Unapologetically African
Nomvuyo ‘Nana’ Xalaphi (37) of Centurion chose to make her own accessories after she was unsatisfied by Eurocentric jewellery in the market.
Nomvuyo “Nana” Xaliphi of Centurion started making her own African attire when she saw that several shops were not promoting African wear.
“I started hand making my own hats and fascinators in 2012, but only started making my own accessories last year,” Xaliphi said.
She added that her fulltime job as an administrator at a government parastatal prevented her from investing more time to making accessories despite growing demand for her products.
“I have however trained someone to assist me when I am at work,” she said.
Xaliphi said between juggling a full-time job and her African craft business, she spent her time with her 11-year-old daughter, Uzile.
“We should never be apologetic for our dress sense. We women tend to say to each other, you are overdressed for this and you should have dressed like that. It is unacceptable that we don’t dress the African way.”
The 37-year-old said she wanted to open a shop and start selling online within the next 18 months so she could access a wider customer base.
Her message to other entrepreneurs is focus on what Africa has to offer.
“We need to promote our continent. We should be able to flaunt our Africanness as much as we flaunt clothes inspired from other countries.
Xaliphi can be contacted on Facebook on Nana Xaliphi or on 076-202-4259.
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