By Sbongile Sokela
A township youngster made it possible as Mohato Africa held a successful kids fashion show on the 25th of October at Kwa-Thema Hall. The event was filled with joy as it had entertainment such as dancers, a singer, a poet and a choir.
Mohato, the founder, shared his journey “I started in 2017, that’s when I began my love for fashion. As a fashion designer you’d exchange things, do alterations and things like that. So with that I was like, let me do the fashion and grow. So I’m no longer a fashion designer but a fashion show producer as well. We produce shows for kids,” he explained.
The joining fee for Mohato Africa is R290. Kids get training before they go on stage.
“We train them for weeks before the show. Other than the fashion show we take them to photoshoots. They do all kinds of things to keep them busy,” he said.
Mohato said collaborations are important in their work as they collaborated with BMW, Shoe Show “BMW was one of the designers as well as Shoe Show and also on this I was working with Zinhle.”
“At the moment we don’t have any sponsorship but we have sponsors in kind. They don’t offer funds but they say we gonna help where we can, we can help with chairs and other things.” Mohato said.
One of the challenges they face is finances “We are self-funded, we don’t get support from the government so anything that comes it is something that I take from my pockets and invest in this and make sure it grows.” Mohato highlighted.
He also mentioned that he caters for plus sizes. They have an online store @Mohato Africa, which has a catalogue of their clothes. On social media you can find them at Mohato Africa.
“My vision or my goal is I want these fashion shows to grow. To be done in each and every township. Runways, it’s new but it’s always been there, so there’s an only way we do it which is special,” Mohato said.
Designer Zinhle Nhlapho (19) shared her message
“All I want to say is that everyone is welcome, no matter the size, no matter the age, come and embrace your bodies. You’re a star, be yourselves, please come join us.”
A proud parent also expressed joy “This is a proud moment for me, seeing my child on the runway, looking so beautiful, this is priceless.”
