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Meet Siya at the Fair with Flair
Meet Siya at the Fair with Flair
A young man's passion for fashion and dreams of becoming a designer are a step closer to becoming reality.
Siyabonga Mthembu from Thembeni in Groutville has been "adopted" by the Christmas Fair Fund and given the opportunity to showcase his designs at the Christmas Country Fair at Collisheen Estate this week. The Fair is scheduled for Wednesday 31st October and Thursday 1st November.
Siya's clothes target the trendy and young at heart and will be available in the 'man cave' marquee at the Fair.
Siya was identified as one of the most promising creatives in our area and has been given a complimentary stand from where to sell his unique brand of clothing. The fabric he used was also sponsored by the Fund.
As the son of a single parent, Siya started school at Thembeni Primary and then went on to Mbekamuzi Combined School. Unfortunately Siyabonga had to leave school in grade 11, but with his second hand sewing machine he started making clothes for him and his friends.
'No one taught me. I used to cut up my clothes and make patterns," explains Siya.
He was then spotted by Mpume Makiwane from the Work for a Living programme at Linc church, which mentors young people in job skills, interview skills, and work etiquette. According to Mpume, Siya registered for a merchandising course, but after being thoroughly impressed by his designs and clothes, she urged him to follow his dream and concentrate on fashion design.
His aim, should he be financially able, is to finish his schooling and then enrol in a fashion design course.