A second chance in life, with hats!
She has chosen to make a living by making fashionable hats
Maureen Mataboge is a woman who wears many hats … literally.
In 2000 when she was diagnosed with hereditary Sarcoidosis she was scared to death. According to Web MD [https://www.webmd.com/lung/arthritis-sarcoidosis], ‘Sarcoidosis is a chronic disease that can affect multiple organs – eyes, joints, skin – but lungs are involved in 95 percent of cases’.
It was only in 2017 that she decided to go for surgery after family and friends had convinced her to do so. The only thing the condition has cost her was her job, and she could also not endure the hassles of travelling to Isando in Ekurhuleni to her daily job.
“The surgery changed my system altogether. I had to depend on medication to strengthen my muscles, not to mention some of the side effects. It took me quite a long time to recover,” Maureen said.
Nonetheless, she is grateful that God has given her a second chance to be a beacon of hope to many.
Maureen, who is also a wife and a mother, said she had to find an activity that would keep her healthy and sane – an activity that would keep her calm at all times; keeping all health risks at bay.
“At first, I wanted to do culinary but then realised everyone does it. I thought perhaps I should make hats. I thought I could make my designs fashionable especially for events like the Durban July,” Maureen said.
After a three-month course she took in Pretoria, she mastered the skill of making hats and has since turned her son’s old bedroom into her creative working space. From time to time she also designs matching handbags using recyclable items or materials.
She loves the fact that she does not work under pressure but at her own pace, as making hats can be a long process.
“You have to take measurements, soak the material, fit it on the copier and dry it.”
Maureen said she hopes that what she has started will eventually turn into a powerful brand and flourishing local business.
“Nothing has been more fun, and am I healthier than ever.
“Living with my condition means I could wake up the next morning and feel unwell. That’s why when an opportunity presents itself I must make the most of it,” Maureen added.
