LIMPOPO – Young innovator, Dembe Mandavha of Malavuwe village outside Thohoyandou, believes Dembe Beads is the epitome of traditional beads.
Dembe’s Beads specialises in traditional beads, makunda, necklaces, beaded bags and accessories.
According to her, Dembe’s Beads aims to keep tradition alive with their beads.
“I started my beads business in 2022, after years of helping my mother make her own beads. It’s a bit challenging having to be a bead crafter and also be able to live on my own, but sometimes I sacrifice sleep, to make sure everything is done right. I love how it teaches me to be patient and to learn more about myself,” said Mandavha.
She said being a bead crafter means the world to her because she gets to explore various designs, explore her talents daily, and engage with various people.
“My goal is to one day have or own a store of my own and be able to have a YouTube channel where I can transfer the skills and knowledge to other people on beads crafting. The most challenging part of my job is finding the right size and types of beads to make a specific order. My advice is to keep going, keep pushing forward, to be myself and to seek advice where it is needed.”
She told CV that her family has been nothing but supportive since she started.
They also help when she has big orders and this creates a family bond, she added.
“My secret to success is putting God first in everything that I do because He is the author and finisher of my life story. I work hard and focus on myself regardless of what people think. The importance of Dembe’s Beads for me is that I am taking part in economic growth and development. My mission was to empower myself financially. When I started Dembe’s Beads I just wanted to show other young people that it is possible for the black child,” she explains.
She encourages other young people to do things that can change or better their lives.
“If you are unemployed, stand up and do something for yourself. Don’t wait for the government to provide you with grants and jobs, you can do something that will put food on your table. The only way to improve our lives is to work hard. The time for sleeping is over. Nothing is impossible in this country.”
