Hendrina Lazarus (44) sits at her sewing machine in the bright, clean workspace of the Katutura Incubator Centre, surrounded by fabric, sketches and the soft hum of industry. A far cry from where she began her tailoring journey.
In 2015, faced with unemployment and three children to feed, Lazarus began renting space in a shack in Havana, Windhoek’s informal settlement.
“I started my business because I needed a source of income. I had no job, and I had to survive,” she said.
She learned tailoring at the Windhoek Youth Centre in 2016 and then honed her skills by working with others in the industry before venturing out on her own.
“My former employer encouraged me to start my own business,” she recalls.
Lazarus’ talent for design quickly became her hallmark.
“I love cutting and designing. I just look at pictures of outfits and cut the design straight from the idea in my mind,” she said with passion.
Her business steadily grew, but operating from the informal settlement stood risks.
“Things were being stolen, and it was not safe where I used to operate in Havana,” she explained.
In 2020, shortly after getting married, she made the decision to relocate for safety and growth. By 2022, she moved into the Katutura Incubator Centre, a municipal facility offering small business owners affordable rent, water and cleaning services for just N$1700 per month.
“The environment here is healthy for business. I’m very grateful to the government for helping us with sewing machines. We’re still waiting for the funding they promised, but we’re hopeful,” Lazarus said.
With two part-time workers and one full-time employee, her small operation is both a source of income for others and a vital part of her family’s livelihood. Together with her husband, they support their three children, aged 18, 7 and 3.
Income varies, depending on the season and demand, with monthly earnings ranging from N$3 000 to N$8 000. However, challenges remain.“Sometimes customers place orders and never come to collect them. That’s a big problem for a small tailor like me,” she said.
She advertises through word-of-mouth, and social media such as WhatsApp status, Facebook, and relies on her friends to spread the word.
“Despite the ups and downs, I remain optimistic. It’s easy to start, all you need is a domestic sewing machine and the drive to work hard,” she said.