One way or another, sewing has always been a part of Uyanda's life. As a small child she would watch her grandmother, a seamstress at a Mdantsane clothing factory, sewing together scraps of material into lovely garments. Her aunts were also avid sewers and so, surrounded by a resourceful family, her ambition of creating clothes emerged.

Uyanda has been the driving force behind the scenes in Purely Embroidery and Beading. Over the last 18 months she has created wonderful bags, place mats and special beaded necklaces, based on her cultural background. For the last two months she has also been taking quilting lessons and has brought a new dimension to this age old American tradition. Inspired by her heritage, the colours of Africa and her love of 'shweshwe' material, she has produced some stunning pieces, one of which will be traveling to America to be exhibited in 'The Free Range Gallery' in Raleigh, North Carolina. .

Having learned the basics of fashion design at school, during which time she created many matric dance dresses, Uyanda decided to study design and completed a four year course in 2002. This is where her true passion lies and being exceptionally proud of her culture and heritage, she does not want to lose her roots but rather aims to modernize the more traditional clothes. .

Her first fashion show is to be held on 27 November 09 at the Amahlathi Craft Mania Festival and the second is already lined up for February at Old Thomas River Historical Village. This extremely talented and yet unassuming young woman hopes to continue learning about design, improve her innovative skill and creative thinking, and one day in the future, open her own boutique. Meanwhile she intends giving back to her community by teaching other youth to sew and so not only teaching them a skill, but affording them the opportunity to become self employed. .

Contact Uyanda Magida on: 083 345 3854