Thabie D billed for Accra Fashion Week
WeekendLife
Local celebrated designer, Thabiso Salma Dibeela is billed to showcase at Accra, Ghana as the country celebrate its 60th independence and fashion in October this year. This event clashes with the Africa Fashion Week London 2017 where she was also billed to showcase.
Born in Kanye, her passion for fashion can be dated back to her primary school days before she even knew it was going to be her future career. After Tirelo Sechaba she enrolled with Linea Academy in South Africa where she graduated with a Hons Degree in Fashion Design between 2001- 2004. In 2007 she gave birth to her brand Thabied which focused more on custom made clothing but later involved the corporate world.
According to her, by then, the industry was still small but growing at a slow rate. Over the years, she used gained experience to turn Thabied into a household name, now associated with signature brands. Her breakthrough eventually came in 2015 when then Miss Botswana queen Seneo Mabengano won the best dress of the pageant with an unmatched gown from Thabied. She has also dressed Miss Universe pageants over the years and has worked with a lot of reigning queens such as Tirelo Ramasedi and Sheillah Molelekwa.
Last week Dibeela designed a special dress for Gaborone socialite Tshepo Maphanyane which she wore for the opening of the Youth Netball World Cup which is being hosted in Gaborone and will run until tomorrow (Sunday). When WeekendLife finally caught up with her, she said preparations to showcase in Ghana were underway and that she was very excited for the opportunities that continue to open for her and her brand.
She said Ghana, being one of the first countries to gain independence in Africa, has a big fashion industry which ranges from textile. The country experiences an inflow of buyers from Europe and the US on monthly basis. “This is more of the renaissance of the African fashion industry and I am very happy to receive this kind of exposure,” she asserted.
Dibeela is the first Motswana to be invited to participate at the Accra Fashion Week, which will be the first of its kind since Ghana is celebrating 60 years of independence.. She revealed that she will be showcasing ready to wear, women’s apparels and is hoping to engage with other designers from Ghana in a networking session. She hopes the invitation will open doors for other local designers to be exposed to such platforms. She further revealed she is seeking sponsors to finance her trip as she looks forward to penetrating the market in Africa. She appealed for sponsors to heed her plea ans come forward.
According to the Accra Fashion week website, ‘With the various fashion weeks across Africa and a growing thirst for African fashion creativity across the world, Accra Fashion Week aims to fill the void which seems tremendous creativity and culture across the continent with the absence of an operating fashion infrastructure.’
Accra Fashion Week will be operating to level a platform for African designers that which can be compared to fashion weeks across the major capitals. Ghana has held the flag for most of what many class as African fashion and will act as the main melting pot for Fashion business in Africa.
WeekendLife
Creatives taking over 2023
Creativity is seen everywhere and these individuals did something recently that’s never been done before, and some are still killing it. We see creativity on streaming platforms, stages, runways, social media and boardrooms even. Some of them are revamping their businesses, and lately, clothing sale is thriving.
They love concept-driven designs, storytelling and they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that will leave footprints in the sand. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative minds utilized the drawing board and they became cognizant that monetizing content will actually take them far, which is frank nonetheless.
This is commendable though, but the creative industry will still need support from government in order for it to flourish further. Allocation of resources (funds, facilities and empowerment) should be done consistently, creativity must be raised and at the end of the day, the economy benefits from that kind of investment.
HAN C
Ever since he parted ways with his former manager, DJ Bougee Sid, Mahalapye born-pint sized, multi-award-winning artist, Hanceford Magapatona has been taking up space, unapologetically so. Han C has shown a strong will to take over the entire world, and he is in the right direction. He’s solely organizing the annual Mahalapye Spring Festival, which is taking place next weekend.
The Pepetetsa hitmaker raked some monies from his savings to put together this event. Mahalapye Spring Festival will feature Paige, Ubuntu Band, Khoisan, Amantle Brown and Double Up among others. Even though it didn’t come as a surprise, Han C was nominated at African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in the US, under Best Male Southern Africa category.
However, the award was snatched by the late South African rapper, AKA. Its not all lost as Han C secured two nominations at the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs): People’s Choice of the Year and Best Male Single.
KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
This entrepreneur has turned his dreams into reality, and his promising apparel business is now a fashion destination. Matter of fact, Motswagole weathered the storms to be where he is now because through criticism and social media bullying, he still leads the pack in fashion.
His social media accounts got deleted but through his online store, KM Sales, Motswagole is able to rake in some profits. He initially started selling from his car but now owns a busy store and has employed a number of young people.
KM Sales has been offering fashionable items (shoes, t-shirts, pants) and has been participating in various lifestyle events such as Garden of Drip where it showcases its products.
If there is one young entrepreneur to draw motivation from is Koketso. The business started from humble beginnings, at the time when he worked part time at Ipelegeng as a casual labor. Indeed, good things come to those who wait, or well, work like a slave today, live like a king tomorrow.
KAGISO LUDO DE KLERK
Vee Mampeezy’s ex-wife Kagiso De Klerk clearly did not sit and weep over their dramatic divorce. The famous social media influencer hurriedly picked up the pieces and went hard on promoting business online. She literally took social media influencing to the head and it is working for her.
This year saw her partnership with Shell reach greater heights, and obviously, she is raking lot of pulas from the deal. Kagiso has been making frequent appearances in top events in South Africa such as Bubbles in Spring and Gold and Diamond Experience.
GAONA DINTWE
After a long break from the limelight, renowned media and radio personality, Gaona Dintwe is back. She was missed by many on TV, and she’s back where she belongs, news anchoring on BTV. Gaona has also found a niche in podcasting. She is a host of her own podcast, Gaona Live Conversation, where various people share their stories on camera.
Some of what they discuss is Gender Based Violence (GBV), polygamy and drug addiction. This is highly commendable because even BTV doesn’t have programs that discuss these crucial social issues. The Lentswelemoruti native is also seen in various corporate events where she is engaged as a host.
WeekendLife
DITIRO LEERO ONE MAN SHOW ON THE PIPELINE
Now that one-man shows are made fashionable, traditional dance guru and ex-convict, Ditiro Leero is joining the crusade and he will be hosting his also. The show will be held next month at Zone 4 Farm in Selokolela, but the there are traditional dance music artists who have been lined up to perform at the show. Matshana, Morwa Leka and Maswailathota will be doing their thing and probably bring some heat too. Ditiro Leero will be making history as the first traditional artist to host a one-man show in Botswana.
WeekendLife
MISS BOTSWANA HAVING MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
With only two months before Miss World 2023, the reigning Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo is having many irons in the fire, preparing for the much-anticipated beauty pageant. Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of Miss World pageant and it will be held in India. Chombo has been spotted toning her body at Jack’s gym, a requirement that is taken seriously at the pageant. She has also been participating in charity events, something that should add to her profile at the Miss World.