BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MANZINI-What began as a way to pass time during the COVID-19 lockdown has grown into a dream woven stitch by stitch for crochet designer Nkosinomusa Gumbi, who proudly showcased her handmade creations at the 10th edition of the Biggest Braai held on Saturday at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.
Surrounded by thousands of festivalgoers enjoying music, food and entertainment, Gumbi’s colourful crochet collection attracted curious visitors who stopped to admire her craftsmanship, ask questions and celebrate locally made fashion.
For the designer, exhibiting at one of Eswatini’s biggest lifestyle events for the second consecutive year was more than displaying garments – it was another milestone in a journey built on passion, perseverance and hope.
“It feels absolutely amazing and very humbling. This is my second time showcasing my crochet work at the Biggest Braai, and seeing people stop by, admire my work, ask questions and appreciate the time and effort that goes into each piece makes me feel proud,” said Gumbi.
She explained that her crochet journey started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a hobby to keep herself occupied. What began with a simple ball of yarn gradually transformed into a growing business and a platform to express her creativity.
Beyond being a crochet designer, Gumbi describes herself as a hardworking, passionate mother who believes in perseverance and the power of creating opportunities from humble beginnings.
Despite her growing success, the journey has not been without challenges. She said running a handmade business alone requires patience, time and financial commitment, while meeting customer demand can become difficult, especially when she is unwell.
“Another challenge is getting people to understand and appreciate the value of handmade work. Behind every crochet piece are hours of work, creativity, skill and dedication,” she said.
Among the pieces she showcased, one garment remains closest to her heart – a blue crochet dress with a flowing train that was previously worn by one of the Miss Culture Princesses.
“I love this dress because it represents how far I have come as a crochet designer. When one of the Miss Culture Princesses wore it, I felt honoured. Every stitch tells my story and reminds me that handmade work carries a personal touch.”
Gumbi said the response from visitors at this year’s Biggest Braai exceeded her expectations.
“I was excited but also a little nervous before showcasing my work at such a big event. The interest and positive feedback from visitors have been encouraging. It has been wonderful explaining the process behind my pieces and seeing people’s reactions.”
She hopes more people will recognise the value of handmade products and continue supporting local creatives.
“Every piece is made with time, love, patience, creativity and skill. I want people to know that it is possible to turn a passion into something meaningful. Behind every small business is a person with a dream and a story.”
Looking ahead, Gumbi dreams of growing her crochet brand into a recognised name beyond Eswatini while remaining proudly rooted in the Kingdom. She also hopes to establish a dedicated creative space where she can train others and create employment through crochet.
“I believe that with passion, consistency, patience and the right support, a small dream can grow into something much bigger.”
As thousands gathered at the Biggest Braai to celebrate food, music and culture, Gumbi proved that some of the event’s most inspiring stories were not only found on stage, but also in the hands of local creatives turning yarn into works of art.
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