On this ‘African Start-up’, CNN International invites viewers to venture to the heart of Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, to see how Kemi Kalikawe, the owner of Naledi Lifestyle, has taken her passion for design and turned it into a boutique.
Kalikawe grew up in Botswana and named her business Naledi, which means “star” in Botswanan. She chose the name to reflect the unique approach she has taken with her store, which opened six years ago. “In the store, I make dresses, I cater mostly for women. And I do jewelry and also sandals, which have all got an influence of African fabrics,” says Kalikawe.
The Naledi brand can be described as’ Africa Revamped’- Africa getting a modern twist and just bringing the West and Africa together, marrying them into something beautiful. Kalikawe makes her products with indigenous Tanzanian fabrics like the Khanga and Kitenge.