Two Mams women create traditional clothing label
Their passion for art will never stop, even though they don’t have enough materials.
Meet Simphiwe Mahlangu (36) and Bongi Zide (48), from Mamelodi East extension 6, who share the same passion for traditional art.
They are both artists and can design anything out of nothing from traditional clothes, fabric neckpieces, beads, handbags and leather shoes.
The duo first started working together in 2019 and formed their own clothing label called Tsoga O iketsetse.
They described themselves as natural-born artists who take their work very seriously.
Bongi Zide said her passion for designing with beads and designing clothes started a while back at Vista Clinic when she was a patient.
She said the nurses kept the patients busy with beads and sewing.
Simphiwe Mahlangu said their passion for art will never stop, even though they don’t have enough materials.
She said she was taught to design at her previous church, where they heard of the opportunity to design their own traditional clothing.
The two women said they love to work with their hands and all their designs have a touch of tradition.
Zide said they have created new designs and most of their customers are their friends, because “when they see us, they plead with us to design for them, the same attire,” said Zide.
“Besides that, we market our designs on social media and in future, we want to design traditional wedding clothes.”
Mahlangu said working with their hands has helped them a lot especially with putting food on the table.
They sell their artwork at a reasonable price.
Zide further said their main goal is to grow their clothing label and share their talents with the youth and unemployed women who depend on social grants money to start their own businesses with art.
Mahlangu added that her dream is to open their own store where they will be selling proudly South African products only.
“This not an easy job, but if you do something with passion and dedication you will see good results because you have put a lot of effort and time,” said Mahlangu.
Their message to the youth of Mamelodi is to stop taking drugs because it will destroy their future by ending up in jail.
Zide and Simphiwe can be contacted on 079-195-0724 or 060-608-6937.
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