CREATIVITY IN HER FINGERTIPS
Jewellery design is her thing
TO BUILD a successful career as a jeweller, you need to be creative and an artist. Thembi Lekota possesses both these traits.
The 24-year-old knew she had a knack for creativity from an early age, so she enrolled at a school of arts to tap into her creativity.
But it was only once she enrolled at the University of Johannesburg to study jewellery design and manufacturing that she found her true calling.
After graduating in 2013 with a national diploma, she is currently in her second year as a jewellery design apprentice at the Keith White institution in Joburg.
When she completes her apprenticeship later this year, she will be awarded a jeweller ’ s permit, recognising her as a qualified jeweller.
Sowetan visited Lekota at the Keith White offices in downtown Joburg to learn more about her craft. Question: What exactly do you do? Answer: I do both the designing of jewellery and also the manufacturing side. Q: What pieces do you make? A: I make all types: rings, neckpieces and bracelets. I work with both diamonds and gold. Q: How long does it take to make one piece of jewellery? A: It varies. A simple ring can take about eight hours and a neck-piece with diamonds about a month.
But it really depends on design and how many pieces of gold or diamonds will be used. Q: Is this an impossible job to do if you can’t draw? A: Drawing and designing are key components of this job. Those who can ’ t draw are introduced to drawing when they enrol for these courses.
It is not so hard, and the more one practises to draw the more experience they earn. Q: Why did you join the Keith White programme? A: It ’ s an incubation programme that offers good skills. We make most of our pieces by hand, whereas most jewellery in South Africa is made by machine. This makes our jewellery similar to European ones. Q: What do you plan to do after your apprenticeship? A: I want to go back to study next year and do my BTech. I also hope to open my own company. Q: What does it take to open one? A: It isn ’ t very hard. It takes about R30 000 to buy the start-up equipment, something that can be raised through networking. However, I would still need to obtain a diamond and gold possession licence. Q: How can one see your work? A: I do client pieces. I have recently done an engagement ring for a friend.
The price I charge differs depending on the material that will be included in the ring. Q: So you’re open for business? A: Yes. Clients are welcome to come see me and we can talk ideas and designs.