LONDON: What started as an obsession with accessories has inspired fashion-crazy Makhulu Ngqoyi-Maseko to start her own accessories business AFROXONE ACCESSORIES which is helping “bring Africa to the UK”.
Born to humble beginnings in Gauteng, South Africa in 1971, the flamboyant and trendy Makhulu – who is married to Zimbabwean health professional and fitness enthusiast, Nobert Maseko – defied the odds by successfully venturing into the highly competitive accessories sector.
Makhulu’s London-based business, situated at Ilford Plaza, now attracts many customers and admirers who have described it as a unique enterprise.
Makhulu says the business was a result of a strong determination for success which she and her influential Zimbabwean husband have had for many years.
The confident and self-driven business woman however, concedes that breaking into the sector was not easy and gives a lot of credit to her dynamic and supportive Zimbabwean husband Nobert, who works diligently behind the scenes.
Consistent with advances in technology, Afroxone has adapted to changing trends in consumer behaviour by offering online services to customers and, going forward, Makhulu wants to capture the entire African market in London and the rest of UK.
She says when it comes her business, the adage ‘you cannot be what you cannot see’ holds true for Makhulu who has become part of a very small cluster of African women in the UK willing to risk it all to make their business ideas a reality.
Makhulu is determined to break gender stereotypes and show that what a man can do she can also do, and do better. She also wants to be a role model for upcoming black and African women in the UK.
The business sources its products mainly from Africa, in particular from South Africa, but intends from expand to other parts of Africa with a view to promoting small scale producers on the continent.

Some of AFROXONE ACCESSORIES’ products