Driven to achieve his dream: Aubrey spent NSFAS money wisely to start his business

While others misuse the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding to impress the world or to abuse allowances, for Aubrey Gerald Liee, he opted to make a difference to initiate a business with the Nsfas grant.

Born and bred in a small township, Thabong in Free State, Aubrey is a graduate from Central University of Technology.

He is the oldest among his two siblings, and he had to set a good example to his siblings.

Unpacking his personal life with Kasi Voice News, the Fashionista says that he had passion to venture into a clothing business from his early stages in life.

“Growing up, I loved everything that indulged in fashion. I became curious about the making of clothing design items when I was 17-years-old.

So, I would always visit my neighbour and observed how she used the sowing machine, until one day I asked her to borrow me so that I may practice,” he said.

Aubrey added that he started saving money from the allowance he got from NSFAS and bought himself a brand new sewing machine, “That is how my journey of manufacturing clothing began,” he shared.

Furthermore, he explained that at the age of 21, he was encouraged by his girlfriend to make profit out of the clothes he manufactured, by putting them on sale, and as they say, the rest is history.

“One thing about me, I am a very curious man, and my curiosity has done so much for me.

“I’m always eager to learn, this is why I believe I’m going far. I’m a cotton-eater and a cotton-lover , and I believe that one day my name will be mentioned in the textile industry, who knows? And I also hope South Africa and the rest of the world is ready for me,” he concluded.

Here are some of his “easy on the eye” designs: