Entrepreneurs call for local business support
Mandlanzini community women use sewing project as a lifeline to support their families.
SEAMSTRESSES involved in the Mandlazini Mqedi Community Centre’ s sewing project are also feeling the economic pinch as their business has taken a dip.
The group of women benefit from the centre’s job creation project, which provides a venue and machinery to help community members earn an income from sewing school uniforms, tracksuits, traditional clothing and other attire.
The project has been running for more than five years and Ntombi Gumede, Khululiwe Ngema, Thembile Masuku and Mavis Mthiyane continue to persevere despite a decrease in merchandise orders.
In recent months, business has been slow and they are appealing to local schools and businesses to utilise their services and have school and employee uniforms made locally.
Currently they supply uniforms to Kati Primary School, but have the capacity to take on more school orders.
Gumede, a single mother of three, says her family rely on her income and the sewing opportunity is a lifeline.
‘We are not far from the Richards Bay CBD and we invite locals to visit us at the centre and support us as local entrepreneurs and service providers,’ she said.
