Meet Kgomotso Ranta | Creative Design Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kgomotso Ranta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kgomotso, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was born a creative. I even took Art as a subject the minute the opportunity presented itself. That is because, the schools in my village did not offer Art as a subject, and so, when I got a chance to go to school in the nearby town, I dropped Geography for Art. I went on to study Graphic Design in college and started working as a Graphic Designer in a Telecommunications company. In pursuit of growth, I studied Marketing and worked in Marketing in Telecoms. It got tough for me in my last job and I resigned without having found another job.
When I left, I promised myself, I would go back to my creative self and give it a chance while finishing my research for my Masters in Business Leadership. I thought I would be doing Graphic Design, but I ended up in fashion/costume jewellery which I love so much.
So I was born a creative!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Ditakki designs and manufactures beautiful jewellery and accessories. While helping create jobs through collaborations with artisans in the village and other areas Ditakki creates beautiful pieces that give customers a voice.

The products are contemporary, innovative, and bold yet simple and functional with an African Aesthetic.

These products are creatively designed fusing different materials and colours together to create beautiful accessories with a unique Ditakki element to it. The pieces are handcrafted mixing beads, wood or leather with modern glossy or metallic embellishments and materials to keep the designs edgy, sharp and relevant to the modern customer.
The products range from neckpieces, earrings, bracelets, bags, etc.
The pieces aspire to be inclusive and appealing to a wide range of customers. To ensure this, the products are segmented into different styles ranging from boho/beaded, Afrocentric, Geometric, Costume/Fashion, Metal, Minimalist and Statement accessories.
The designs always evolve to keep up with current trends.

Ditakki has grown steadily over the years. The company has exhibited internationally at Torino fashion week in Italy. We have also exhibited in Birmingham. Ditakki has sent products for exhibitions in Germany. The company was in the SA fashion week in 2022 through a collaboration with a local designer – Ipikoko.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Johannesburg which has many exciting spots. I would definitely start by taking my friend to the South of the city. To the famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto, which is always abuzz. This street was home to two Nobel Prize winners – Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Soweto is the biggest township in Africa, very rich in culture and the food is delicious. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from just on this one street and ‘1947 on Vilakazi’ is my favourite. Then I will take her to the Northern suburbs of the City. To the Rosebank area. Also a nice vibe. And most probably because there are shops that carry my products – ‘The Space’ and ‘Soko District’. These shops sell only locally produced goods and my friend will buy Ditakki accessories there. Rosebank Mall has many nice food spots as well and also has a market and curio shops. My friend will definitely be spoilt for choice as far as selecting gifts for family and friends.
Just outside the City to the West lies more quiet spaces. I would take my friend there to enjoy a bit of ‘Africa’. I would take her to the Sterkfontein caves where apparently it all began. I would also take her to the Lion Park of course to meet the King of the jungle.
And then lastly I would take her to Nirox sculpture park to enjoy beautiful art, maybe chat to the resident artists and to finish all this off with a delicious picnic right on the sculpture park. If we plan right, we might just visit the sculpture park when there is a music show. It is absolutely beautiful there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I resigned at the end of 2016, I did not have another job lined up. My husband who was there and had seen me frustrated agreed that I can quit and give my creative career a chance and that He would support me. And him and the kids have done exactly that. Shoutout to husband and kids and to my extended family who have been so supportive and have bought from my business.

Website: www.ditakki.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ditakki