Seamstresses share skills
Rise and Shine sewing project inspires the spirit of entrepreneurship in the community.
KwaThema – Established only in February, the project will honour its first batch of graduates.
Sarah Hlakuva, the founder, says she was inspired to start the project after realising that there were unused sewing machines gathering dust in one of the rooms of the KwaThema Family Skills Centre.
“I would come here for other training courses and I noticed the machines and no one ever used them.
“That is when is asked to use the space.”
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A seamstress herself, Hlakuva called on people in her industry to volunteer for the programme.
Nomsa Ngwenya, a professional fashion designer, responded to the call.
“Most of us already have successful companies and it is all thanks to our community.
“We are giving back to the same people who have supported us all these years.”
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The project aims to equip people with basic sewing training, through a five-week programme.
“We have theory, machine techniques, drafting, cutting and garment making.
“And we insist that every garment come out perfectly because we don’t have a lot of time to train them here,” adds Hlakuva.
The pensioner hopes that the course will help some unemployed people to create garments that they can sell.
“This is a skill that will always be relevant; you can only get better with time.”
Keletso Ngomane, the only male in the group, says his dream is to become a graphic designer.
“I’ve always liked drawing and sewing gives me the opportunity to see my drawings come to life.
“And we all want to look good, so why not do it yourself?”
He says he is proud to be able to create garments from his imagination.
The next five-week course will begin on Monday.
Application forms are available at KwaThema Family Skills Centre.
“We also appeal to companies and individuals who can donate material and cotton.
“We provide all of this to our students at no cost to them, and we want to continue doing so,” explains Hlakuva.
The founder also says they would take on more people if they had more machines, but they only have 10 at the moment.
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