BOSADI Fashion Showcase Celebrates First Cohort as Second wave of Young Women Entrepreneurs Begins their Journey
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Pretoria, South Africa, 29 July 2025 – A vibrant atmosphere of creativity, purpose, and empowerment filled the air at Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate on Saturday, 26 July 2025, as Oakfields College and UNISA’s Inhlanyelo Hub celebrated the achievements of the first cohort of the Bosadi Fashion Design Business Start-up Programme.
The event marked a major milestone in a growing partnership between Oakfields College and UNISA’s Inhlanyelo Hub NPC – a collaboration focused on equipping young Black women with practical, industry-relevant fashion and entrepreneurship skills. The programme was launched in 2024 and is supported by the University Capacity Development Grant.
Fifteen participants – UNISA students and graduates – took to the runway to present their original fashion collections and pitch their business concepts. Their presentations were the culmination of a 13-week journey that combined intensive fashion training delivered by Oakfields College with business development and ideation support through the Inhlanyelo Hub.
The event drew an audience of invited guests, funders, stakeholders, and supporters from both the education and creative sectors, all gathered to witness the bold innovation and business readiness of these rising entrepreneurs. A selection board will now support a number of standout participants to take their concepts into further development and possible launch.
“Watching these young women present their ideas with such confidence and clarity was inspiring,” said Nicole Finney, Director at Oakfields College. “It’s been a privilege to walk this journey with Inhlanyelo Hub. This partnership reflects our shared belief in the power of education to unlock real-world opportunities.”
Photographs from the event feature several key individuals, including Christina Rhodes (Operations Manager at Oakfields College), Professor Raphael Mpofu (CEO of Inhlanyelo Hub NPC), Molefi Mohapi (Fashion Design Lecturer at Oakfields College), and all the participants from the first Bosadi cohort. Ntombenhle Mabena, a standout member of the cohort, was also photographed alongside fellow participants as they showcased their designs and shared their entrepreneurial journeys.
Following the success of the inaugural cohort, the second intake of the Bosadi Fashion Design Business Start-up Programme has already begun, with participants currently undergoing training and business model development. The next Bosadi Fashion Showcase is scheduled to take place on 31 January 2026, where a new group of talented entrepreneurs will unveil their fashion lines and business visions.
The programme also plans to expand beyond fashion into other creative disciplines in the coming year, continuing to align with the broader vision of Oakfields College and Inhlanyelo Hub: empowering youth through skills-based, entrepreneurial education.
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