Sewing project soars

Gallery

GEORGE NEWS - A sewing project for 15 elderly women based in Thembalethu is bursting at the seams. The project, called Masiphathisane Bafazi (Zulu for "Let's get together, women"), started out in the dining room area in the house of one of the members.

The size of the room and the fact that they had only three sewing machines available meant they had to take turns to sew.

Now things are looking up. With the help of Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), George Airport and other role players including George Municipality, the women have their own serviced working premises at the Multi Purpose Centre in Thembalethu, that has enough space and equipment to accommodate all the seamstresses.

Chairperson of Masiphathisane Sylvia Sifuba said their happiness has no end. "We can all work together now and teach others to sew. We have so much material, and the machines... oh, the machines are great! Everything is great!"

Photo gallery: New premises for sewing project

As an unemployed widow with three children, Sifuba has been the leader of the group from the start. She has always had a passion for sewing and people would come to her for lessons, which led to her starting a sewing group.

Happiness! The chairperson of Masiphathisane, Sylvia Sifuba, holds the keys to their new premises.

Kitting them out

Acsa came on board with a donation of several much-needed items, which were handed over at a ceremony last Wednesday, 22 September. Its donation amounts to R900 000 and includes ablution facilities, a mobile structure (12m x 3m) with a kitchen and a storeroom, 20 industrial sewing machines, four industrial overlocker machines, industrial irons and ironing boards.

Airport manager Brenda Vorster said the cornerstone of Acsa's socio-economic development strategy lies in creating meaningful and sustainable livelihoods in historically disadvantaged communities.

"Acsa has for many years worked towards positively impacting the lives of the communities around our airports. We are so pleased to be able to support this group of women who empowered themselves through initiative and persistence in spite of challenges."

Vorster said Acsa's involvement does not end with the opening of the new premises. "The women will also be supported with business development and skills training to promote income generation and support sustainable livelihoods," she said.

The women of Masiphathisane Bafazi and all the role players.

Role players

George Municipality partnered with Acsa on the project by negotiating a secure property for the project at no cost. The municipality also took care of connection to the utilities (electricity, water and sewerage), alarm and security system and a disability ramp - all to the value of R150 000.

Other partnerships include an Eastern Cape business incubator with a presence in Thembalethu, iHub, that agreed to share the premises they lease from George Municipality and to provide day security at the gate, and Da Gama Textiles that, through its client Goodbye Malaria, donated fabric for starting up the project.

Mayor Leon van Wyk and George Airport manager Brenda Vorster at the ribbon-cutting event.