15 May 2014

She has taken the handcraft and accessory design to greater heights and has designed for many celebrities across Africa. Boitshoko Kebakile is a passionate Motswana woman who has made a mark in the fashion industry.

Amolemo Nkwe caught up with the bubbly and stunning Kebakile for a chit chat.

AMO: Please tell us about yourself?

BOI: I am a 27 year old Motswana woman who is a daughter, sister and aunt. I was born in Ramotswa and grew up in Lesotho, Maseru. I have a passion for the manufacturing sector as well as a flair for making handcrafted accessories.

My brand, House of Divinity is the result of the combination of these elements of my personality, together with my keen interest in entrepreneurship.

I credit my studies in International Relations and Applied Economics at WITS (The University of the Witwatersrand) for empowering me and turning me into a visionary, an entrepreneur who sought to contribute to my country’s economic diversification programme.

I look forward to establishing House of Divinity to be a strong player in the African manufacturing industry as well as significantly impacting the continent’s blooming fashion industry.

Moreover, I look forward to living a life filled with passion and purpose by relentlessly following my dreams.

AMO: What kinds of ornaments do you make and what material do you use?

BOI: House of Divinity (HOD) accessories are exquisitely handcrafted, each piece is designed as a one-of-a-kind wearable artwork.

They carry a pleasant marriage of contemporary designs and African influences.

The raw materials used include beads of all kinds, leather, and fabrics as well as wires, depending on the design.

It is however, my intention to pursue a fine jewelry making course, which will have the effect of honing my skills and refining my craft.

AMO: Where do you get the raw materials?

BOI: At the moment, I source my raw materials from local and regional suppliers.

AMO: Please give us places where you have previously exhibited your products?

BOI: I have exhibited at a number of fetes and stalls, which include the University of Botswana’s advertising association’s symposium of branding for SMMES (2013) , Gaborone Fashion week (2012), Colonial Collection International Fashion Show, Lusaka , Zambia (2011).I have also adorned local, regional, and international personalities such as Oratile Jazzelle Kebakile( local radio veteran and PR Practitioner), Mbali Kgosidintsi( extremely passionate and talented artist and poet) , Kearoma Rantao (one of my favourite local jazz songstresses), Miss Botswana 2013, Rosemary Keaikitse as she did our country proud at the Miss World contest in Indonesia, Penny Lebyane (famous South African media personality) and one of the biggest honors to date was having Anita Quansah wear a pair of earrings I made. Internationally, she is at the top of the game when it comes to designers of handcrafted accessories.

AMO: What has been the reception of Batswana and the market?

BOI: Locally, the reception has been extremely positive.
The same with regional and international market.
My greatest challenge is capacity, meeting the demand as well as expanding into the other product ranges I want to offer under HOD.

AMO: What are you future plans concerning your brand in terms of expansion?

BOI: My (very near) future expansion plans include going beyond jewelry and incorporating indoor and outdoor home accessories.
I am in the process of restructuring my young business and have had an exciting journey meeting different people who will help bring this vision to life.

AMO: How has being a jewelry designer changed your life?

BOI: Being an accessory designer has helped me find my voice, embracing entrepreneurship as a journey has unleashed a creative fire in me that is helping me grow, understand myself as well as helped me manifest life through the good and bad times and I am loving the journey thus far.

AMO: Besides being a designer, what else do you do?

BOI: I do not do anything else at the moment.
For me, I find it critical to devote my undivided energy at this stage to my business, especially considering that it is still a baby.
However, opportunities have come up, to be a part of both regional and international organisations that are involved in women’s empowerment and African trade.
I find these opportunities truly exciting as they represent synchronicities between my business and my academic background.

AMO: What would you like to see changed/ improved or implemented in the fashion industry in Botswana?

BOI: I am excited by the changes happening in the local fashion industry and certain that we are on a very strong upward trajectory to making a name for Botswana in both continental and international fashion stages.
However, there are certain issues that need to be addressed so as to safeguard this very bright future. Some of these include; capacity building for local designers so that they are able to compete with regional, continental and international designers and to echo to the Minister of Trade and Industry that there should be a less cumbersome access to trading licenses for home based businesses.

AMO: Thank you darling and good luck!

BOI: It is a pleasure doll!

ENDS