17 Sep 2018

Dineo Pitso has taken a brave step into the business sector by putting into practice the textile and manufacturing skills she has acquired during her schooling days at Limkokwing University of Creative Arts and Technology.

She has decided to start her own business trading as Dee Looks Fashion and Enterprise after realising that the job market had nothing much to offer in the textile industry for a fresh graduate and even internship was a struggle for an associate degree holder.

“If one is lucky he/she could find a job as a Fashion and Fabrics teacher in a secondary or vocational institute,” she said.

Pitso from Good Hope, who did a course on dressmaking at some brigade said she also attained an Associated Degree in Textiles from Limkokwing University of Creative Arts and Technology.

She said she started her business with a small sewing machine and decided to approach youth offices for funding in order to purchase an industrial sewing machine to which she was funded to the tune of P100 000 in 2018.

“I managed to grow my business by buying quality fabrics, accessories such as zips and buttons and other machinery,” said Pitso, who identifies herself mostly with bags in particular making and repairing them.

She explained that with the funding from YDF she managed to buy quality material that crafts durable bags such as laptop bags, school bags, briefcases, handbags, toiletry bags and luggage bags.

Her textile skills had also allowed her to soar in diversity by offering other items such as cushions, dresses and chair covers.

Pitso stated that her business was doing quite well despite the fact that the business was relevantly new and she credits her customers from Good Hope and surrounding areas who buy her bags at a good rate.

“Many people do not believe that the bags are actually not made at home, especially the canvas bags which are made using canvas material,” she added.

Ms Pitso said that so far she has employed one woman who specialises in dress-making and is looking forward to employing more people as time goes.

She urged the youth to get educated because being equipped with skills could pave a way for them in life, especially in the business area.

She added that getting into business inspired by what people have trained for makes it easier to run and spark the drive for production.

She also advised the youth who get funded for their businesses to never stop learning and to continue improving their skills in their areas of specialisation. ENDS