Stutterheim-born Songezo Njokwana is the founder of Pre-village Lifestyle clothing brand, a visual artist, and a creative design lecturer in the fashion department at Walter Sisulu University.
He is the founder behind a township bodybuilding and lifestyle club and also the founder and administrator of Dimbaza News on Facebook, and of the Dimbaza Community Builder of the Year awards.
Njokwana relocated to Dimbaza at age five, where his love for fashion began to develop, sparked by his natural talent for drawing.
Even during school, he often ignored lessons in favour of sketching, and teachers recognised his gift.
In high school, he befriended a peer who was also interested in fashion, which inspired him further.
Encouraged by others who recognised his skill, he eventually considered fashion design as a career path.
Initially, Njokwana’s first choice at university was graphic design, with fashion as a backup.
However, struggles with graphic design led him into fashion, where he immersed himself in learning from street culture, understanding it as more than just clothing but also behaviour, attitude, and subcultures that shaped identity.
At Walter Sisulu University, which was Border Technikon at the time, he pursued fashion out of passion for visual creativity rather than formal artistic training.
Under the mentorship of Amir Khan, who nurtured his potential, he grew as both a designer and lecturer.
His eventual return to the institution was motivated by the desire to give back and pass on his skills to others.
Initially, Njokwana created a brand named Songs and Jocks, based on his names, but felt it lacked a meaningful story.
Determined to build a brand with longevity, he founded Pre-village Lifestyle.
“The brand draws inspiration from ordinary people in villages, townships, and informal settlements. Its logo, the phoenix, symbolises resilience, rebirth, and rising from hardship,” Njokwana said.
He describes the brand as deeply rooted in values of ubuntu, aiming to inspire self-love, pride, and the ability to overcome adversity.
Unlike trend-based labels, Pre-village Lifestyle is built to outlast fleeting fashions, carrying cultural depth and storytelling in its design
“Unlike trend-based labels, Pre-village Lifestyle is built to outlast fleeting fashions, carrying cultural depth and storytelling in its design,” he said.
At the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey, he believed success depended on dressing celebrities.
However, he was advised to focus on building a strong brand, which would naturally attract attention.
This advice shifted his mindset, leading him to prioritise quality and authenticity.
Eventually, celebrities such as Mafa Bavuma and Stokey from Gqeberha: The Empire wore his brand, along with hip-hop artists such as Kupa, who supported him.
Living and working in East London has allowed the 44-year-old to manage multiple roles as a lecturer, designer, and visual artist.
“Beyond fashion, I am also involved in promoting health and fitness. Along with a friend of mine in Dimbaza, we cofounded a bodybuilding and healthy lifestyle club named QuestEkasi,” said Njokwana.
This initiative was created to counter the rise of drug abuse among unemployed youth after factory closures in the area.
Through events and competitions, the club gained popularity and inspired many young people to pursue bodybuilding as a profession.
He himself has become a competitive bodybuilder, travelling across SA and mentoring others in the discipline.
His contributions extend beyond fashion and fitness into community development.
He founded a Facebook page called Dimbaza News, intended to serve and uplift the Dimbaza community.
“The platform became a huge source of local information, especially around crime reporting and community issues. Over time, it grew significantly, amassing more than 120,000 followers,” said Njokwana.
He takes pride in the positive affect it has had, positioning it as a grassroots media outlet that empowers residents and amplifies their voices.
Njokwana said that he faced challenges as a black entrepreneur.
“Access to funding was a persistent barrier, with bureaucratic red tape making it difficult to start and grow businesses but I was fortunate to finance my own brand through employment here at WSU,” he said.
Njokwana acknowledges the struggles of others who lack such resources.
“The lack of belief in black-owned businesses, both from within the black community and outside it, is the one holding our people back.”
“The tendency to doubt black businesses’ ability to deliver quality, meet deadlines, or provide services equal to others, results in stereotypes and hesitancy,” Njokwana said.
He called for these prejudices to be overcome by giving black businesses a fair chance.
For me, the brand is not just about selling clothes, it is a lifestyle and a movement inspired by the philosophy of ubuntu
Njokwana said one was being admitted to study Fashion at WSU, an opportunity offered only to a few chosen students.
“I deeply valued being admitted here and through my hard work and dedication I went on and won several awards including being the best overall student and best technical student during my final year at WSU,” he said.
However, Njokwana regards the creation of Pre-village Lifestyle as his greatest achievement.
“For me, the brand is not just about selling clothes, it is a lifestyle and a movement inspired by the philosophy of ubuntu. I am proud that my brand attracts supporters naturally, even without heavy marketing efforts, as people believe in what it represents.”
He sends heartfelt advice to young graduates, particularly those from underserved communities about the importance of education, cautioning against the growing tendency of people looking down on its value.
“Education is crucial because running a business is far more than just selling, it involves marketing, financial management, branding, and quality control,” Njokwana said.
Daily Dispatch
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