11/06/2023
YES Textile Academy class of 2023, by yours truly Gulexy Creations!š
Finally, oh God finally I can say I have produced Clothing Processes graduates, nna moroedi a Mokgere le Mathabatha Letsoalo, setlogolo sa diKgomo, Mokgadi letapa go Lema, ke ja go phala baÅ”omi. It started as a dream to become a designer, I became one but my heath made it so hard. However, I love this damn thing so much and I wonāt rest until South Africa owns their clothing economy. I decided I wanted to create designers. I remember telling my mom that I want to turn the garage into a workshop classroom and teach people how to make clothes, and I turned the garage into a workshop. YES created this opportunity to train youth from here in Alex. I together with my dad and Ref created the most amazing programme proposal, one for the books if I can say so myself, and I got picked. A lot of people played a role and I know I had a winning plan that would work with or without YES. I am just that kind of a woman, I am obsessed with my career, with Gulexy and I always mean business!
The first day I met this group of trainees, on the 2nd of November 2022, my prayer became, āGod these you have blessed me withā. From that moment, my heart created a room for each one of them. I am not sure of the condition of my heart right nowš, however I loved every moment of loving and guiding them. They challenged me hard, played me, lied to me, we had fun, I annoyed and yelled at them, weāve cried and laughed. I never, for a second wished otherwise. This group gave me a fighting reason. Weāve had classes on video call laying on a hospital bed, other days at the oncology clinic couches before passing out from my chemo drip. They inspired me to get out of bed even on days my body didnāt want to move and never made me feel bad for not being a runner or move without rolling with my chair, it was like they saw nothing, yet held my hand to the car, up the stairs, carry things for me, run around on my behalf, lock doors for me, and they respected me (most of the time, you know how students areš¤). The thought of being in our workshop motivated me to dressed up and showed up with the biggest energy, unless and until they annoy me and make me unleash the lion in me and scream at themš. We were always the last to knock off, Some days they didnāt want to see me, other days go āI need youā on me. They defended me, defended each other, even when they were doing wrongš. I fought for them when I had to, protected them from politics they didnāt even know about and Iād do it again and again.
Thank you guys for crossing my path. I love each one of you and wish you nothing but the best, this is one skill I value so much. Our country is not there yet, mara this is where it starts. It is shocking how much money we take out of this country for clothes. I know we South Africans can own our clothing supply chain, it starts here.
Like I always say, the president and I are good, I am literally making one of his projects come to life and I am honoured. Nna le thuma mina re sharp maan, and nna kea thumega. Mr MC Ramaphosa can me anywhere, I will get it done..like the servant I am.
Donāt get me wrong, itās not easy, especially for a person with my disabilities, I worked with many people, partners with others. It was fun and challenging. I didnāt make profitš¤¦š½āāļø, nor do I ever do anything for money, However I am called to empower, and thereās no price tag for that. It is just worth it!
Thank you Youth Employment Services for believing in Gulexyās programme and giving me and my team a chance to prove it. You have your receipts, I delivered everything I promised. Above it all, you made my dream come true. Thank you!
How cute is our graduation regalia? We designed everything ourselves. Thatās whatās up!
I present to you, the very first YES Academy Graduates! š
