Some of the sewing course graduates show off garments they have made. From left, are Maajidah Hendricks, Shannon Sissing, Yekelwa Tunce, Jamie-lee van Schalkwyk and her aunt Alvise van Schalkwyk, Nobubele Makinana, and Zaakirah Johannes. Reginald Unthank is at the back.
A man and nine women can now make their own clothes after doing a three-month sewing course in Tafelsig.
The course was run by Serve The Needy, a non-profit organisation in Tafelsig, and the trainees received graduation certificates on Wednesday December 13.
Reginald Unthank, from Tafelsig, said he now hoped to open a tailor shop.
“It was nice being the only man in the group as I could inspire the young women, but I often got flustered with the multitasking,” he said.
Mr Unthank said he had learned to cut, sew and work with fabrics.
Maajidah Hendricks, from Beacon Valley, said she had been looking for work when she had spotted the course advertised on someone's WhatsApp status.
“I achieved new skills, and we received a weekly stipend of R350, which allowed us to put something on the table,” said the mother of a one-year-old boy.
Serve The Needy CEO Albertus Solomons said they hoped to shorten the lines at soup kitchens by running the course. He appealed to clothing manufacturers to offer apprenticeships and hire the course participants.
The next course will run from January 15 until March 18.
“They made garments and excelled. We showed them that they could do things,” he said.
For more information and to apply for the next course, call Mr Solomons at 074 213 6880.