31 Aug 2022

The impending wedding of Bangwaketse’s Kgosi Malope II has ignited a celebratory mood, especially in Kanye and its peripheries.

Kgosi Malope is set to wed Mohumagadi Masitsibi Motlomelwa of Lesotho on September 24, while the second lap of the wedding will be celebrated at Mmakgodumo Gardens in Kanye on October 7.

Amidst a series of fundraising activities towards the royal wedding and Kgosi Malope II’s 10th anniversary of coronation as paramount chief, which include a cultural festival and a marathon, the unveiling of the blue German print material earmarked as the wedding celebration theme has been received with accolades from the GaNgwaketse territory.

Subsequent to the reveal of the material, social media went ablaze with ‘#Re Tjemo,’ a Ngwaketse phrase meaning ‘we have a wedding’.

As the hashtag circulated, local fashion designers and tailors began to position themselves not only to showcase their talents, but also to tap into the promising market, in the wake of COVID-19 adverse effects on the fashion industry.

To many, the royal wedding would be the light at the end of the tunnel, even though it is a once off peak for their businesses.

“This wedding is more like a booster to our businesses and it is giving us hope, considering we just came out of the COVID-19 era.

Already customers have started coming in satisfactory numbers, especially ladies, and we are anticipating more as the wedding date nears,” said Token Jupiter Designs owner, William Makalani.

He said as a versatile designer, the royal wedding did not only have a positive impact on the financial side of his business, but also gave him the opportunity to execute various and unique designs requested by each client.

He noted that such diversity would go a long way in growing the business and reaching wider markets.

As his part towards corporate social responsibility to the community, Makalani noted that he had slightly reduced prices in support of the royal wedding.

He further urged other players in the fashion industry to unite and cease the opportunity to deliver the best designs as per customer specifications.

“Since this is a royal family event, my wish is for us to unite and work together towards a common course of delivering beautiful designs to our customers.

For example, we can share the work load such that one designer can engage others to ensure that the work is done within stipulated time frames.

Established designers should also open doors to upcoming ones and assist where possible,” he noted.

With only a few weeks left before the lavish wedding, Token Jupiter Designs has already engaged extra two pairs of hands, and intends to engage fashion interns for September and October for the wedding peak season.

For Sammy Designs, the design requests are trickling in.

However, they remain optimistic that more will come as the wedding date draws closer.

“This is an opportunity for us, local designers, to showcase our creative skills.

We have already received a few clients for the royal wedding and we are anticipating more since some people prefer last minute,” said Samuel Chafukwa of Sammy Designs.

Consequently, he said they were prepared to engage part-time employees for general works such as cutting, sewing and ironing.

He believed this would also enhance their overall skills for future careers.

“Hopefully, this wedding will create opportunities for many people and businesses in the value chain such as designers, material shops and embroiders,” he said.

Even though she admitted that business was gradually picking due to the wedding season, Keamogetse Ramaribeng of Keteng Tailoring said they were yet to get clients specifically for Kgosi Malope’s wedding.

She said they had even considered buying the material in anticipation of last-minute orders, but were still doubtful.

“We do not anticipate any influx of customers for the wedding because already other customers have engaged us for the end of year weddings.

On the other hand we have ruled out buying the material because we prefer customers bringing their own material to show commitment,” she explained. ENDS