02 Feb 2021

Former Mr Botswana 2018, Jomo Kgaolo has branched into sportswear merchandise with a new clothing line called JJK BW.

Kgaolo has also represented the country in Lagos, Nigeria, contesting for Mr Africa 2018 title and got position six out of 30 participants from some of the southern African countries.

In an interview recently, Kgaolo said the idea to venture into sportswear merchandise was conceived when he realised that most people at gym centres struggled to find affordable and presentable gym clothing.

He said the challenge gave him the extra mile and confidence to sacrifice his personal savings to venture into the industry so as to sell a variety of sports and casual wear.

Kgaolo said the clothing label JJK was derived from the initials of his full names, Jomo John Kgaolo, and that BW was to indicate that all his merchandises were locally produced hence JJK BW.

“I have always had a strong passion for fashion and at the same time I am a fitness fanatic, so I realised that although most people took matters of fitness to heart, they were challenged to dress well for gym activities, as such I felt the need to come up with something relevant and affordable,” he said

Kgaolo explained that he designed items such as vests, shorts, sweat-pants leggings, crop tops and sweaters among others that catered for both men and women.

He said he purchased his raw material from Pakistan and that all end products were designed locally so as to give local designers a profit mileage.

 “Prior to starting this business I conducted a research and settled to purchase raw material from Pakistan as they are of good quality and cost effective,” he said.

Although he started operating late last year, Kgaolo said he  was pleased that he managed to penetrate the market as he succeeded to sign a deal to supply Major Muscle and Fitness at Rail Park Mall, all Jacks Gym Centres in Gaborone as well as Eagle Wellness Centre at Palapye with his merchandise.

He said one of the challenges he encountered was launching his clothing line despite the fact that he had long started working on it.

He said it was due to the national lockdown that slowed the progress considering that trading activities and other related logistics were put on halt.

“I look forward to expand the brand by designing corporate wear, different sports code attire and other fashion related accessories. I also have the desire to explore international markets” said Kgaolo. ENDS