Unelisa Makhoba’s success with SEFA

In Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, creative spirit meets entrepreneurial grit. Unalisa Makhoba, a fashion designer with a flair for bold patterns and traditional aesthetics, once had just only a sewing machine. After applying for funding from the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), her life-and business-found a turning point.
Before SEFA’s intervention, Unalisa struggled to scale her capacity: orders piled up, but delays and limited machinery meant missed opportunities. SEFA came through with a grant of R90,000 which she used to buy four additional sewing machines, enabling her to do embroidery and overlocking-skills that widened her product range and improved production speed.
Unalisa remembers, “Before SEFA, I could barely keep up with demand. Getting those machines was like breathing air after being underwater. Now I send orders out on time and have staff who believe in what we’re building.”
Her brand didn’t just survive the disruptions of COVID-19; when sewing for fashion slowed, she switched to making masks-turning challenge into opportunity. With newfound capacity, she employs two women permanently and calls on more help during busy seasons.
For young entrepreneurs-especially women-from KZN or anywhere-Unalisa’s journey shows that access to the right support matters. SEFA isn’t only finance-it’s about opening doors. If you have a plan, sketch your future, and prepare; with persistence, your dream can thread success just as hers did.

Written by Mvelo Ngobese