April 2023 - Lowveld

Blooming with
GRACE
Businesswoman, clothing designer, chat show host,
friend, mother … Trudy Zulu balances life like a pro.
Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY. Photographer: MBONGO KESWA
08 Get It Lowveld April 2023
Growing up in White River, Trudy explains that her formative years were
an incredible experience, shaping her outlook on life in so many positive
ways. “There were three siblings,” she recalls, “and emphasis was always
placed on the importance of serving and sharing with others.” Trudy
decided early on that she wanted to help improve the lives of others,
especially young people. “The environment you grow up and live in is
everything,” she says. “My ultimate goal was to know enough about key
industries that would have a positive influence on the future. I’ve studied
admin, green technology and data analytics, and I am currently doing my
MBA in entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Trudy has always nurtured a love of the music industry, seeing herself
involved in it someday. Following her heart in that direction led to her
starting up a production company with friend and business partner
Triumph Lubisi. T & T Media was the fulfilment of a dream, creating uplifting,
inspiring local content to which people could relate. Another one of
Trudy’s passions was clothing. In high school, she loved being creative,
and fashion was the ideal outlet. In that vein, she decided to start her own
fashion brand, Zapporrah, which offers high-end designs at an affordable
price. “What inspired me to start the brand was the problem I found I had
finding clothing that fit my body as a young, tall African woman with curves
and a particular waist,” Trudy explains. “I wanted to create a clothing brand
whose name spoke of the beauty of African women, which realistically
catered for people like me around the world. Actually, any woman who
wants to embrace the beauty of their uniqueness.”
It doesn’t end there, however. Trudy’s latest and most fulfilling endeavour
to date is the development of female entrepreneurs in Africa, which
she does through STEM and ESD programmes, as well as speaking
engagements done in conjunction with an organisation she has founded
called Bloom with Grace, which focuses on empowering individuals,
especially women. “I never realised this project would take up so much of
my time,” she smiles. “The reality is that our country has many challenges,
which actually presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurship. What’s
also important to note is the high level of unemployment, especially
among the youth. Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of SA’s economy,
contributing to about 40% of the country’s GDP. It just makes sense that
we need more entrepreneurs, which will result in more job opportunities
for the unemployed. I believe it is crucial that we make sure entrepreneurs
receive the tools they need in order to have a fighting chance in this very
volatile economy.”