With his department pumping millions of rands into the revival of industrial areas in some parts of the Eastern Cape, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina has urged fashion designers to grab opportunities created that will arise from the investment with both hands.
Masina was addressing a group of nearly 40 fashion designers from across the province who were awarded certificates for successfully undergoing weeks of training to hone their skills since last year.
About 12 of them spent around six weeks in China learning the finer points of clothing and leather manufacturing.
“Use your creative talents in developing innovative products for both local and international markets by tapping into South Africa’s rich cultural symbolism,” said Masina.
He said at the moment, the South African clothing and apparel sector’s market slice to the global fashion sector was estimated at less than 0.03%.
“You have potential to develop the needed black industrialists to drive the economic development of the region and the province.”
One of those who went to China was Mqanduli-born Ncumisa Zibi, who has been designing handbags for the past three years. However, now she also wants to incorporate footwear design into her repertoire.
The 35-year-old told the deputy minister that although they were excited at having been granted an opportunity to polish their skills.
She said one of the challenges she had encountered as a self-taught designer in the past was acquiring the necessary equipment to produce handbags in bulks.
“There is a need to create a special fund to help ensure that there is continuation now that we have completed our training.”
Meanwhile, 53-year-old Bulelwa Mgobo from Northcrest in Mthatha, who is also self-taught and has been running her own boutique since 1994, said the training had opened her eyes to many aspects of her craft.
“I have been attending seminars and courses to learn about techniques which unfortunately I did not have since I never studied fashion designing at school,” said the mother of two.
She designs suits for men, wedding gowns and evening wear but would love to design for top gospel artists like Lusanda Mcinga and Hlengiwe Mhlaba.
Things looking up for fashion EC designers
Masina was addressing a group of nearly 40 fashion designers from across the province who were awarded certificates for successfully undergoing weeks of training to hone their skills since last year.
About 12 of them spent around six weeks in China learning the finer points of clothing and leather manufacturing.
“Use your creative talents in developing innovative products for both local and international markets by tapping into South Africa’s rich cultural symbolism,” said Masina.
He said at the moment, the South African clothing and apparel sector’s market slice to the global fashion sector was estimated at less than 0.03%.
“You have potential to develop the needed black industrialists to drive the economic development of the region and the province.”
One of those who went to China was Mqanduli-born Ncumisa Zibi, who has been designing handbags for the past three years. However, now she also wants to incorporate footwear design into her repertoire.
The 35-year-old told the deputy minister that although they were excited at having been granted an opportunity to polish their skills.
She said one of the challenges she had encountered as a self-taught designer in the past was acquiring the necessary equipment to produce handbags in bulks.
“There is a need to create a special fund to help ensure that there is continuation now that we have completed our training.”
Meanwhile, 53-year-old Bulelwa Mgobo from Northcrest in Mthatha, who is also self-taught and has been running her own boutique since 1994, said the training had opened her eyes to many aspects of her craft.
“I have been attending seminars and courses to learn about techniques which unfortunately I did not have since I never studied fashion designing at school,” said the mother of two.
She designs suits for men, wedding gowns and evening wear but would love to design for top gospel artists like Lusanda Mcinga and Hlengiwe Mhlaba.
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