Nontando Molefe: Bringing the Bling

In today’s success story, the spotlight belongs to Nontando Molefe of Johannesburg, South Africa. Her jewellery line evolved from humble beginnings into the thriving enterprise we witness today. Her rags-to-riches journey demonstrates that where you start need not determine where you end up. She shines out amongst a growing influx of successful women entrepreneurs in Africa. Let’s find out more about Nontando’s journey.

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Nontando’s Path to Success

Shortly after graduating from The University of Johannesburg with a qualification in jewellery design, Nontando gained recognition for making the top ten in a worldwide designing competition. Plus, she was the youngest out of the top ten candidates. Afterwards, she took a position in the business world encompassing sales, management and designing work. However, she was quite dismayed and surprised to find that a vast quantity of pieces sold in SA, were not manufactured in the country. This is when the inspiration for her jewellery line was born.

Nontando was feeling increasingly unsatisfied at work. In 2010, she decided to resign from her corporate job to focus solely on her jewellery venture. Her first workshop operated out of a tiny wendy house in her aunt’s backyard. Diligently, she saved up to purchase tools, while her first clientele were family members and friends. She named her fledgling business Phatsima Jewellery Design. Phatsima is Setswana for “shine”.

Trials and Tribulations

Click here for resources on how to launch a business with limited capital. It was by no means plain sailing, since Nontando was responsible for running every aspect of her business for three years. She would design and manufacture pieces, in between meetings with customers at a rent-by-the-hour office. She was finally able to relocate her business to a rented property and hire a technician to assist her.

Then her business was really challenged when the pandemic hit South Africa, but she proved her resilience and inventiveness once again. To save on operating costs, she decided to partner with a group of make-up artists and photographers. Subsequently, they all marketed their services together. She finally possessed the resources to move into her own workstation in a smart office park in the suburb of Lonehill.

Proverbial Diamond in the Rough to Polished Perfection

Cut to present day, and Phatsima employs a team of five workers. She has been commissioned by many renowned figures in the international market, including Europe and USA. Furthermore, she achieved the honour of featuring in British Vogue Magazine. The future certainly looks golden for Nontando and her company gem, Phatsima. Nontando is a bright beacon of hope, courage and prosperity for other female entrepreneurs in South Africa, and indeed, the African continent. Her story demonstrates that you can have your start in a wooden wendy house and end up on the world stage! Read this article about how a man went from security guard to graduate.

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