Fikile is an enthusiastic jewellery designer with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. After matriculating she attended the Rough Diamond Evaluation College which led to her decision to pursue a career in Jewellery design and manufacturing. Starting with a passion for bead-work, she decided to take her interest to the next level, studying jewellery design and manufacture at the University of Johannesburg and completing her Diploma in 2008.
As an up and coming designer with fresh ideas, Fikile realises that we are living in a rapidly changing society where technology plays a major role in our daily lives; she decided to study CAD at Design@50 so she could advance her skills and venture out as an independent designer.
Fikile has worked at Wolf Brothers, African Romance, Carat Co and Mario’s Jewels as an in-store designer also assisting with jewellery sales and valuations. In 2014, she registered her company Fikelephi Holdings, which is a holding company for Since Now Jewels, Accessories & Art, her jewellery design company which she co-owns with her sister Nompumelelo Shabangu, who is a watch technician.
Fikile’s company Since Now Jewels has participated in local and international jewellery expos, showcasing their range of accessories, jewellery and art. In November 2017, Since Now Jewels was selected by the Jewellery Council of South Africa (JCSA) to participate at the Dubai International Jewellery Show (VOD – Vicenzaoro). In September 2018, Since Now Jewels was also selected to participate at the Paris International Jewellery Show (Bijorhca 2018). These international expos, sponsored by the JCSA and the DTI, are designed to assist SMMEs to start finding not only local, but also international markets, which will assist with the economic growth and also that of South Africa. At both international shows, Since Now Jewels has secured sales and possible product order-leads to companies abroad.
This shows a huge potential in our South African Jewellers being able to compete at a truly international level. Fikile joined Pneuma Jewellers in April 2018, to further her brilliant career as a first-class Goldsmith, and will be gaining more experience in design & manufacturing. Fikile will also be joining the Pneuma Academy of Excellence’s Hi-Tech Manufacturing & SMME development hub, thereby assisted in further increasing her knowledge and networks toward becoming a well-established and sustainable SMME Entrepreneur.
