Sifiso Mbowane, the man behind Kasi Style Clothing, is originally from Marite in Bushbuckridge, but grew up in Thuthukani and Standerton in Mpumalanga. Sifiso now lives in Soweto, where he runs and manages his business. This young entrepreneur grew up in a strict, business-orientated home. "Most of my time was spent at school, playing soccer, or behind the counter at our home tuck shop. My dad taught me to be independent at a young age as I worked for everything I received at home, even for my plate", he added.

When did you start KSC, and what inspired you to go for it? "I started Kasi-Style clothing in 2012 while doing my second year at UJ. It wasn't a business at first, as I was just designing t-shirts for my friends back home look the same at the parties we used to host. People took interest in these designs, and I saw a business opportunity. I started off by selling ten t-shirts which I printed with the assistance of my varsity friends."

What challenges did you face when you started? "The challenges I faced at the beginning was getting reliable suppliers of good quality t-shirts, that was a challenge back then, but suppliers are more available these days. Also, logistics was a problem, including marketing, but I familiarised myself with social media and started with Facebook to market the business. Since then, It's been coming good, and all I could say right now is never underestimate the power of social media".

What makes your clothing brand stand out? "It's the authenticity of the brand, how it resonates with people and their background. We might be from Kasi or villages, but we are not limited to being there forever, and wherever we are, the brand connects us and helps us remember from where we came."

What are the highlights for the brand thus far? "Our business highlights so far is how the brand has grown nationwide. Opening a store in one of the biggest cities in the country, Johannesburg, and seeing the brand rocked by some of Mzansi's celebs has been incredible".

When not busy pushing KSC, what do you do to unwind? "When I am not busy with Kasi-Style clothing, I'm big on family. So, I spend time with my family to unwind or read some motivation books for knowledge".