Startup Story
Driven by a desire to create opportunities for South African clothing manufacturers and designers to create and supply their clothing to local retailers, Zola Shabangu launched iGoda Clothing Manufacturing Incubator PTY Ltd. Today, the business is a development incubator for a new generation of fashion designers and seamstresses.
LoA chatted to founder Zola Shabangu this month to learn more about this industry changing enterprise.
What does your company do?
At iGoda Clothing Manufacturing Incubator PTY Ltd, we have a range of development programmes and initiatives including Accredited Skills Development, Incubation, Retail Readiness, and Manufacturing.
“iGoda is a center of excellence in clothing skills development, providing coaching and mentorship in product development, promotion, new venture creation, and new market identification.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The industry downturn in South Africa which led to clothing retailers sourcing all their products outside the country, leading to job losses. The hardest hit was women who made up the largest percentage of the industry workforce. As a result, most skilled and competent workers ventured into other sectors leaving the industry without the capacity to service the local industry.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
iGoda is a center of excellence in clothing skills development, providing coaching and mentorship in product development, promotion, new venture creation, and new market identification.
Tell us a little about your team
The iGoda Incubator team is made up of qualified facilitators, assessors, technical development in the clothing sector and business coaches. We also have a strong administrative team.
“I would like to see iGoda Incubator being the center of excellence and development for women and youth where various skills within the clothing manufacturing value chain are developed. I want to see it being a go-to place for new products and suppliers.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My mother was a self-made entrepreneur. To help feed and educate her five children she started a small scale poultry farming business successfully.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To have our own building which will be home to all women and youth who aspire to be in the Clothing Manufacturing Industry. I would like to see iGoda Incubator being the center of excellence and development for women and youth where various skills within the clothing manufacturing value chain are developed. I want to see it being a go-to place for new products and suppliers.
“What gives me most satisfaction is seeing the transformation of beneficiaries from being passive players to active and confident business people.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
To see growth, the transformation of beneficiaries from being passive players to active and confident business people.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Do not be scared to be different, to start something never done before. Expect resistance and sometimes ridicule when your idea is still undergoing metamorphosis. Remember it's not other people's vision it's yours, stay humble, analyze the different noises to know when to open and close your ears.
Why LoA loves it….
The words change-maker can definitely be applied to Zola Shabangu and her vision to address South Africa’s decimated clothing manufacturing sector through the launch of her iGoda Clothing Manufacturing Incubator. This is a high impact venture that is changing the lives of those who people who go through the incubator to develop the key skills and expertise to successfully become clothing manufacturers in South Africa. This important industry sector can now look ahead to a new dawn, thanks to the efforts of entrepreneurs such as Zola who want to make a difference and change lives through training and job creation. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa