By Gofaone Motsamai

Stitch by stitch, management student Joel Malesela Khoela has created a tailoring business whose sewing is so skilled that nurses of the future trust him to produce their protective attire.

His company, Joel Stitch by Stitch TA Patrao (Pty) Ltd, recently completed a large tailoring order for the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

The project involved tailoring 166 scrub tops, 166 pairs of pants, 83 puffer jackets, 83 fleece jackets and 166 pairs of socks for first-year nursing students.

What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Joel, who is studying towards a postgraduate diploma in management at the Mahikeng Campus, completed the order from his own student room, turning his limited space into a fully functional production hub.

He says the nursing order is a milestone that marks his growth as an entrepreneur and the expanding capacity of his business.

“Working on this project for the university is big,” says Joel. “Also, being here is an opportunity on its own. Being at the NWU made me find myself – and my business.”

Joel is a self-taught tailor who started his business in 2019, sewing by hand at first and then buying his first sewing machine in 2020. Joel Stitch by Stitch Patrao has grown over time, and now has nine assistants helping to manage operations and production.

Despite facing challenges such as space constraints and tight deadlines, Joel delivered the NWU nursing attire project successfully. He credits this to his ability to stay focused and disciplined, even when the demands were overwhelming. “I had to push myself,” he reflects. “But seeing the final results, knowing I delivered quality work, that’s the reward.”

Joel sees the project as another step forward in developing his business, which he says is not just about making clothing but shows that young people can build something, even from limited resources.

Stitch by stitch, NWU management student Joel Malesela Khoela has created a tailoring business.

His company tailored 166 scrub tops, 166 pairs of pants, 83 puffer jackets, 83 fleece jackets and 166 pairs of socks for first-year nursing students.