Siyabonga Africa holds first-ever school of fashion graduation
The students showed off their designs in two fashion shows during the event.
The Siyabonga Africa School of Fashion hosted its first graduation on May 12, congratulating 47 designers on the completion of their courses.
The ceremony included two fashion shows showcasing the graduates’ designs, and prizes for graduates who won either a nine-month business course or a sewing machine and fabric bundle, as well as a delicious three-course meal.
They chose the winners based on business pitches each graduate had to give at the end of their course, and the prizes are meant to help them achieve those plans.
The course included subjects like bookkeeping, stress management, e-learning and computer skills, business management, sewing and fashion design.
Of the graduates, 75% have already opened their own businesses, with five launching their web sites to sell online, according to Jacob Legodi marketing and photography director of Siyabonga Africa.
There were five groups of around 10 students, each rotating to do eight weeks of coursework. Each group had two winners receiving prizes.
One of the students started an NPO to teach others what she learnt. Another received contracts to make school uniforms, security uniforms, golf shirts and tracksuits for crèches.
The event hosted a guest speaker, Dumi Mahlangu, who spoke about how to manage a business in apparel and best practices.
Siyabonga Africa is proud of their first-ever School of Fashion graduates and hopes to empower more future students to start their own businesses and be agents of change.
