In a market where safari-style fashion is overlooked, Limpopo-based entrepreneur Malebo Pebetse Matlala is carving out a distinct niche with her brand, Makatani.
Fusing African heritage, functionality and style, Makatani meets the
untapped needs of farmers, adventurers and nature lovers across South Africa.
Founded in 2019, Makatani was born from Matlala’s deep appreciation for nature and her lifelong connection to farming.
“I have always loved the outdoors. Growing up in rural Limpopo, I was constantly inspired by Africa’s diverse landscapes and rich natural beauty. I wanted to create a brand that reflects that beauty and showcases the values of our culture,” Matlala explained.
Her rural upbringing played a pivotal role in shaping the vision of the brand.
“Our grandparents would go to the farm in their regular clothes. There were no uniforms that combined function with a sense of pride and identity,” Matlala recalls.
As she began her entrepreneurial journey, Matlala identified that safari-style clothing was underrepresented in South Africa’s fashion scene.
“We discovered that outdoor workers, farmers and adventurers often struggle to find durable, functional and stylish clothing,” she noted.
“That’s when we decided to step in and create something that would serve this underserved market.”
Makatani’s designs are rooted in the natural world, blending functionality with symbolic meaning. For instance, the green colour used in the apparel represents trees, while the khaki symbolises soil and rocks.
“We wanted to capture the essence of the land itself in the clothes. The colours speak to nature, and they embody the African experience,” Matlala explained.
The brand sources materials from local suppliers in Gauteng and its products are currently marketed and sold through social media platforms.
Initially, Matlala was responsible for the designs, but as the business grew, she trained a team to support production. Today, Makatani employs 10 staff members.
“Watching the team grow has been incredibly rewarding. Passing on my skills and knowledge to others has allowed me to focus on expanding the business.”
She said that she did have challenges in educating the market about safari-style fashion and its relevance.
“At first, people didn’t understand the style; what it is or when to wear it. But over time, more people have embraced it. They now see the value in clothing that’s both functional and stylish, and that’s connected to African culture,” Matlala said.
She recently celebrated two major milestones, which were completing a three-year programme at the Sekhukhune Centre for Entrepreneurship and becoming a member of Proudly South African. These achievements have been crucial in helping her business evolve.
“The entrepreneurship course gave me invaluable business knowledge, and being part of Proudly South African is opening new doors for us,” Matlala said.
“It’s also a powerful marketing tool, as people are increasingly supporting local, homegrown brands.”
With a growing customer base and expanding recognition, Mokatani is now poised to grow beyond its local roots. And Matlala’s vision of creating an African-centric brand that speaks to the needs of South Africa’s outdoor-loving community, is being realised.
