Funeka is a 27-year-old fashion designer whose studio, Déjà vu Designs, in town, recently claimed the South African Association Youth Club (SAAYC) Entrepreneurship Award.
She told the City Times the criteria on which the title was judged included job creation, community impact, quality of work, goals and vision, clientele feedback and her vision in general.
Funeka sponsors and works closely with local youth and her studio is a member of the SAAYC.
She has a passion for mentoring young models, presenters and dancers by giving them the opportunity to be exposed in the fashion industry.
She said that, having grown up in Daveyton, she can relate to young people who do not have plenty of opportunities to pursue their hopes and dreams.
“I have always, always been in the modelling industry,” said Funeka.
“Modelling didn’t work out for me, because I was too short, so I was more involved with beauty pageants.”
She said she had no source of information on the opportunities available in the industry and wants to provide exactly this to the community now.
“I want to impact the community by creating opportunities for them, especially in the disadvantaged areas,” she explained.
“I am looking to work with teens and to create beauty pageants for them — I want to give them that platform.”
At the studio, she also offers workshops for confidence-building.
“We utilise the space well — that’s why you won’t find us in an openly situated shop,” she added.
She was chosen to dress the models at the five semi-finals and the finals of the Face of Ekurhuleni Pageant, in 2011.
Funeka addressed the youth at the recent SAAYC conference, held in Etwatwa, where over 200 schools were invited to attend.
She is also involved with St Dunstan’s College and recently showcased her garments to support them at a school show they held.
She was also involved in a show in Mpumalanga, where HIV/Aids awareness was focused on and talks were given to young people about the way to live.
Funeka said what mainly separates her studio from every other brand is that they groom young models and aspiring fashion stylists from grass roots levels.
The inspired designer playfully referred to herself, as her friends do, as “a living testimony”, as she was hit by a car when she was seven years old, after which her parents were told she would not be smart or able to read.
In addition to this, it was added, she would never be able to have a child.
“Now I have a four-year-old boy,” she said.
“I say nothing is impossible — never give up on your dreams; pursue your dreams.”
“God is good; it is happening,” she concluded.
Some of Funeka’s long-term goals include creating jobs through venture-creation, such as a reality show, boutique, spa or salon, creating a learning institution which will prepare participants for the harsh realities of the fashion industry and impacting society through a youth programme, designed to empower young who are disadvantaged.
One of her goals is to dress Miss South Africa in the future.
Her SAAYC Entrepreneurship Award was presented to her on February 21, at the South African Association Youth Club (SAAYC) Awards, at the Turban Hall, in Johannesburg.
She is planning on expanding her studio soon, starting with a branch in Pretoria.
