A pyjama line to inspire
A young entrepreneur has created a business to help highlight bipolar disorder awareness.
Kamogelo Aphane (20), has designed pyjamas with a special element, in remembrance of her brother, who committed suicide.
“My brother, Loyi, was diagnosed with bipolar; when he committed suicide, as a family we felt we could have done more by understanding his situation,” said Aphane.
Her brother’s favourite clothes were pyjamas, because he had sleeping pattern problems which, according to Aphane, is something from which most people with bipolar suffer.
“My business idea was sparked by my brother’s love for pyjamas,” said Aphane.
So last year, she started her pyjama line.
“The inside of the pyjamas represents manic disorder (colourful) and the outside will represent depression and bipolar disorder (dark colour),” she explained.
When someone wears the pyjamas if they are in a dark space, when they look inside their pyjamas they will find hope, a light to look to.
“The light represents the positive side of life,” said Aphane.
She said the purpose of the pyjama line is to make people talk about bipolar disorder and remove the stigma attached to the disorder.
With this brilliant idea in mind, Aphane pitched it to “The Hook Up Dinner” and “Levis Pioneer Nation”, an entrepreneurs forum.
“The aim of the forum is to encourage young people to start their own businesses and creative ideas,” said Aphane.
“We had 60 seconds to pitch our ideas, and there were 10 people from Vaal University of Technology”.
Aphane was the winner from Vaal University of Technology and went on to present the idea at the main event, which was held in Braamfontein, on September 28.
The Rynfield resident won R10 000 for her idea.
Her advice to other young people is to work hard and empower themselves by starting their own businesses.
For now she will work on registering her business and hopes to gain support from the public.
“The pyjama line will be available in December, but the launch will take place next year,” she said.
If you are interested in purchasing or supporting Aphane’s pyjama line, follow her on twitter at Kamogelo_A and, on Facebook, search for “Kamogelo Aphane”, or email to kamogeloa@gmail.com.
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