LIMPOPO – Hazel Nemakonde, a 27-year-old from Tshisahulu village near Thohoyandou, is a testament to the power of self-empowerment.
Through her passion for crocheting, she has built her own business, Haziecrochet, and turned it into a thriving venture. Despite holding qualifications in electrical engineering from the Tshwane South TVET College and painting from Intouch, she chose to pursue a different path – one fuelled by creativity and a determination to overcome unemployment.
Crocheting has provided Nemakonde with a means to express her imagination while offering a low-cost setup for starting her business.
“Crocheting is special because it allows for creativity, enabling people to produce unique items, and it’s also easy to learn,” she told CV.
Her journey, however, has not been without its challenges.
Like many entrepreneurs, she has faced obstacles such as limited capital, marketing hurdles, and finding customers. Yet, her perseverance and positive mindset have kept her going.
Haziecrochet derived its name from her nickname ‘Hazie’ and her craft, combining them to create a recognisable brand.
Nemokonde focuses on learning new skills, creating innovative designs, and ensuring her products stand out in the competitive market. Her dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has been instrumental in helping her meet her sales targets.
She said she values the importance of sharing her work through social media and word of mouth, which has helped her attract customers and build a loyal following.
“I sometimes ask my family to help, and I use social media to showcase my products, which has proven to be effective,” she said.
Looking ahead, she envisions her business expanding globally.
She dreams of opening her own store and having her handmade products sold in major retail outlets.
Her secret to success? Resilience, self-belief, and consistency.
“I want to see my business grow bigger and my products available worldwide,” she concluded.
