Social workers help women sew a brighter future

CHRISTIAN Social Services social workers have gone over and beyond their line of duty by encouraging New Germany women to put their skills to good use.

Zukiswa Lubanga said as social workers they are allocated to certain areas and she and her colleague, Primrose Dlamini, saw that most of these women were sitting at home with nothing to keep them busy.

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Because of their interactions with the ladies, they have developed a mother -daughter relationship with them, “they are our foster mothers,” said Lubanga.

“We saw that they once started a project, but was not running, we encouraged them to prioritise it. We are also working together with a very active New Germany resident, Tony da Canha . These women have beautiful skills such as sewing, making beads and baking.

“We then asked them to contribute R50 each so that they can get started and earn an income. They have already started making beads and with September being the Heritage Month, and have begun getting orders. However, these ladies do need help with sewing materials and baking equipment.

One of the women, Fikile Dlamini, said they even have a name for their group, ‘Sakhinqanawe’ (meaning an unsinkable ship).

“Now that our project is up and running, we are very happy and looking forward to greater things. These gatherings give us a sense of relief as we can share ideas and help each other to overcome the challenges we might face instead of crying alone at home,” said Dlamini.

This group includes a male member, Alfred Langa. Langa use to bring his partner, Makhosazane Mdladla, to the place where they work as she is in a wheelchair.

“I spent long hours just looking at the ladies working and decided to join them. In life nothing is impossible, this is not just women’s job but also men can get involved,” he said.

People who wish to contact this group can contact Lubanga on 073 278 2247 or Dlamini on 084 494 2687 or the social services offices on 031 701 9988.

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