Rundu entrepreneur sews through hardship to run her own label

Rundu-based Sarafina Mangonga, better known as Ms Hermes, has been sewing professionally for nearly two decades.During that time, Mangonga's hustle enabled her to build Finmax Fashion Design from the ground up.Mangonga tells Namibian Sun that the name of her business was inspired by her daughter Maxine, whom she had at the age of 20. “Sarafina and Max became Finmax,” she explains.Her passion for fashion was sparked in 2007 when she designed her matric farewell dress. She later refined her skills at the College of the Arts, where she earned a diploma in fashion design. After a brief stint as a temporary teacher, she decided to pursue her business full-time in 2018.But the road wasn’t smooth“There was a time I wanted to give up,” Mangonga says. Working from her home in Tuhingireni, which lacked electricity, battling transportation issues, and losing clients to competitors made things even more challenging. Rent in town was unaffordable, and some clients lost patience. Still, she pressed on.Mangonga says fashion is peaceful and therapeutic. "And when it’s wedding season, it’s good money,” she says with a smile. “The only stress is meeting deadlines, but I’ve mastered how to manage my time.”Mangonga is known for her quick turnaround. Some dresses take as little as five hours, while beaded wedding gowns can take a month or more, depending on their complexity. “I work late, sometimes until 2 or 3 in the morning, just to keep clients happy.”She’s also keen to train others. While her previous efforts to offer free community lessons were derailed by theft, she still opens her door to those genuinely interested in learning.Looking ahead, she dreams of expanding Finmax into a large operation, producing uniforms and furniture, and creating jobs for vulnerable people. Her ultimate inspiration? Her late father.“He raised 10 daughters – no sons – and he always told us, ‘Don’t wait for someone to open doors for you. Hustle. Be honest. Respect people. And never steal.’ That’s how I live,” she says.

Rundu entrepreneur sews through hardship to run her own label

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-01

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Rundu entrepreneur sews through hardship to run her own label

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-01

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