28 Feb 2019

Perseverance, dedication and hard work is what has kept Ms Cordelia Lobadi and Ms Tsietsego Malefo, 28 and 25 years respectively, together after other two co-owners of Super Stars fashion dropped from the business during difficult times.

The project, which was government funded to a tune of P200 000 through the Poverty Eradication Programme in Jwaneng, had attracted four women, but the other two had since left for greener pastures.

The design firm, which does bedding, curtains, wedding garments and school uniforms is one of the biggest projects in town, and expected to keep afloat the mining town’s economy even when the mine closes.

Ms Malefo hailed the support they got from the Department of Social and Community Development, saying their advice has helped them to strive in the face of challenges.

After they lost two of their members, they mapped a way forward on how to penetrate the market and got in touch with a veteran designer to assist them with different designs.

They said that the move worked and business has since been better as they were able to supply one of the security companies with uniform.

Although their funding package came with a multi-functional embroidery machine, Ms Tsietsego said they were still learning how to use it to perfect their craft.

She said that working on commission has helped them strive and look for customers to keep their business going and that market days have also been useful. Their intention, she said, was to open a stall to market their products even further.

“We will have to leave our comfort zone and go out to sell our products.

One of us will take our products to the people while the other one keeps production going,” she explained.

Their wish is for government to keep tenders rolling so that they beat unemployment odds.

They expressed gratitude to lodges within the town for supporting them rather than sourcing designer based businesses outside the mining town.

When they get a big tender, Ms Tsietsego said they normally hired a maximum of four people to assist, which was also a contribution towards employment reduction. ENDs