Home coming, a business milestone celebrated home in Port Elizabeth

AS most of our followers know, last week we-the Ndabeni Creative team- honored an invitation to dress this year's contestants of Mr and Miss Freshettee in Nelson Mandela University, Eastern Cape South Africa. How the SLK Group company and Mhimhi Connections came to know about us is another story for another day. But the director Mhimhi Mbondlela Mayolie's invitation was more of an instruction for us to come home. "Do business at home Khanyi. We looking for people like you, who are in Johannesburg but can exchange skills home while eating too. Come see your family and friends, we love you" those were some of her kind words during our first telephonic conversation. Of course, she knew my mother and maternal family of the Ndabeni clan who are all over the Eastern Cape. The trip came at a time when the company celebrated its first year of operating under a registered name, Ndabeni Creatives. Mhimhi Connection has been part of the organizing team of the annual university event, for the past four years. This year the organizers celebrated the life of German fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld. https://twitter.com/MadibazRadio/status/1122230781886308352?s=19 Mhimhi wanted the models to be accessorized with South African and Kenyan(Maasai and) and the modern wooden beads wear, these are the items we specialize with. The trip however, came with a huge challenge, 600 kilomtres away from Port Elizabeth and about seven hours away from Johannesburg. We experienced a breakdown. Yes we managed to get to Port Elizabeth and deliver on our promise but the car however left me with a lot of questions for both Toyota South Africa in terms of service and the road assistance function of my insurance company, Dial Direct. Yes, as per her instructions, we met almost everyone from the family. Our first stop was at my mother's grave to check on the tombstone and say few words to her. The family,the AmamPondo tribe was also thrilled to see us and were proud to see us promoting culture across all South African tribes. This, and the coverage of cultural topics among st some of the university students scored us a radio interview with the MG Connection, a show hosted by Eastern Cape based female pastor Ningi Dlamini from the Christian radio station, King Fisher FM. We were also fortunate to connect with friends from the second largest radio station in the country, uMhlobo Wenene Fm. Where we were once hosted on the award winning show, Khanya Gqiyazana by presenter, Lulu Haarmans (Christmas Day)and former journalist now author, Mafa Bavuma(youtube link of umhlobo wenene). As someone who has lost touch with the developments in the entertainment industry, but it was good to have a chat with(pic of the group) the newcomers and hip hop group based in Nelson Mandela Bay. Also amongst the judges of the event sponsored by Absa and Madibaz radio was Miss Sundowns. Not only did we have an opportunity to dress models, we were thrilled to meet up with some of the Njoli Rastafarians who are also in art and craft and showed them how to use the King's Beach Summerstrand Sunday market to showcase their work. On the business front, proud to announce that Africandrumbeat, a traditional dance group based in Port Elizabeth will be wearing our staff and our items will also be available at Blakes in Traduna Mall. https://youtu.be/OLfG_q3vC68 Please follow us on twitter: @ndabenik facebook: khanyiswa ndabeni Instagram: Khanyiswa2 Whatsapp for orders and bookings: 076 360 7744 You Tube: Khanyi Ndabeni https://youtu.be/OLfG_q3vC68 More pics from the trip

The love and support from friends keeps me going

Asanda and Mbali Kani at a wedding in Johannesburg. Asanda is wearing the Xhosa beaded scarf and blue and white necklace from us.

If  two of the world's most richest men, Bill Gates and Mark Elliot Zuckerberg were assisted by friends to build their wealth.

Then, I would like to believe that I am on the right path and have chosen friends carefully over the years in order to build my business empire.

The marketing of the beads business is strongly  driven by people whom I have known for years and those around me now.

From its inception back in 2015, this was  when my Zambian friend, Cynthia  and I used to buy time by creating simple patterns of wood necklaces, bracelets, earings to more complicated pieces that makes a dramatic entrance, to the ones that add that African thing to a classy outfit.

Not only did these people spread the word about what I and the team do. The moment I announced I was going to do this business full time and  showed them what I  and the team can do, they gave me ideas of how they would like their items. This breaking our traditional way of designing a piece.  It is these people that suggested the idea of partnering with local bead artists.

Amongst those that trusted us in the early days were former entertainment journalist at the Sunday Times, Gabi Mbele. Our very first dramatic net piece was worn by her at the BET awards earlier this year.

My connect group leader, Saagar Gokul planted the idea of making a Rosary then R branded purse by other members in my connect group. These were meant to be submitted to our resource centre at Rivers Church but stopped pursing the idea when I learnt they were other women already supplying and providing training in beadwork at church.

But I sold the R online and people asked for other alphabets, the shoes, t-shirts, takkies and hats were ideas mostly generated by friends. Through them, I met other strangers, one a Nigerian man who planted the idea of stone bracelets for men. I'm pleased to say we now make these message of piece bracelets for ladies too.

Friends from back home in Port Elizabeth were also very supportive of this new found hustle and constantly got messages of support from them.

Due to the friends I have  kept and the people I came across over the years, I survived the first difficult three months of an entrepreneur's life. With them on board, I would like to believe that I have built a solid foundation for this business to fly.  My  favourite saying  is "if it is not made in South Africa or Africa, then it is not us"

Communications Manager for VIMN Africa, Gabi Mbele at the BETAwards2018

Nelson Mandela University Media Mananger, Zandile Mbabela

The R purse was initially made for a presentation for resource centre  at Rivers Church and it is now a demand 

My connect group leader, Saagar Gokul, a collector of Rosary asked us to make him a beaded unisex Rosary.