Tailors making a living one alteration at a time
Record journalist, Halisje Crous toured through the community and came across two tailors who told their story.
Who would have thought that you would find residents on the corners and next to the road in Durban Deep with their sewing machines, trying to make a living as tailors?
One of the sought-after jobs is that of a tailor, and community members are seeing this more and more every day. Not many residents have the skills to sew, but those who do, try to make a living by providing an alteration service to their community.
In 2001 Daniel Twaibu started to sew on a daily basis after being taught by one of his dear friends. After months of saving, he bought his very own sewing machine to start his own business in the Creswell Park community. Today, the 37-year-old tailor is making a living by doing alterations and designing any style of clothing for members of his community. He still uses the first hand-operated sewing machine he purchased. When he turns the small wheel on the side, the needle moves up and down. “I love to sew. I design clothes and make them for members in the community,” he added. Daniel was the only member of his family who learned the skill and pursued it as a career. Even though the life of a tailor is hard, he is doing what he loves. “I try and make a living. Money is money. If I get people coming to me and paying me to do alterations, at least I get money to buy food,” he concluded.
The tailor said living in a struggling community, one would do anything to make money to buy food, and being able to do something you love is much more rewarding.
Another tailor, Elios Goloiat and his brother Richard, both started their sewing business in the Durban Deep area. “Richard taught me how to sew. He is the one who mastered the sewing skill, and teaches me as I go. I am still learning how to do certain stuff with the machine,” Elios explained. Growing up with a mother who was also a master of the sewing machine, the two brothers became interested in becoming tailors themselves. Elios bought his very own sewing machine after starting to learn the skills. His special sewing machine does not require electricity; instead, he presses down on its treadle with his feet to cause a rocking motion that moves the needle. “I love sewing and I see myself doing this until I am no longer here,” he added. Sitting next to one of the popular roads in his community that is lined with small businesses, Elios and his brother sometimes get up to 20 items a day that need alterations.
An increasing number of members of this community are starting their own small businesses, such as hair salons, tailors, and furniture designers, to provide a helpful service at a good price to their residents.
Watch how Elios fixes a ripped pair of jeans and adds his signature pattern:
