By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Linda Mbhele (31) owns the brand Ellipsis.
He became celebrated when he did the hard work, designing high quality shoes from his house in Alex with little resources.
The creative artist who grew in Alexandra said Ellipsis began as a designer of clothes.
He tells Mashamba Media that he was inspired by art and therefore the name Ellipsis was born.
He likes to be at the creative end, always designing . Ellipse is what motivated Linda as he believes that the creativity is limitless as an artist.
Ellipsis has been selling for six years and has designed over 100 pairs since its inception.
“The target market is to integrate different kinds of local and international trends, particularly with celebrities and cooperation brands.
“Not many people in South Africa or businesses make handmade/machinist shoes because of lack of machinery,” he said.
But Linda, a self-taught man, did it as he was lucky enough that “I was so passionate and did Fashion Design from school to get that basic that made a lot of effect to Ellipsis shoes creating programs”.
His current challenge is lack of machinery. He is asking for funds to be able to generate mass production and create jobs.
“South Africa is currently facing a massive unemployment rate that is mainly caused by the lack of manufacturing companies,” he said while calling for support for local businesses.
“We should stand up for the local brands.”
He added that it was imperative for learners to add subjects into our “school curriculum that will benefit our people and our country in creating jobs”.
Asked who was his role model, he said: “My role model is Theo Baloyi also from Alexandra, the CEO of Bathu.
“I’m so inspired by his passion and how he was able to create opportunities for local people, same as Drip.
“But my hero is baba Linda Twala who has done a lot for me and the community of Alexandra; he is my real hero.”
Linda sees Ellipsis doing not just hand-made in future, but also doing a mass production and supplying to other local brands in South Africa.
“I want to see Ellipsis create more jobs for people and also be among the largest in South Africa.”
This is his message to someone who has talent but things are not going as planned:
” As Ellipsis brand manager, I say carry on in whatever you do.
” Consistency is the key, you will never go wrong. Keep enjoying that failure because you need it to understand the situation you are in.
” I never took 3 days to construct Ellipsis as a shoe since I was doing it as self-taught. It took me almost 3 years to build it properly and I never gave up hope, even though sometimes it was hard.
“There were times when I didn’t have anything to eat and I wanted to quit. But my passion for art and consistency is what made Ellipsis today 6 years later.”
He advertises his shoes at the Mandela Museum in Alex ( 50-7th) which go between R500-800.
“I have those that are not from the range and there are some specials that start from R1000- R1500.
