18 Apr 2024

Mpho Mokgatle is a name that resonates with success and innovation in the local jewellery designing industry.

With a career built on passion, determination and a visionary approach, Mokgatle has carved a niche for himself as a jeweller par excellence.

The Moshupa native has shattered glass ceilings in jewellery designing, becoming the first Motswana to showcase at the famous Akh-Ba-Ka necklace runway and his journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring Batswana in the jewellery designing and diamond value chain addition drive.

Every successful journey begins with a strong foundation and Mokgatle’s story is no different.

Born and raised in a modest family, his upbringing instilled in him values that would be integral to his success later.

Mokgatle’s academic pursuits were marked by dedication and a thirst for knowledge.

He excelled in his studies, laying the groundwork for his future endeavours.

From an early age, he displayed a natural aptitude for art and designing.

“Growing up I always loved to draw and design those drawings, and everybody often marvelled at my ability to transform drawings into end products with ease and perfection,” Mokgatle said.

Outside the classroom, Mokgatle was an avid reader who devoured books from a wide range of subjects; from history and science to philosophy.

It was no coincidence that this voracious appetite for knowledge fuelled his curiosity and broadened his perspective on a wide range of issues that resulted in him becoming a jewellery designer of note that he is today.

Despite graduating with a degree in Marketing Management from ABM University in 2007, Mokgatle admitted that his love for art had always been second to none, no wonder he embraced, with both hands, the opportunity to study Jewellery Design with Oodi College of Applied Arts in 2014.

As he progressed through education, his passion for jewellery design only grew stronger, and he indicated that the turning point in his career as a jewellery designer was 2015 following a sponsorship by De Beers Group of Companies as a finalist in the Shining Light Awards in South Africa.

“I still have vivid memories of that night in Rosebank, South Africa, when my name was called out as a winner of the coverted shining Light Award, which came with a fully sponsored two-year scholarship with Keith

White Designs - a jewellery design school in Johannesburg, South Africa,” he said.

Upon completing his studies in South Africa, Mokgatle actively sought out opportunities to expand his horizons, as such, he successfully secured an attachment in Italy.

Such experience not only honed his designing skills, but also exposed him to a diverse range of ideas and perspectives as it propelled him to be crowned the winner of the Lucara Botswana jewellery competition in 2019, thus opening doors for him to showcase on international runways.
Armed with knowledge and a thirst for success as well as the determination to embark on the entrepreneurial path that awaited him, Mokgatle established the Kolyreign Designs in 2022 through the Youth Development Fund.
“The Kolyreign Designs is a jewellery design and manufacturing company based in Moshupa.
It offers jewellery design services.
I am currently the only employee since the company is still in its infancy, but I am nonetheless very hopeful that it will grow with time and create employment for Batswana,” he said.
Mokgatle stated that the business was not flourishing as expected since Batswana were not a jewellery consuming community.
“Batswana generally do not wear a lot of jewellery, except wedding rings.

Therefore, the business only excels during the wedding seasons,” he said.

When asked about the challenges faced by young and upcoming jewellery designers and manufacturers, Mokgatle highlighted the constraints in obtaining some of the rough jewellery stones needed.

Though in approval of government’s efforts to secure a bigger share for citizens in the mineral value chain beneficiation, Mokgatle decried bottlenecks that hindered the smooth accessibility to raw minerals, especially gems stones by locals.

“It is extremely difficult for young diamond cutters and designers to obtain diamonds due to their price tag and regulations in place as well as having to compete with established diamond polishing and cutting agencies,” he said.

He said it was important for government to reserve a certain quota of raw diamonds mined for local polishers.

Mokgatle pointed out that the local jewellers always found the going tough since they had to compete for clients with international jewellers who sold recognisable brands.

As much as Botswana is an open market, Mokgatle said government should protect local jewellery entrepreneurs and ensure their sustainability.

In addition, the young entrepreneur emphasised the need for local designers to expand their horizons beyond the Botswana market, particularly in the era of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

He also highlighted the need to accumulate knowledge by interacting with people in the industry, noting that learning the fundamentals of business was key to having a better understanding.

Looking ahead, he said his goal was to be a jewellery designer of note and inspire fellow young people to unleash their potential and play a meaningful role in telling the Botswana diamond story. Ends