Giving local designers a platform to shine
Daveyton resident Sanego Motsweni has always been business-minded and a creative thinker at heart.
Motsweni recently launched his own online store, Blak Pepper, formerly known as Fashion Church, selling the original designs of up-and-coming South African designers who are struggling to break into the mainstream market.
He runs the business with his business partner, Namakando Mufana.
The 29-year-old said that he has always had a passion for business.
“I started selling sweets to my peers at primary school; the business then evolved to a Shisa Nyama during school holidays and during December I would sell fireworks,” said Motsweni.
After matric he studied Information Technology at Springs College but had to drop out in his second year after he was involved in a car accident.
He said everything kicked in after this incident, and it was time for him to pursue what he has always desired.
“After recovering, I got a job, which I only worked for a month in order to raise funds to buy a laptop, cellphone and register the business,” he said.
As soon as that happened, he left and started an online magazine in 2010 called Gauteng Pozi, which focused mainly on entertainment.
“I started the magazine to create a name for myself, so that when I pursued other opportunities, people could recognise who I am,” he added.
Motsweni said he attended several events and markets, as the magazine was about entertainment and that is when he crossed paths with various designers who did not have a platform to showcase their work.
“That is when I decided to create an online store called Gauteng Pozi together with the magazine,” he said.
He added that he conducted research and taught himself how to create an online store.
His concept for an online store won R10 000 start-up capital in a YFM Competition.
The store is aimed at helping local designers to sell their clothes online.
Motsweni said the store operates locally, but he wants to have more stores all over Africa.
“After a few months the store changed its name to Fashion Church and now BlakPepper, because people thought we were selling church clothes,” he said.
“The store caters for everyone, young and old, big or small in size and it’s very affordable.
“The business has also created employment for young people in the area.”
Lastly, he said, every young person should do what they love and the right people will find and support them.
Motsweni has concept stores at Bruma, Oriental City, Johannesburg and at Esihlahleni in Daveyton.
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