Sewing skills training students at Mfesane
“I am so grateful to Mfesane for this sewing skills training which I can use now to provide for my family and change the future of my children. It has opened my eyes to my abilities and I sew African attires and do alterations for my community,” says Khanyisa Vonco, one of Mfesane’s sewing skills trainee graduates.
Mfesane is a Non-Profit Company (NPC) that is a leading Christian development agency offering community-based health care, support services as well as skills training and education, empowering communities through sustainable partnerships. They reach out to communities in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and the West Coast.
On Wednesday 8 February dr Daniël de Wet from Witness Ministry paid a visit to Mfesane in Khayelitsha, Cape Town where he had a meeting with Ms Khayakazi Mdunyelwa, the programme manager and some of her other staff members. Mfesane is one of a number of ministries Witness Ministry is supporting and networking with.
He visited some of the skills training sectors and was pleasantly surprised by what he saw. Afterwards some witness stories from people that were trained at this centre were shared with him.
Dr Daniël de Wet (far left) watching how the sewing is done. Next to him is Ms Khayakazi Mdunyelwa.
Basic and advanced sewing skills training:
Vathiswa Manyisane, the facilitator of the sewing skills training, has been working for Mfesane for five years. “This year we have trained 90 unskilled men and women so far, and we receive very positive responses from our trainees,” says Vathiswa.
One of her trainees, Mrs Noluvo Ngcozela, came to Mfesane with no knowledge of sewing but many interesting ideas about sewing. Today she is one of their clothing seamstresses.
Noluvo’s husband was extremely supportive and helped nurturing her dream. After completing her term in training and obtaining a certificate she started sewing in full swing. She has registered her business and specializes in sewing Sishweshwe Xhosa traditional wear, skirts and aprons. Her work receives positive response and she earned many satisfied clients so far.
She says, “Being part of Mfesane has given me entrepreneurial knowledge and sewing skills. It helped me so much. Now I can do sewing alteration work in my community. I was also trained in bead work which I use to spice up my sewing skill.”
Khanyisa Vonco
Another sewing skills graduate of Mfesane, Khanyisa Vonco, started her training in 2018 as a basic and advanced sewing student. She also managed to increase her entrepreneurial knowledge by attending a programme called ‘Give yourself a job’ programme. It was facilitated by one of Mfesane’s training personnel for which she received a certificate. This will enable her to find a job or open her own sewing workshop. She says, “I am so grateful to Mfesane for this sewing skills training which I can use now to provide for my family and change the future of my children. It has opened my eyes to my abilities and I sew African attires and do alterations for my community”.
Khanyisa is a creative sewing graduate, and designs the African skirt (umbhaco) with matching beaded takkies. She also sews school uniforms and tracksuits, and as she is unemployed, she is making a living with her knowledge of sewing skills. Her goal is to own a business and be a story writer. Her personal motto in life is Wake up and do it for yourself. She is a young and brave woman who believes in self-determination.
Contact Ms Khayakazi Mdunyelwa at khayakazi@mfesane.org.za for more information.