Maralese Nonkonana’s eyes lit up as she received two brand-new industrial sewing machines from
the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) on behalf of her
cooperative Masiphathisane Clothing at a handover ceremony held in Graaff-Reinet, Beyers Naude
Local Municipality yesterday (SUBS: WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER).
This initiative is part of DRDAR’s continued efforts to foster the growth of small business textile
enterprises enabling them to produce high-quality garments and generate sustainable income. By
providing the necessary tools and support, the DRDAR aims to stimulate job creation and
economic development within the province.
Hailing from the small town of Steytlerville in Beyers Naude Municipality with a population of less
than 5000, Nonkonana’s fortunes and six other members of the cooperative will change for the
better thanks to DRDAR’s generous donation.
“I’m thrilled to receive these sewing machines. They will enable us to take our business to the
next level, create jobs, and contribute to the growth of the local economy.
“Currently we only have one sewing machine in the cooperative and we use that to supply local
clients including the local primary school. With these new machines, we will be able to produce
more clothing items and hopefully we are going to get more clients now including government
departments,” added Nonkonana.
She said to them, the sewing machines are more than just equipment – they’re a key to unlocking
her cooperative’s full potential.
Nokholekile Hermans hailed the Department for the donation saying the seven families
represented by each member of the cooperative will change for the better.
“We will now be able to send our children to school. These will assist us to feed our families as
we will now generate more income,” Hermans said.
Since 2017, the department has supported 976 clothing and textile cooperatives/businesses,
benefiting 4,234 individuals. More than R25m has been invested in providing industrial machines
and materials to primarily women, youth, and people with disabilities.
In the current financial year, the Department has allocated more than R2,2m for the procurement
of sewing machines to support 103 cooperatives across all six districts and two metros in the
province.
Speaking at the handover, DRDAR MEC Nonceba Nkontsiwe said the department wanted the
beneficiaries to improve the quality of their work and become commercial business people.
“I want to encourage you to move forward and become sustainable because you cannot always
depend on government. One day you should open your own shops or supply commercial clothing
retail stores” Kontsiwe said.
She added that government wanted to empower women and liberate them from becoming
dependent to men. She expressed joy that that most beneficiaries were women, saying this will
assist them to grow their enterprises