Rethabile Molefe

What does your company do?

mosiima is a proudly South African fashion brand that designs and produces ready-to-wear and bespoke clothing—predominantly for women. Our garments are ethically made and fully produced in-house, from sourcing fabrics to sewing, fittings, and final delivery. Every piece is crafted with the intention to make women feel seen, celebrated, and confident in their identity. Our goal is not just to create beautiful clothing, but to restore and uplift local fashion production in South Africa. At a time when many so-called local brands manufacture overseas, mosiima is committed to building a transparent, homegrown fashion system that keeps jobs, skills, and creativity within our borders. While we’re currently focused on womenswear, we are steadily expanding into menswear as well—always with a deep commitment to authenticity, storytelling, and empowering local communities through fashion.

What is your biggest success?

My biggest success has been starting mosiima and having the courage to build something from the ground up. As a young founder, just being able to do this every day—designing, sewing, connecting with clients, and growing the brand—feels like a win. I’ve had the honour of creating affordable graduation outfits for young women who couldn't afford expensive garments, giving them something special for an unforgettable moment. One of my designs was featured in GQ magazine, and I was profiled by SA Creatives for my “The Missing Middle” collection, which tells the story of inequality in higher education through fashion. But above all, the real success is seeing women wear mosiima with pride—knowing their clothes were made locally, ethically, and with intention. That, to me, is the most rewarding achievement so far.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced in building mosiima has been accessing funding. As a young designer with a brand that’s just 10 months old, finding financial support to grow and scale—while doing everything myself—has been incredibly challenging. Another ongoing hurdle is standing out in a saturated market where bigger brands have more resources for marketing. I’m constantly working to show people the value of local fashion: why it matters where your clothes come from, and why supporting South African production should be a priority. Everyone wears clothes—but very few know who made them, how, or where. From sourcing fabric and sewing garments to handling client fittings, costing, and social media—I've done it all alone. It’s demanding, but I know it’s building a solid foundation. These hurdles are real, but they’ve pushed me to become more creative, resourceful, and determined.