Transformation and empowerment: From seamstress to entrepreneur

Boitumelo Dikwidi, a resourceful entrepreneur from Kuruman, has built a thriving sewing business that’s creating opportunities for women in her community.

In 2016, she made the bold decision to leave her retail job and pursue her passion for sewing full-time. From that leap of faith came her own business Tshwetso – a name that fittingly means “decision” in Setswana.

Starting from humble beginnings at home, Boitumelo worked alongside her mother on small projects like garment repairs and alterations. But even then, she had a bigger vision: to grow a business that would go beyond sustaining her family, because she had a burning desire to uplift others in her community as well.

The turning point for Boitumelo came when she joined Anglo American's Zimele enterprise development programme. The programme provided her with the tools and training she needed to grow her business, including financial planning, business modelling, and pitching.

Today, Tshwetso supplies uniforms to five local schools and employs around 10 women during peak seasons. That in itself is amazing, but Boitumelo's vision extends beyond her business, as she dreams of establishing a large workshop where unemployed women can learn to sew, earn an income, and build their futures.

Her goal is to empower others, just as she empowered herself.

"To empower others, I first needed to empower myself," Boitumelo says, highlighting the importance of self-belief and determination. Her story serves as a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the impact one person can have on their community.