Fashion line raises awareness of rights abuses in DRC cobalt mines
A Cape-Town based designer is creating a women’s collection to bring awareness to the human rights violations in the cobalt mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Daniel Moleka, 21, who was born in the DRC, said many women and children were being physically and sexually abused in mines that produce the precious metal used in technology such as smartphones.
Technology companies have in recent years been accused of being enablers of this abuse while the Congolese are excluded from the economic benefits of the pricey resources.
“I want to raise awareness for that community and I hope that this can influence people to do something,” he said.
Moleka, who is studying towards a higher certificate in creative development at Vega, said all the proceeds of the Beni Collection would go towards assisting the victims of abuse.
The city of Beni is in the DRC’s mineral-rich but troubled North Kivu province.
Moleka is being funded by the Widal Foundation, which was founded by DRC senator Guy Loando Mboyo and his wife, Deborah Linda Loando.
“I am hoping that the sales will be used to help those children,” Moleka said. He said it was important for popular culture and trends to be used to address pressing world issues.
“My generation mostly learns things through popular culture. It’s the best way to bring awareness to the issue,” he said.
Moleka, through his brand RedThread Apparel X, has previously created an animethemed line that was shown at the SA Menswear Week on February 8.
“This line will be completely different and it is the first time I will be using African design. The garments will have messages relating to the violations,” he said.
The young designer, who is collaborating with designer Emily Symmonds, said he would be showcasing his exhibition in the next few months.
“When I was approached by Daniel to be involved in the Beni Collection, I was captivated right from the start,” Symmonds said.
“The purpose of the collection — to raise awareness of the current crisis in Beni — enthralled me.
“I strongly believe that fashion can be a strong tool in starting conversations about current issues and bringing the issue the attention it deserves ...
“I feel incredibly inspired by what they are doing with their garments going above and beyond the pure aesthetics of clothing and creating a conversation,” Symmonds said.