Local Design: ATG EKASI

WORDS Michaela Stehr

Local designer Thuleka Duze is making waves on the fashion and textile scenes with her bold handbag and apparel designs.

What started as a small home business in Gugulethu two years ago, with her partner Abass Maazu, has since grown into a sought-after brand. ATG EKASI Handbags and Clothing, which makes use of bright and bold fabrics from South Africa and Ghana, is based at Cape Town’s bustling Pan African Market on Long Street.

“I travelled quite extensively in West Africa and the countries there inspired the birth of our African print handbags and apparel,” says Thuleka. “With the much needed assistance from the Cape Town Fashion Council and Cape Graft Design Institute I was able to learn the skills to design and make my fashion items and to be exposed to the retail environment.”

Thuleka, who is co-owner of the brand, is currently studying through the University of Stellenbosch Business School’s Small Business Academy (SBA).

“It’s not an easy industry to work in and very difficult for designers to get noticed,” says Thuleka, “but my selection to the SBA programme is an incredible opportunity for me to learn about areas of running a business I have never thought of. The knowledge that I’m gaining in marketing, funding and networking will certainly bring us closer to our ultimate goal of selling our products in leading boutiques countrywide and to put African designs at the forefront of international fashion.”

Thuleka aims to start a school where hands-on skills are taught to children.