In the small town of Villiersdorp, a woman by the name of Sindiwe Mlotshwa (52) is attempting to make the Guinness Book of World Records, for folding the most shirts in one minute.
Mlotshwa, mother of three and former domestic worker, was inspired to attempt the record after watching a video of the current record holder, Sheila Amos, fold 23 shirts in the same time. She was struck by the incredible speed and precision required to achieve such a feat, and decided to see if she could do the same.
“It was my work. I did it at home and did it almost every day as a domestic worker,” Mlotshwa told Standard. “I just felt as if I could do it more quickly, and had wanted to do something like this all my life. I can fold 25 shirts in a minute even though it’s not easy.
She remembers looking at the Guinness World Book of Records at the public library in her home town of Queenstown in the Eastern Cape.
“It was always so interesting. I always looked at the pictures and wondered how one achieved that. How do they find those people? One day during lockdown, my daughter was on Facebook and I saw a video of someone attempting to break the world record in knitting, and we investigated on the internet. I saw one of the categories was for folding a shirt very fast. I actually laughed and never knew anything like that could be in a book. I knew I could do it faster. My daughter sent the publishers an email and we got an entry form.”
She has practised for months, using a variety of techniques and strategies to increase her speed and accuracy. She has studied videos of Amos and other previous record holders and has experimented with different folding styles and hand movements to find the most efficient way to fold a shirt.
“Nothing beats my method, one my mother have taught me when I was younger.”
Mlotshwa has lived in Villiersdorp for eight months due to her husband’s work obligations.
“He is part of a contracting team and will work on a project nearby for the next few years. I am still looking for a job, but my focus is on this record.”
She sent her entry form at the end of last year and received feedback a few weeks ago.
“I will have a test run on a video call in June this year and they will let me know what to do next. Some may find it simple, but I will be proud of the achievement. My kids too.”
Mlotshwa remains determined to pursue her dream and attempt the record. She sees it as an opportunity to inspire other women and girls in her community to pursue their own dreams and aspirations, no matter how big or small.
“I want to show other women that anything is possible if they believe in themselves and work hard,” she said.
“I want to show them that even if one comes from a small town or a disadvantaged background one can achieve the things one wants.”
She is confident she can break Amos’ record and make history. Whether or not she succeeds she has already inspired countless people through her determination and perseverance, and has shown even the most seemingly impossible dreams can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
“My family is proud of me. Two of my children still live in the Eastern Cape, but we talk every day. They constantly ask me how the record breaking attempt is going.”
