At just 18 years old, Amahle Zwane from Mzingazi (Thuthukani, Ward 16 under uMfolozi Local Municipality) is already weaving together threads of purpose, passion, and perseverance.
A fashion designer, crochet artist, hairstylist, and traditional beadwork maker. Amahle is not just multi-talented, she’s unstoppable. Her journey, however, started from a place many would see as a setback. In 2024, during her matric year at Aquadene Secondary School, she fell ill with severe headaches that forced her to take a gap year. What could have been a season of despair became the doorway to a new destiny.
Instead of giving up, Amahle took charge of her healing and growth. Through the support of her school principal, Mr. Phakathi, and deputy principal, Mrs. Mbatha, she received two sewing machines to help her stay creatively occupied during recovery. She joined the Lungelo Youth Development Academy’s Fashion Programme, a 6-month journey that she completed with pride graduating on her birthday!
With the sewing machines gifted by her school, she designed and stitched her own graduation gown and garments for her fashion show. While still battling the emotional weight of pausing school, she began teaching herself crocheting through YouTube tutorials turning her quiet time into a creative revolution.
“I owe it to my sickness,” Amahle said with gratitude, “because it gave me time to discover who I really am.”
Creativity clearly runs in her blood. Her father, a professional photographer and builder, is her biggest supporter and role model. “He even built our home with his own hands,” she shared proudly. “And he met my mom by taking her picture.” That story inspires Amahle to believe in the power of artistry and love.
Last year, she was already earning up to R2,000 a week through her fashion and crochet hustle helping her family with groceries and finding joy in her own independence. But there’s more to Amahle than the needle and thread.
She’s also a gifted singer. As a soloist in the school choir, she represented KwaZulu-Natal at the Motsepe Foundation SAISC Competition in Johannesburg. Her school, Aquadene Secondary, placed third nationally and brought home R10,000 a historic win!
Right now, she’s back in matric, focusing on her studies, but still doing hairstyling to stay connected to her creativity. Her dream? To study at DUT, open her own academy for fashion and crocheting, and empower others just like her.
She looks up to youth icons like Naledi Aphiwe, Xolly Mncwango, and Nozipho Phiri, and proudly says, “Our generation is amazing!”
Follow Her Journey:
📍 Facebook: Amahle Zwane
📍 TikTok: @AmahleZwane
📍 Instagram: @Amashleyy
Amahle’s story is proof that setbacks can become stepping stones, and with enough heart, even pain can be sewn into purpose.
