25 Jan 2017

Traditionally, dressmaking was a trade associated with women, a societal norm that  stood the ages.

However, in this era where business opportunities are hard to come by, such a line is getting blurred.

Mr Joseph Motlotlegi of Daejoe is one of those who have realised that blurring the line by venturing into ‘women’s territory’ had  potential of taking him to greater heights.

The 26-year-old who was born and bred in Mahetlwe in the Kweneng District said he fell in love with sewing since childhood when he used to watch his mother sew clothes for members of the family using a domestic machine.

“By then, I never thought it would be something I can survive on, but here I am today. I eat, drink and live sewing. It is now part of my life”, he said. Mr Motlotlegi said his uninspiring Junior Certificate results in 2006 did not dampen him, and that in 2007 he went to Tshwaragano Brigade in Gabane where he completed his Certificate in Dressmaking in 2009.

He said that was when he began to realize his strength in the dressmaking profession.

“After completing my studies I used that same domestic machine which my mother used and it did work for me as I could buy myself toiletry, clothes and contribute to other family needs,” he said.

Today through Poverty Eradication Programme, Mr Motlotlegi and his workmate Mr Opasitse Rebakae have managed to acquire electronic dressmaking machines in April last year after going through a short course.

He expressed his gratitude towards the programme insisting that he is now able to expand his dreams and is hoping for an even better life and business prospects.

Mr Motlotlegi also indicated that the Poverty Eradication Programme has in so much ways improved his life as it teaches its beneficiaries “how to catch fish instead of catching it for them.”

He acknowledged that challenges are there in the dressmaking market just like in any other business, and said that the ones they experience most are late payment and doubt on their abilities by some customers as some prefer well-known tailors in large villages such as Molepolole, Lentsweletau and even as far as Kopong over them.

Despite these challenges, Mr Motlotlegi said he is aware that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and that the business is still new in the village and needs more time.

“I have already started marketing the project in other villages in the region and that has started bearing some fruits,” he said.

He said Daejoe business specializes in school uniforms, traditional attire, African attire and traditional shoes among others.

Mr Motlotlegi urged other Poverty Eradication Programme beneficiaries to take it seriously insisting that it can be a way of creating employment for other young people in the community. BOPA