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Feature
Cebile Simelane
Cebsim Flower Design
Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa
@cebism_flower_design
Like so many of us, Simelane's path
to flowers was not a direct one; it
was a calling that found her. Growing
up, she loved to nurture houseplants
and grew proud of compliments
friends and family would share when
admiring her beautiful plants. About
five years ago, her love for flowers was
resuscitated. "I would head straight
to a flower market after my stressful
9-to-5 office job," she explains, "and
my mood would be instantly uplifted
every time I got to that space. I knew
I belonged there." It was then that her
family encouraged her to pursue a life
in floristry full time, and she begin
formal training to become a florist.
Chisala Simachembele
Pinnacle Creations
Lusaka, Zambia
Chisala Simachembele is bringing the luxury
floral artistry in Zambia to the global stage.
Raised in the event business, she began running
errands for her mother, who operated a successful
catering company. "I always passed by a florist
who made flower arrangements for office
buildings. I was intrigued at how the flowers
came together and complemented each other,
the textures and colors."
With that inspiration in mind, she went to her
parents when she was 18 and asked for their
blessing to pursue training as a professional
florist. Fifteen years later, she is a successful
event florist who creates moments of joy, and she
is also educating the next generation of florists in
Zambia. Looking back on her accomplishments,
she says she is "as passionate about floristry
and constantly learning as the day I began."
Photo by by-cry photo and alex m ng'andu
