The Logistician In Fashion
Forbes Woman Africa|March - May 2019

Rethabile Ntsekalle studied logistics but turned to bridal couture for a living.

Motlabana Monnakgotla
The Logistician In Fashion

IN THE ARID SOUTH AFRICAN TOWNSHIP OF Ennerdale is a colorful, diverse community. It is the setting for our meeting with fashion designer Rethabile Ntsekalle who lives here with her husband. Born in Welkom, the second largest city in the Free State Province of South Africa, Ntsekalle moved to Johannesburg, the city of gold, 260kms from her home, in 2009, to study and pursue a career.

She had been intrigued by the world of fashion as a young girl. In high school, she dabbled in modeling until she realized she wasn’t tall enough. In her final year, she became an ambassador for a hair brand, Diva Divine. Her face was plastered on pamphlets across Africa after the first photoshoot with the brand.

After high school, Ntsekalle opted to study logistics because it seemed like a lucrative career option at the time.

“There was a time when my mom was driving me to the taxi rank after visiting over the holidays. She asked me, ‘why logistics?’ I thought to myself, ‘why not logistics?’ She asked if there was any passion or love. I just said ‘it’s for the money’,” she recalls.

Ntsekalle’s mother had never imagined her daughter in the logistics industry, but rather in fashion as she knew this was where her interests lay.

Three months later, thankfully, Ntsekalle changed her mind. She called her mother and announced that she was going to follow her heart, and change course to study fashion.

But Ntsekalle was completely new to the professional world she was about to enter – she had never attended a fashion week event in her life, nor had she done anything related to fashion or design.

Soon, she took up clothing management – a subject not too far off from the fashion field – focusing on mass factory production.

During her course, her love for fashion grew stronger as she fully committed to it.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March - May 2019-Ausgabe von Forbes Woman Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March - May 2019-Ausgabe von Forbes Woman Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS FORBES WOMAN AFRICAAlle anzeigen
Well-Grounded
Forbes Woman Africa

Well-Grounded

Coco Cachalia, whose mother Amina was among the 20,000 in the Women’s March of August 1956, made a decision to stay away from politics – and succeed in business instead.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Art Becomes Her
Forbes Woman Africa

Art Becomes Her

A celebrated international fine artist, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi overcame the struggles of apartheid, and her work is grounded in her past.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
'Not Just Pro-Women But Pro-Progress'
Forbes Woman Africa

'Not Just Pro-Women But Pro-Progress'

South Africa’s Minister of Women Susan Shabangu on the significance of the 61st anniversary of Women’s Day, and the role men can play in ending gender violence in South Africa and creating an equal society.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Diversity And Inclusion Are Part Of Baker Mckenzie's DNA
Forbes Woman Africa

Diversity And Inclusion Are Part Of Baker Mckenzie's DNA

According to Law360’s 2017 Glass Ceiling Report, women make up around one-third of the attorneys in private legal practice. Among the law firms surveyed, just below 23% of partners are female.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
We, Men For Women
Forbes Woman Africa

We, Men For Women

South Africa still has a long way to go for gender justice in business and in life, but with more men openly stepping forward to be a part of the discourse, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA speaks to two male entrepreneurs, a CEO and a social activist. They acknowledge diversity makes smart social and economic sense that will benefit all.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
August-September 2017
What, After All, Does Feminism Have To Do With Men?
Forbes Woman Africa

What, After All, Does Feminism Have To Do With Men?

According to the seminal African-American writer bell hooks (her name is not capitalized), feminism is for everybody.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Blood, Setbacks And Tears
Forbes Woman Africa

Blood, Setbacks And Tears

Two sisters with common failures and a dream to eventually succeed.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Fighting To The End
Forbes Woman Africa

Fighting To The End

In May, 82 more Chibok girls were released in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners. Oby Ezekwesili, a strong advocate in the campaign to bring them back, has vowed to never stop fighting. 

time-read
2 Minuten  |
June-July 2017
Not Just Hard Work, But Heart Work
Forbes Woman Africa

Not Just Hard Work, But Heart Work

As incidents of gender-based violence increase in Africa, those like Nigeria’s Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, are trying to bring relief to stigmatized victims.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June-July 2017
Going Down The Spice Route
Forbes Woman Africa

Going Down The Spice Route

Essie Bartels worked several odd jobs she hated before opening a company selling mouth-watering spices and sentiments to the world.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June-July 2017