By Lungisani Mkhulise
Beads have carried stories across generations, symbols of beauty, culture, love and identity. For Gugu Bhengu, the founder of Gugu Mobile Boutique, they are also a passport to the world. Her beadwork has travelled to Paris, London, Dubai, Australia, and even reached the hands of Prince Harry and Princess Meghan. Yet, behind the glamour of global runways and international sales, lies a quieter struggle at home, the lack of a working space for her and her team.
When Gugu creates a piece for Gugu Mobile Boutique, she doesn’t just make jewellery, she tells a story. Each piece is a mix of African culture with the customer’s own traditions, and gives each customer something deeply personal. At the centre of Gugu Mobile Boutique is a simple idea: bringing cultures together through art and craft.
“Last week I just sent an order to Australia. I researched the kind of beads they love there and found they often use Crowrie beads. So I mixed them with sea cow shells from here. That way, the product is unique to them, but also fresh and familiar,” she said.
The largest number of her clients range between ages 35-65 years in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, but younger buyers are also rushing to purchase her fashionable beaded heels. To keep her brand global, Bhengu follows international trends closely so her work is always modern, relevant, and high quality.
Her creations have taken her far beyond Durban. She has travelled to France, Paris, UK, America, Dubai, Australia, Seychelles, Mozambique, Rwanda and Egypt through her work . She has showcased her designs at Africa Fashion Week London and even had the rare honour of meeting Prince Harry and Princess Meghan during their visit to South Africa.
The need for a safe, stable place became clear during one painful experience. A plan to train 30 disabled children had to be cancelled after violence broke out near the community hall they were meant to use. For Bhengu, it was a turning point; without a secure place, her mission could not reach fruition.
“We train people, but it’s hard to find a space where we can work as a collective, we want to work together, share ideas, share profits. But without a workspace, we are forced to work separately,” she explained.
That was the moment which inspired the launch of the Gugu Art and Crafts Academy, an accredited venture. The academy will be more than a training space, it will be the future home of the business. This matters deeply to Bhengu, who wants her work to lower unemployment and even reduce crime by giving people alternatives. “It will not be just a building, it will be the foundation for everything we want to achieve in the community,” she said.
Bhengu has found support from the likes of Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), eThekwini Municipality, and the Durban Textile and Leather Institute (DTLI). These collaborations have opened doors to numerous opportunities, like the opportunity to exhibit at the recent reSURGEnce Conference Durban 2025, which took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. And for two consecutive years, Gugu Mobile Boutique won the category of Best African Accessories for the Dundee July event that perfectly matched the theme.
Bhengu dreams of owning a fully equipped school where artists can learn craft and business skills, collaborate in major projects, and venture into new business ventures such as furniture and interior decor. She also sees collaboration opportunities in African countries such as Namibia and Mozambique, where she has already spotted strong potential.
Her advice to fellow artisans is simple, “Register your business. Too many of us still treat our craft as a hobby, if you are not registered, you cannot access funding or partnerships. We need to change our mindset and see ourselves as part of the economy,” she stated.
The story of Gugu Mobile Boutique is one of both global success and local struggle. The products are ready, the customers are waiting, and the vision is clear. Now, what Bhengu and her team need most is a roof over their heads, a working place where a global dream can soar.
