Gugulethu entrepreneur Thuleka Duze, co-owner of ATG EKASI Handbags and Clothing, exhibited at this year's Design Indaba.
It was here that she secured an international client for her bespoke hand-stitched handbags, shoes and clothing made from rich and colourful African prints sourced from Ghana and South Africa. The former flight attendant and mother of two shares the story of her journey.
Inspiration for the business?
While travelling to West Africa as a flight attendant for SAA, I went to the markets to buy fabrics. I love their rich, vibrant African prints. I would then design outfits and ask my business partner Abass Maazu to make them for me. That's when ATG EKASI was born.
Design inspiration?
Anything that attracts my attention at the time - an envelope, a rugby ball - it ends up in a shape of a handbag.
The biggest challenge?
Keeping up with demand when it was just myself and my business partner. Also, having to work in a small space (the backyard room), where we had to keep stock and he had to sleep.
Biggest lesson?
I can't stress enough that people need to equip themselves with a business background. They need to do courses. Being selected as one of the small businesses to join the University of Stellenbosch Business School has helped me a lot in understanding business essentials.
Greatest achievement?
Opening a store at the Pan African Market in Cape Town's trendy Long Street is a big milestone. Having secured a client from Madrid in Spain is a huge achievement. It makes us proud that our product is appreciated globally and it puts African designs on the international map.
Your dream for the business?
Our future plans are to sell our products in leading boutiques countrywide and open a skills centre to teach people how to make bags. That will reduce the rate of unemployment and create more jobs.
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