Currently residing in Bloemfontein - Masithembe Dumiso is a King Williams Town born entrepreneur from eZihlahleni location, where he went for his lower grades before moving to Gqeberha eZinyoka for his high school studies. This young and goal driven businessman is the mind, the founder and director of the phenomenal and stunning street wear named DLAKI CLOTHING. His brand name came from the word ‘Mdlakazi’ – directly translated as ‘the best’ in Xhosa street language. This nickname that was given to him by friends as he was excelling on most of the things that he was doing with friends and in short they will call him Dlaki.
“So I was among those people that are excelling on things that I am doing and even now people who know me from my childhood will be surprised of what I have achieved considering that I am coming from a very disadvantage background but thanks to the mighty God and my ancestors for making me a person of so many talents”, he added.
About bringing back the township economy Dlaki commented: “To own back the township economy I think we need to invest more on our local businesses and upcoming brands from the townships, to grow our economy and support each other as South Africans because at this stage there are still so many who are currently wearing foreign brands. We need to have a marketing strategy for our local businesses especially on the platforms like THE KONVENIENT MAGAZINE and thank to the Magazine team for bringing this opportunity to us local brands”.
Other than your own, what’s your other Mzansi favorite brand? “My favorite is one of my home boys brand called ‘Ndimnyama Brand’, and I like the way they are pushing with an attitude of ‘not giving up’ and working hard to show case their apparel”.
When did you commence with your clothing apparel business and what motivated you to start? “I started Dlaki clothing in 2019, motivated by the fact that I always wanted to have my own unique clothes – so I can be different to everybody else wearing the well-known brands. The aim was to trigger questions like ‘What is this? What does it mean? And etc’. Another thing that motivated me it’s the people around me who never approved it at the beginning and I told myself let me take this challenge and prove them wrong. Now everyone is talking about it and I’m very proud with the work that I have done thus far”.
Have you ever been funded by any funding institution in SA? (not compulsory to share their name). If yes, tell us about it and how easy or challenging was the process. If no, what would you use the funding for if you could get one? “I have not yet been funded by any funding institution thus far as I haven’t approached them because I want to know about financial challenges especially when it comes from my pocket and how to manage those financial challenges including budgeting for the brand. But, If I can get funding - I have been thinking/dreaming about having my own brand store in all different provinces, and that’s my long term goal, my short term is to buy more stock and invest on digital advertising platforms”.
What are your business highlights so far? “The first one is being nominated for the MAMA 2022 awards under ‘Best Clothing Brand Category’ and my supporters are voting by SMS’ing ‘MAMAP 2677 to 47439’ and I am currently getting positive response from the supporters of Dlaki clothing brand. My second highlight was being approached by an upcoming artist called Pulle Mollo under AFROMEL production from Pretoria, who like the brand and wanted to wear it on all his performing platforms, and that made me realize that people are taking note of Dlaki clothing brand”.
Who or which company you would be interested to collaborate with in future and why that person/company? “Any company is welcomed to work with me, as long as we share the same views, thinking and goals my doors are open”.
When not working on your brand, what do you do to keep sane? “I’m always reading books that will motivate me as a person to have a mindset that has POWER to stay positive”.