09 Aug 2016

The saying ‘follow your passion and success will follow’ became true for  Ms Mavis Kubyadi (31) when she started what has now become a successful fashion business in Malolwane in the Kgatleng District.
From primary school days, Ms Kubyadi always had a solid passion for fashion.
The young woman always stood out among the rest, and when she started an ambitious fashion company called Makma Creations, no one who knew her well was surprised.
Equipped with a degree in fashion and design from Limkokwing University, she decided to pursue her calling with all her might and the rest became history.
In an interview recently, she said her talent in fashion motivated her so much that during her first year at the university, she bought her first sewing machine with her allowance.
“I have never looked back ever since, although initially, after completing my degree, I worked briefly as a dress making instructor at Kgatleng Brigade,” she said.
Since she needed practical experience in her early days, she first worked with an established fashion designer managing to buy a second sewing machine.
Makma creations was established in Malolwane in a calculated move to reach out to the communities who used to travel long distances looking for fashion designers, she said.
Ms Kubyadi said in 2012, she was able to buy yet another machine that eased her job, and she was able to occassionally engage casual labourers.
She added that her self-funded business had gone through difficult times like any other business, but she had learned a lot from the problems because they have made her strong.
Ms Kubyadi said one of the greatest challenges facing Batswana fashion designers was the lack of trust by fellow Batswana customers who prefer foreign designers for the jobs that the locals can do.
In any case, she said she had overcome such a perception by proving beyond reasonable doubt that she has the ability and capacity to please her customers.
“The local residents have been very supportive to my business,” she said, adding that even though she operated from home, she has plans to open another outlet in Mochudi for a larger market base.
She said she has clients as far as Gaborone and South Africa, who have seen some of her work and now place orders of their choice and she never disappoints.
The tailor further said Makma Creations needed to grow and become an established entity that can compete with big companies; as such, she has applied for funding with the Gender Affairs department.
“I remain positive that I will get financial assistance so that I can buy more machines and employ other youths to grow the business,” she wished.
Ms Kubyadi said her business had grown so big that today, she is able to support her family beyond herself.
She designs school uniforms, different patterns of the most loved German print, suits and other fashion designs for men and women including wedding celebration attires.
Ms Kubyadi encouraged the youth to never give up in their dreams citing her as an example because had she given up she would not be where she is today.
She said she understands that it’s not easy for youth due to financial challenges but they should not idle around doing nothing because they waste time and only stand to regret in the future.
“The youth must believe in themselves that they can bring change and pursue their dreams because no one can unless they pull up their socks and dream big”, said Ms Kubyadi. ENDS