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By Shumirai Chimombe
One of the most common challenges aspiring entrepreneurs face is the fear of stepping away from the security of their jobs to start their own business venture. Will it succeed? How can the business stand up against the competition? How do I even begin? Many questions can run through one’s mind – leading to many potential small business owners giving up before they have even started.
But Khabonina Mnguni’s story behind starting and growing her business Zibangwenya Supplies trading as ZS Uniforms in Tembisa serves as an inspiration. Her pitch in the Pitching Den at the Standard Bank EmpowHER conference in Johannesburg on 22 May impressed the judges so much that she walked away as the winner of the Gauteng leg of the EmpowHER series.
We have extracted some gems from her pitch that address some valuable questions every small business owner needs to answer for themselves.
Do you have a specific vision for your business?
“We are building what will be the biggest school uniform manufacturer and retailer on the African continent.”
ZS Uniforms specialises in providing comprehensive uniform solutions tailored to the needs of various industries and institutions. They are currently supplying 11 schools and their revenue has grown by 2 700% between February 2021 and February 2025.
What problem are you solving with your solution?
“In a township like Tembisa, access to school uniforms still remains a problem as most parents still have to go to town to buy uniforms. And given the sheer size of the school uniform market, there are no black female-owned large scale retailers of uniforms operating in the townships.
At ZS we are bringing uniforms retail directly to our community by affording them high-quality, and affordable uniforms that are tailor-made for local schools and now proudly manufactured in-house. We have invested in our own machines which allows us to cut down costs and maximise turnaround time, take control of our supply chain, while also improving skills and creating jobs in Tembisa.”
By transitioning to in-house manufacturing the business has acquired four industrial sewing machines and one embroidery machine. This has enabled them to now also provide on-site embroidery for school logos and branding.
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What sets you apart?
“We have our own flexible lay-by plans and a special rewards programme for parents, which supports affordability as well as loyalty. We are also based in the township so parents don’t have to travel far to buy uniforms”
Do you have a personal story that defines you as a businesswoman and as a brand?
Khabo is a third generation entrepreneur who is inspired and motivated by what her maternal and paternal grandparents achieved as entrepreneurs in their time.
“This business is my legacy as we are operating from the same building built by my grandparents in the 1980s at a time when ownership of a retail complex was nearly impossible. But their pioneering spirit and their heart for our community, is the driving force behind our business today.”
What is the heart of your why? Do you have a purpose that drives you?
Although she is a qualified finance and marketing professional with some 13 years experience, Khabo said that she felt unfulfilled. “I yearned for purpose, impact. Legacy. And entrepreneurship has given me just that.This business is a legacy to my grandparents. It’s my purpose as a professional but it also serves as a promise to the learners that we serve.”
Giving back to the community is also at the heart of what ZS Uniforms do. Through their CSI arm Threads for Ikasi Foundation, they have impacted a total of 118 learners by donating uniform packs since January this year.
“I am sewing the future of South Africa, one uniform at a time” – Khabo Mnguni
Learn more about ZS Uniforms on their website
Join other bold female entrepreneurs to have inspiring conversations, and share game-changing ideas at the Durban leg of the Standard Bank EmpowHER conference on 26 June.
Book your ticket here and prepare to be inspired and empowered.
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