Dorm room hustle to fashion empire

DAR ES SALAAM: THE morning light in the Maktouch Clothing studio in Dar es Salaam is filtered through rows of hanging silks, heavy brocades, and vibrant African prints.

In the centre of the room, Hawa Makweta stands before a mannequin, draped in a deep emerald fabric destined for a high-profile government gala. She adjusts a lapel with a surgeon’s precision, her eyes scanning for the slightest imperfection in the seam.

Around her, the air is thick with the rhythmic, mechanical hum of twenty-five sewing machines, a symphony of productivity that Hawa has conducted for years.

Watching her navigate this bustling centre of commerce and creativity, it is difficult to imagine a time when her design studio was merely a cramped dorm room at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). Yet, it was there, amidst textbooks and late-night study sessions, that the seeds of Maktouch were sown.

International Women’s Day may have passed, but the stories of those breaking glass ceilings remain more relevant than ever. Hawa’s rise from a dorm-room side hustle to a fashion powerhouse embodies the true meaning of sustainable empowerment; she didn’t just join an industry; she built her own.

Hawa’s entry into the fashion world was born not of childhood dreams, but of pragmatic necessity. While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising, she faced the common challenge of many university students, the need for financial independence.

Her first foray into business was simple. She began buying vitenge (African wax print fabrics) in bulk and reselling them to her fellow students. It was a classic buy-andsell hustle, but Hawa possessed an instinctive ability to read her market. She soon noticed a recurring pattern in her sales. Her customers weren’t just looking for fabric; they were looking for an identity.

“Students would buy the fabric and then pause,” Hawa reflects. “The next question was always, ‘This is beautiful, but who can I trust to sew it? Who can make me look like the person I want to be?’”

Hawa realized she was standing at the threshold of a massive, unmet demand. Her peers didn’t just want raw material; they wanted finished outfits, unique designs, and someone who could translate a piece of cloth into wearable confidence.

Instead of pointing them toward local tailors, she decided to become the bridge herself. She traded her free time for a sewing machine, transforming herself from a mere fabric vendor into a skilled designer.

The transition from studenttailor to a legitimate brand owner required more than just creative talent; it required a level of financial discipline that borders on the legendary. After graduating, Hawa knew that to scale her business beyond the dormitory, she needed significant capital.

Rather than seeking highinterest loans or waiting for a benefactor, she took a job and embarked on a rigorous two-year savings plan. While her peers were exploring the newfound freedom of a post-grad salary, Hawa was living on the bare minimum.

She saved an incredible 80 per cent of her income, funnelling every possible cent into the dream of Maktouch Clothing.

“People saw the sacrifice, but I saw the foundation,” she says. “I wasn’t just saving money; I was buying my future freedom.”

This period of disciplined saving allowed her to eventually open her dream office and workshop, debtfree. It is a lesson she frequently shares with young women today: the importance of delayed gratification in the pursuit of a long-term vision.

Today, Maktouch Clothing is no longer a best-kept secret among UDSM alumni. It has become a premier destination for casual wear, official corporate attire, and breathtaking ceremonial garments.

Her portfolio reads like a who’s who of East African excellence. From the high-octane energy of Bongo Flava stars like Rajabu Ibrahim (Harmonize) and Omary Nyembo to the sophisticated presence of public figures like Haji Manara and gospel artist Joel Lwaga, Hawa’s designs have graced the biggest stages in the country.

Even government leaders have come to rely on her Maktouch for its blend of professionalism and cultural flair.

For Hawa, however, the celebrity endorsement is simply a byproduct of her commitment to quality. Whether she is designing for a famous artist or a young woman’s first job interview, the attention to detail remains identical.

This consistency has allowed her to expand her reach far beyond the borders of Tanzania, utilizing social media to secure clients in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and the United States.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Hawa’s story is her refusal to remain stagnant. While many would be content with a successful boutique, Hawa is looking toward industrialization.

She has successfully pivoted from self-employed to an employer of over 25 young Tanzanians, providing them with not just a pay check, but a specialized skill set in tailoring, production, and design.

Looking ahead, Hawa aims to transform the local industry by building a tailoring factory housing upwards of 1,000 machines.

“Tanzania has the talent and the fabric, what we need is the infrastructure to produce at scale, to create hundreds of jobs, and to show the world that ‘Made in Tanzania’ is a mark of luxury and quality,” she said.

As she walks through her studio, checking a hem here and a button there, Hawa remains a mentor at heart.

She encourages young women to start where they are, with what they have. Her story, from a university fabric seller to an award-winning CEO, is proof that when creativity is backed by discipline and a servant-leader mindset, the possibilities are limitless.

Hawa has proven that fashion is not just about clothes; it is about identifying a gap, meeting a societal need, and paving a wide, well-stitched path for others to follow.

In the world of Maktouch, every garment tells a story of perseverance. And as Hawa looks toward her future factory, it is clear that she is only just beginning to write the most important chapters of the Tanzanian fashion narrative.