Segone, school drop out who turned the corner
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday March 17, 2017 16:11
Today a good education and gainful employment are merely significant. Qualifications are no longer a proven formula for wealth and success. Education certainly has its place, and it is not completely without merit, but it also is not necessary all of the time.
One of the local few talented leather designers, Gaogakwe Segone is a living testimony of this. Segone dropped out of school at junior secondary school after just starting his Form One. The 37-year-old man from Kopong told Arts & Culture that he dropped out of school because he knew that his talent was on crafts.
“Basic education was not working for me. I always wanted to do handicraft but I never knew exactly what I wanted to do,” he said.
Segone said one good day back in 2006, he killed a goat and tanned its skin. Tanning involves removing the fat and the hair, and applying a chemical on the thick middle layer to preserve and strengthen it while giving it flexibility. In natural tanning, salt is used to preserve and strengthen the skin instead of a chemical.
“I made a traditional hat out of that skin and I was overwhelmed by the response I got from the public. Everyone wanted to buy it. I decided to make and sell similar hats. I was amazed when people bought them in large numbers. I decided to use leather to make various items and I realised then that I could be a commercial leather designer,” he said.
He explained that in 2012 he entered the President’s Day competition where he scooped first prize in both the regional and national levels.
“After being impressed by my work, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) took me to school to learn tanning leather in a modern way (using chemicals). On the same year, Morongwa Store took me for sewing classes. We were taught how to sew different items using hands,” he said.
Since then he made different exquisite items ranging from purses, handbags, sandals for children, men and women, belts, traditional attire, hats and pants. As a result, he attracted a number of customers from Phakalane suburb, Kopong, Molepolole and nearby villages.
Segone uses different animal skins ranging from goats, pigs, cattle and authorised game leather to design different items. He said he buys most of the animal skins and their prices are determined by quality, decoration and originality with plain skin cheaper than coloured or decorated skin.
His masterpieces are eye catching and have won him a number of faithful customers. Even though designing most of his products comes naturally, he expressed his gratitude towards MoA and Morongwa Stores for their training as he has learnt how to use the skills they empowered him with to produce quality items.
However, his fortunes did not stop there as this year, he became one of the few people who benefited from The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development’s (MYESCD) Youth Development Fund. Just like any other businessperson, Segone is facing some challenges such as complaints from customers on his pricing and his inability to use a sewing machine. He explained that the qualities of the goods are determined by their stitch and colour. He said he could use leather on leather when sewing with hands but have to use thread when using a machine and was awaiting MYESCD to take him for a sewing course.
“My prices range from P250 going upwards depending on the design but some people always complain that I am expensive. My efforts to explain to them that my prices are dependent on the quality of my products and the time I spend making them seem to fall on deaf ears. I also have to buy the materials I use to make these products starting from the type of thread, leather and others,” he said.
He also pointed out that most of his customers normally insist on exchanging worn out shoes with new different ones. He said when he refuses it leads to conflicts between him and his customers.
“It is expensive to transport my goods to Molepolole where I am mostly based. It is not as easy as it was when I sold my stuff at Phakalane. I had also gained a number of customers in Phalalane but the MYESCD transferred me to Molepolole,” he said.
He pointed out that having to move to Molepolole had affected his sales. He also complained of high rentals from factories saying that even though he was keen to grow his business, it would not be possible because industrial offices were expensive.