A young designer’s journey toward identity, legacy, and form.
There’s a quiet confidence that runs through Kamo Makhubedu, the founder and designer behind SEPAKA — a brand defined by curiosity, craftsmanship, and a refusal to rush identity.
Born in 1999 in Mpumalanga and raised between Johannesburg and Soweto, Kamo’s upbringing was marked by movement — between parents, homes, and spaces that taught him adaptability and observation. That early sense of transition became the foundation for how he approaches design: fluid, reflective, and ever-evolving.
After completing his studies at Lysoff and later TUT, where he graduated in 2024, Kamo began developing SEPAKA into a tangible brand. What started as a simple post on social media — a bag captured on his phone — has since grown into a label with its own voice and aesthetic.
The name SEPAKA carries deep personal significance. It was given to him by his father after his grandfather’s passing — a gesture that became a bridge between generations. Though Kamo doesn’t know its literal meaning, the name anchors his brand in legacy and connection, infusing every piece with a sense of lineage.
His work often merges historical influence with modern restraint. Drawing inspiration from 18th-century Victorian and Elizabethan fashion, Kamo reimagines the structured silhouettes and layered textures of the past through a contemporary lens — refining them into minimalist, wearable art.
One of his most striking designs, a nubuck leather bag, was inspired by research into Viking-era pouches once used to carry coins. By simplifying and modernizing the ancient form, he created something both functional and symbolic — a statement piece rooted in history but shaped for the present.
While many describe SEPAKA’s aesthetic as nostalgic, Kamo insists the brand is still taking shape. “It’s too soon to describe. I feel like the brand will define itself over time,” he says. “Right now, I’m just allowing it to become what it needs to be.”
His honesty extends to how he approaches sustainability.
“I want people to see the story behind what I make,” he says. “When someone wears something from SEPAKA, I want them to feel that it was made with purpose.”
Despite the challenges of building an independent label, he finds pride in persistence. Continuing to create, refine, and stay visible has become its own form of victory. His advice to fellow young designers is simple but powerful: “Just work. Be consistent. Be visible. Even if people don’t get it yet, keep showing up. It’ll grow from there.”
SEPAKA stands as a study in patience, craft, and identity. And in a world that often demands instant definitions, Kamo’s quiet refusal to rush his evolution might just be the most radical statement of all.