Sewing Training Success Vuyiseka Mabhulwana

Having an accredited and recognised qualification will open doors for the learners we are training at our sewing centre. Most of them are unemployed but are now able to start their own businesses at home or to look for work opportunities. Those seeking employment stand a better chance of being appointed as they have not only learnt to sew but have also been taught the fundamentals of business and financial literacy; those starting their own business are more likely to get the funding they need. Furthermore, the knowledge gained on how to run a business will serve as a foundation for them as they pursue any type of self-employment.

Vuyiseka Mabhulwana was part of the intake of the Italian CESVI Foundation who wrote the SETA final assessment exam in July 2023. She is married with three children and she is now self-employed, making outfits from home and generating income. In this way, she can help put food on the table and the family’s financial status has improved.

A particular success story is that of five beneficiaries from the first intake who graduated and formed themselves into a group. They now make school uniforms as well as separately generating income by making outfits for the community. They started by making uniforms for Mbasa Primary School and moved on to Etafeni Day Care tunics, golf shirts, sun hats and ties. They also put embroidery on school jerseys and are now busy with John Pama Primary School and Etafeni Day Care’s tracksuits.

The OVC team at Etafeni has approached them to make golf shirts for their team. The group is now in discussion with Walter Teka Primary School in Nyanga about making school uniforms for them.