Meet Xolile Mabuza. Xolile is a Swati cricket analyst, spoken word artist and the skilled crafter behind Tendalo Trading, a company specialising in creating sustainable and ethically sourced bags from recycled and upcycled rubber car tubes.

Xolile, resident of Msogwaba, a village outside Mbombela, Mpumalanga, discovered a love for crafting after coming across discarded rubber car tubes in her neighbourhood. Through collecting and washing the rubber tubes, Xolile found a source of solace and therapy during a time of her life when she was struggling.

Xolile officially registered the business in 2019. However, after facing challenges with lack of funding and equipment, she pivoted to poetry and cricket commentating and analysis. But once she made enough to buy her first industrial machine, Xolile started making her bags, holding her first showcase in 2022.

Today, Xolile works on the business full-time. She is incredibly passionate about building a business that is kind to the environment and positively contributes toward the circular economy, mitigating the effects of global climate change. Most of all, she loves creating beautiful, intricately handcrafted bags for her customers.

With the help of her mentors, an opportunity offered through the Woolies Youth Makers Competition, Xolile has been able to better her product by bettering the stitching. Xolile shares her mentors have encouraged her to feel like she has what it takes to make her business a success.

In the future, Xolile wants to have her own stores and collaborate with different companies to create cosmetic or toiletry bags. She would also like Tendalo Trading to hire and train people from her village, particularly women and the youth.