When Boitumelo Dikwidi walked away from her retail job in Kuruman, she didn’t see it as leaving behind a paycheque – but as stepping into a purpose filled future. Inspired by her mother’s love for sewing and a quiet yet persistent dream of doing more, Boitumelo’s decision changed not only her life, but the lives of many women around her.
That decision – meaning Tshwetso in Setswana – became the name of her sewing business and the heartbeat of her journey and legacy.
Boitumelo started operating Tshwetso in 2016 from her home and worked with her mother on small projects such as garment repairs and alterations, making a small profit to help raise her two young daughters. Her vision was always bigger than hems and stitches as she realised that she needed knowledge and support to scale up the business.
The turning point came last August when Boitumelo officially registered her business and joined Anglo American’s enterprise development programme, Zimele. Designed to support entrepreneurs in host communities, the start-up bootcamp programme which she completed in three months, introduced Boitumelo to financial planning, business modelling, and real-world pitching – tools she needed to move her business forward.
Based in the Northern Cape, where Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore operates, the programme gave her hope. She gained the confidence to pitch to potential customers – leading to her getting the opportunity to work with the schools within her local community. For the first time, she formalised her business using tools like the business model canvas and learned to price correctly.
“I used to buy small amounts of fabric and made tiny profits, the ratio to profits vs inventory did not make sense. Following the completion of the programme, I saw a difference in businesses finances. Now that I buy in bulk, I’m finally seeing a return on investment,” she recalls.
During the programme, there were pitch competitions that every entrepreneur had to participate in – however, standing in front of the judges for the first time – Boitumelo found her voice, a drastic turning point for her and the business. “They taught me to stay strong and never lose hope. The beginning is always the hardest, but if you keep going, your vision will carry you”, she added. Her vision is about dignity, independence and showing her daughters what it means to believe in yourself.
“At Anglo American Zimele, we believe that unlocking the potential of women and youth is key to building thriving, resilient communities. By equipping them with the tools, training, and confidence to lead their own businesses, we’re not just supporting entrepreneurs – we’re investing in the future of South Africa.” Larisha Naidoo, Managing Director, Anglo American Zimele
Today, Tshwetso supplies uniforms to five local schools and employs nearly ten women during peak seasons. But Boitumelo’s dream doesn’t stop there. She envisions a large workshop in Seoding where unemployed women can learn to sew, earn an income, and build futures of their own. “To empower others, I first needed to empower myself,” she says.
Her daughters now watch their mother not just as a provider, but as a pioneer. A woman who turned a single decision into a movement of possibility.
Boitumelo Dikwidi’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful thing an entrepreneur can do – is to decide.