful businesswoman uses fashion profits to help struggling university students.
- From sharing bursary money to owning boutiques, she keeps giving back to those in need.
Zandiswa “Swazi Elihle” Msikinya is using her fashion success to fund struggling students.
Born in Butterworth and raised in Vosloorus, Swazi grew up watching her pastor parents open their home to those in need.
“When I was younger, I used to find this very uncomfortable because we didn’t have any privacy. Little did I know that my parents’ spirit of giving would follow me into adulthood,” she says, laughing.
Her giving journey started at university, where she shared her bursary money with poorer students.
“I didn’t come from a well-off background; my mother was a childcare worker, and my stepdad was self-employed. So, when I got to varsity, my parents did not have registration money, but someone came through for me and paid my registration. So, I thought if somebody could do that for me, why can’t I adopt the same spirit?”
This spirit of giving led to The Xhanti Foundation, which helps university students with basic needs.
The crop scientist turned fashion entrepreneur found fame with Swazi MakotiBoutique, creating modern makoti outfits.
“Our brand gained popularity when we had the opportunity to dress Sindi Dlathu for the famous telenovela, The Queendom, where our range was featured.”
Her newest venture, “Porsche Purses & Co”, sells luxury bags and sunglasses. But success hasn’t changed her giving heart – she uses business profits to fund her foundation.
“What inspired the spirit of giving in me is the fact that I grew up in a family or space where the little that we had, my parents always shared it as small as it was,” says Swazi.
Pictured above: Zandiswa Swazi Elihle Msikinya in her Swazi Makoti Boutique attire.
Source: Supplied
