Wear your waste” An effective and stylish way to save our planet: Meet Mosima Phakane
1. Who are you?
I am Mosima Phakane, born in Ga-matlala Kordon. I am a poet, writer, and also the founder of Mosima’s handcrafts.
2. Which primary and high school did you attend?
I attended Tau-Kwena primary school and Mauma secondary school in Ga-Matlala Kordon and later moved to Ga-Molep Ga-Rampheri where I attended Mmapadi secondary school where I completed my matric.
3. Which subjects did you choose and why?
I chose the physics and mathematics stream because I go very good marks and enjoyed solving maths problems, and also because I wanted to be a doctor until I realized my fear of blood and wounds.
4. How did you decide on your career choice?
I, unfortunately, decided on my career based on merit and because I wanted a job that would enable me to be financially stable to support my family and be able to make a difference in the world.
5. Tell us about your business, why you started it, and what services you offer.
My business is called Mosima’s Handcrafts and was founded last year around September but launched officially in November. When my academics were not going well, I became depressed mostly because a lot of people always believed in me and always told me that I would make it academically. I went from being an A student to being depressed and failing so I needed to find something that would remind me that life is worth living.
6. How is it like running your own business?
Running a business is not as easy as people we watch on social media and Tv make I seem. The glamour of it for me is from seeing new products come to life from a mere plastic bottle, plastic tub, and lollipop sticks which could have been thrown away and the cherry on top is seeing people wearing and enjoying the products. I also love getting to meet new people and learning from them and their businesses when I attend workshops and markets. The challenge I was not ready for is that until you can afford to hire people, you are all the business has, and I find myself multitasking in ways I never thought I could. In order for the products to sell and for the business to make progress, I need to be on my feet researching ways I can make that happen. Overall, it is a beautiful but also messy learning curve I am willing to endure in order to get Mosima’s handcrafts where I would like to see it five years from now.
