Africa is 'Powerful Enough' to Influence Fashion: Entrepreneur
Africa is 'Powerful Enough' to Influence Fashion: Entrepreneur
Africa has often underestimated its potential, especially in fashion, Mmantlha Sankoloba, CEO of Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association, told Sputnik Africa. However, after attending the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, she realized Africa's power to influence global discussions.
Sankoloba questioned Africa's self-doubt, emphasizing the need to reclaim African materials and traditions, and subsequently inspire others.
"Gone are the days that we have to literally stand on the fences and wait to be called and wait to be validated. Why do we need validation from elsewhere when we are the holders of the material? When we are the owners of the resources," she stated.
She expressed hope that the summit would foster cross-cultural collaborations.
Sankoloba also questioned the hesitation to collaborate and create purely African products for the global market. She highlighted Africa's vast internal market, capable of self-sustainability through improved branding, storytelling, and collaboration.
"It's just for us to literally go back to the crossroads, find our brothers, find our sisters within the African space, liaise together, combine knowledge, pick from each other, and do something that is purely, beautifully, and colorfully rich in the history of Africa."
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