Entrepreneur creates beauty from recycled materials
“I learned crocheting from my very artistic mother."
Joburg east entrepreneur and mother of two Makhosazane Rosa Sekgwama creates beauty from recycled materials on a daily basis.
Growing up in a mud house, Sekgwama was born in a rural area in KwaZulu-Natal where she lived a simple life. As a young girl she enjoyed crocheting mats out of plastic with her grandmother.
She moved to Ladysmith while she was still in her teens.
“I learned crocheting from my very artistic mother. I started crocheting beanies and scarves for my toddler daughter back in 2017 as a way of reconnecting with the skill. I soon crocheted for friends and colleagues’ children.
“I then continued crocheting little baskets which I sold at local pop-up markets in Maboneng. Rosa Handmade in SA was born from there and I have never stopped,” she said.
Sekgwama explains that she has been running her business for almost two years and she is proud to say everything is going the way she has imagined.
“I’m inspired by nature, childhood memories of a simple life, old rustic spaces and knowing good things take time.
“I am also a mother of two children and I run my household. I generally enjoy doing things myself and that includes gardening,” said Sekgwama.
She makes a variety of storage baskets, rugs, handbags and ottomans and pillows from recycled cotton fabric materials from local clothing factories.
“What I love about what I do is that it is a slow, repetitive and calming technique of turning a string of yarn into a useful product, knowing what we create is appreciated. This gives me great joy.
“It is a very strenuous job especially if you are in charge of everything, but it is worth it,” she said.
Her hopes and dreams for 2020 are on track as she will showcase her work at Design Indaba 2020 which will open many more doors for her and Rosa Handmade in SA.
“I look forward to more international exhibitions in 2020 as we co-showcased in Paris Design Week last year with other local designers.
“I already employ five people and our aim is to become a well known name in the homeware design industry both nationally and internationally and to empower more local women with jobs.”
