27 Aug 2018

For a long time, fashion design was viewed as a vocation for females, however, such is no longer the case with the likes of Mr Joseph Motlotlegi of Da Joe Fashions doing a good job at it just like women.

Armed only with a certificate in dress making from Tshwaragano Brigade, the 27-year-old Mr Motlotlegi knew that some day his name would ring a bell in the fashion industry.

The Mahetlwe-born youngster said two years after being funded under the Poverty Eradication Programme, he decided to relocate from Mahetlwe to Metsimotlhabe to establish his business.

“Metsimotlhabe appeared to be strategic for the business considering that it is near to the city, and it made business sense to tap into the larger market presented by the city,” stated Mr Motlotlegi. He said his passion for sewing started from an early age as he would watch with interest his mother sewing clothes for the family using the domestic machine.

“By then, I never thought it would be something I can survive with but here I am today. I eat, drink, smell and live sewing, it is now part of my life,” he said.

He also indicated that the Poverty Eradication Programme had in many ways improved his life.

Like any other business, he said he faced his fair share of challenges but with perseverance he has achieved what seemed unachievable.

Mr Motlotlegi, whose products got position one and two in the categories of dress making during the Molepolole Agricultural Show, said that marketed his products.

The young designer said his products did not only compete in Molepolole Agricultural Show, but went on to get position two in dress making during the Gaborone Agricultural Dhow.

Dae Joe specialises in school uniforms, traditional and African attire, traditional shoes and curtains among others. ENDS