The 41-year-old resident from Flora Park is the owner of the Didintle Collection, a fashion line of custom one-of-a-kind clothes and handmade handbags. She has even ventured into crockery. “I went into crockery because it’s important to keep my clients surprised and interested. I wanted to create something that will lift their spirits during this pandemic, which is a time people aren’t comfortable to go out and treat themselves,” she said.
Sekgala makes luxurious crockery that her clients can use at tea time and feel like they are in a lavish restaurant.
Sekgala grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and she learned a lot about work ethics from her grandmother who was a seamstress who sewed jerseys and sold coal.
“My grandmother inspired me to become self-employed because Gogo (granny) was never broke. She was thriving as an entrepreneur and I learned a lot from her,” she said.
She added that although her grandmother encouraged self-employment, she also encouraged obtaining a qualification to fall back on. Sekgala worked as a financial adviser for 15 years and had received many awards over these years before she took a leap of faith and pursued her love of fashion.
“I love looking good and I hate finding myself in the same outfit as somebody else. I used to buy items and alter them to give it a personal touch; be it changing sleeves or adding extra details so it stands out,” she said.
In 2016, she invested in a sewing machine and taught herself how to sew. She made her own clothes and people would compliment her and wanted to know where she got them. “People would ask me to make things for them and in 2017, I resigned as a financial adviser and Didintle Collections was founded,” she said.
She added that at first, she was scared and wasn’t sure if she made the right decision but she used that fear to push forward and to make sure that her business was a success.
“When I am in doubt, I remember what my goals are. I want to leave something behind that will be there after I am gone,” she said.
Sekgala’s Didintle has partnered with Tlotlego Handcraft in a skills transfer programme hosted for people who would like to learn how to make handbags and shoes. “I encourage people, particularly the youth, to consider taking part as these skills will help you find and create employment,” she said.
