Rufaro Garments is a vertically integrated company that manufactures and distributes quality school uniforms, mainly for affordable independent schools in South Africa.
In South Africa, quality school uniforms were priced for the elite. They were priced high and packaged neatly for the top 1%, leaving independent schools serving working-class families to limited or overpriced options. Since its founding in 2014, Rufaro Garments has filled this gap.
Rufaro Garments
Rufaro Garments is a vertically integrated clothing company that designs, manufactures, and distributes uniforms for schools, corporations, and healthcare clients. It controls every production stage, from fabric sourcing to stitching and delivery, thereby cutting costs and maintaining consistent quality.
This has produced up to 50% more affordable uniforms than those from major suppliers, without compromising style or durability.
Today, Rufaro Garments serves over 40,000 students across South Africa and the SADC region. It also employs 65 people, mostly young black women, and it is a deliberate decision to boost local employment and economic inclusion.
The company uses a multi-channel distribution model that starts with custom-built shops at school premises, sales directly from its factory and an e-commerce platform with delivery and pick-up options. This model makes uniforms more accessible to parents and tailored to each school’s identity.
Since its establishment 11 years ago, the business has grown from producing for schools to serving corporate companies and clients in healthcare. It has also grown into corporate apparel and now provides branded marketing materials and corporate wear, catering to educational institutions and businesses needing uniform solutions.
Supporting the local economy
Rufaro Garments also supports the local textile economy. The business works closely with local suppliers for raw materials and runs all production in-house, keeping value in the community and building skills within the workforce.
Founded by South African businesswoman Annie Sibindi Muronda, Rufaro continues to scale up production to meet growing regional demand, upgrade manufacturing standards to compete globally, and expand online platforms to improve access for remote schools and clients. They have made school uniforms more affordable for families, more efficient for schools, and more sustainable for the economy.
