WATCH: Simo’s perfection meets his creativity
His handcrafted leather items so impressed Ngxokolo, who founded the popular Maxhosa brand, that he was offered a cash prize to inject into his business
Simo Sinzane’s craft puts food on the table. Stitch by stitch he makes the most beautiful leather accessories, from handbags to key holders, purses and laptop bags.
What makes this altogether more extraordinary is that Simo makes everything by hand.
There is just no end to this man’s creative talent.
It is how he learned this craft that grips a person’s imagination.
“Growing up in Ilinge in Queenstown, money was very tight,” he said while cutting out another pattern on a piece of leather.
His mom would bring home pieces of leather that she collected from her work as a cleaner.
The leather pieces would be used to patch Simo’s shoes – she would also stitch together various goods that would be sold to supplement the household income.
Simo was often roped in to help his mother stitch while his friends were playing soccer outside.
“I use to watch them from the window while automatically stitch another piece of leather together,” he said.
He became so crafty that his friends use to bring him soccer balls to patch.
Some even took their shoes to him so that he could repair it.
The chore later became a little income.
“I started appreciating what I could do with leather and I started loving the irresistible smell of leather,” he said.
Simo’s dream was to study clinical engineering but it was a far distant dream because there were just no funds to pay for his studies.
After school, he worked for a contracting company that serviced valves at power stations.
The artist in him longed to create. He started making and selling bags to his colleagues.
“People were fascinated by my craft and the designs, and I realised I can make a go of this.”
In 2015 he took the bold step and decided to go full-time in his leather crafting work.
He has never looked back since then.
In 2017 Simo was selected as a top designer/business by world-renowned fashion designer Laduma Ngxokolo during the Chivas Regal fashion development programme in Gauteng.
His handcrafted leather items so impressed Ngxokolo, who founded the popular Maxhosa brand, that he was offered a cash prize to inject into his business.
Simo said he was now making car key cases and he hoped to partner with car dealerships, which would distribute the cases.
The cases add a classy and creative look to the key.
“I will be running a leathercraft training workshop later this year where I will be teaching people how to make leather products. After the workshop people can start a business that can offer a sustainable income. So I believe by teaching the next person, I can transfer a skill that will make them money to help get them out of poverty or better their lives.”
For more information regarding Simo’s products and training workshops go and look at his Facebook page Blaqmor Leather or follow him on Instagram, Twitter or phone Simo on 081 749 2164.
Video: Simo bags hearts with his crafts
