Lizalise’s crochet items prove a hit

MFUNDO PILISO and
SINAZO SIVE NGANGI

In an era dominated by screens and fast-paced digital trends, 10-year-old Lizalise Stali is bringing back a timeless craft with remarkable flair.

While crocheting has traditionally been associated with older generations, this young Gen
Z fashion prodigy is using a hook and yarn to build a blooming design empire from the ground up.

From as early as age two, Lizalise possessed a strong sense of personal style, firmly rejecting anything that failed to resonate with her vision.

While her peers dreamt of conventional careers, her answer was always clear, loud, and
bold: fashion designer.

A single handmade scrunchie worn to school quickly spiraled into a booming mini-business.
After her custom headbands caught the eye of her school dance teacher, resulting in an order for the entire troupe – Lizalise’s creative venture
officially took off.

Today, the grade 6 pupil who hails from Mdantsane and attends Kokstad’s St Mary’s
Catholic School, has her sights set on expanding her line into custom crocheted skirts and full garments.

Lizalise is a complete self-taught trailblazer. Her mother, Nomphelo, said there was no
previous history of crocheting in the family.

“This is something she was able to teach herself ,” Nomphelo said.

“Because she found it so interesting and it tied into the fashion designing she had been aspiring to do from a young age, she was able to excel on
her own.

Funny enough, she is currently teaching her grandmother how to crochet!”

Lizalise currently resides with her maternal grandmother and primary caregiver, Funeka
Nteta, who manages the day-to-day operations of
the enterprise.

Meanwhile, her mother serves as the primary sponsor and strategic collaborator, helping source wool and raw materials from Beacon Bay.

Beyond her natural artistic talent, Lizalise exhibits extraordinary leadership and business
acumen.

“She brings the idea early, lays it down, leaves you with it, and then gives you a couple of days to think about it before sending a gentle reminder.

“That gentle approach gets her what she wants. It’s a true collaboration,” Nomphelo said.

Despite her growing commercial success, Lizalise maintains an impressive balance between
entrepreneurship, sports, and academics.

In addition to playing school hockey and attending Sunday church, she recently scored a
perfect 100% distinction in robotics.

Nomphelo, who recently launched her own recruitment agency, NabuBomi Talent, believes
parents should avoid boxing in creative children.

“The best thing we can do as parents is be supportive and form a basis of friendship where
they can share their fears and aspirations.

“You become the first point of contact for their imagination, creating an environment that
supports all of that to become possible.”

With unwavering family backing and limitless
ambition, Lizalise is proving that passion knows
no age limit.