My name is Mmamolaletsa Tshikedi. I stay in Mabalane with my sister. I have a hearing disability. I took part in a training in 2019 where I learnt how to sew, it was offered by the community social workers at a neighboring village called Mmathubudukwane. At the end of the training, we were given materials to start our projects. I later on moved to home to take care of my sickly mother.
My customers always send their desired dress patterns when placing orders. These dresses can be worn at weddings and other sekgatla traditional events like community gatherings, bride price negotiations etc. I have entered competitions before and won first position, and my products were shown on Botswana television (BTV), where some of my clients would see my work. Some of the challenges I have in my business include; lack of equipment; the machines that I have are not working properly, it trips the electricity main switch and has a problem with the motor. The manual one doesn’t stitch well, and this makes it difficult to carry out my business. These challenges have made me stop sewing and I have joined the national poverty eradication programme where we clean the community.
Mmamolaletsa Tshikedi
