Nontokozo Mchunu

Designing jewellery was a calling to Sanele Myeni (26) who initially started with studying Civil Engineering and then switched to Jewellery Design and manufacturing at the Durban University of Technology. He later discovered that the course change was a golden move.

Although life wasn’t peaches and cream growing up in Isipingo and being raised by a single parent, Myeni says it shaped him into man he is today. He is now a multiskilled CAD (Computer Aided Design) designer for “Mizane Jewellery” in Orange Groove, Johannesburg and the owner of “Minimalistic Jewellery Designs” as a side hustle. Gold, platinum, silver, 9, 18 and 24 carats, you name it, he works with all metals. He began freelancing while he was still in university and says he’ll never forget students like Nompilo Mchunu who pushed him to work hard at doing his business.

“I decided I could make money while studying. When I saw that opportunity I started a small business making custom made jewellery for private clients. I started small and as years went by I decided I wanted to make commercial jewellery but I had no idea how to execute that plan,” he said.

To achieve this goal, after Myeni completed varsity in 2018 he applied for a training course at “Design@50” where acquired skills in commercial jewellery, designing jewellery on a computer, 3D printing and casting. This boosted his confidence.

His business is at a stage where he sees the direction its taking him and the opportunity to grow his name in the industry. He says when starting a business people often fail to exercise patience which not only sets them up for failure but they end up missing important details. Myeni continues to draw inspiration from the clients that buy from him, also Mr Linda Sibiya and Sihle Bam who inspired him to run his business even during the lockdown.

“I want people to see that it’s possible for someone to run such a business without a store. I use social media and other ways to meet and interact with my clients,” Myeni added.

Picture: SUPPLIED