A Woodstock-based organisation is determined to empower women with the skills development needed to find employment within the fashion and textile industry.
Colours of a kind is a leading female-based empowerment accelerator that seeks to boost employment opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship and promote financial independence for disadvantaged women.
Jackie Vorster, General Manager for the organisation, says they aim to provide women, who are often the primary caregivers, with the skills to equip them to rise above their circumstances.
She says the training starts with the accelerator programme.
Vorster explains that this is a year-long Seta-accredited course. It offers students a unique and fully sponsored opportunity to complete a general education and training certificate in the clothing manufacturing process at the Fashion Institute of Garment Technology by the Cape Town College of Fashion Design.
She says once students have completed the course the organisation offers them an employment opportunity to gain experience.
“We have a creative studio which is a sewing studio where we employ our graduates as interns.
“We want them to get experience for when they find a job in the fashion industry. The great thing about the internship is that they get consistent training. So, this allows us to continue their skills development not just in sewing techniques, but also in the principles of business, project management and time management.”
She says applications for the programme open in August and are open to South African women between the ages of 18 and 35.
“There isn’t any other prerequisite except that we favour women from disadvantaged communities because we want to give opportunities to those who cannot afford to educate themselves.
“All we ask is that they make it to the venue to attend the course each day.”
Maitland resident Sindisiwe Phafuli is one of the recent graduates.
Like so many women with a child to support, Phafuli was not working and did not have enough money to study fashion.
Colours of a Kind sponsored her with education and mentorship and enabled her to begin working in fashion, enabling her to be one step closer to realise her dream of opening her boutique, and dressing local celebrities and cabinet ministers.
Phafuli says she completed the programme about two years ago.
“I didn’t know anything about sewing I was so interested in learning how to make things. When I completed the programme, I know how to make a dress, I knew how to make jewellery, because they taught us how to make jewellery as well. Now I have my studio at home and I am also helping other young women.”
Vorster says: “We’re so proud of Sindisiwe, she is living the vision of Colours of a Kind and inspiring others to do their best.
“Our graduates have sound business skills to take their professional journeys forward. Once you give a woman the opportunity to learn and show her how to operate in a place of business, it opens doors for her.”
Vorster believes that financial independence is crucial in the widespread upliftment of women in South Africa and believes that there are great opportunities within the textile and fashion industry.
“It’s an exciting sector, ripe for new talent as it shifts towards a more environmentally, socially and economically inclusive future. Helping women to succeed here is part of that and is at the core of Colours of a Kind. This year we have expanded into our production studio, to upskill our interns and to continue to provide a supportive and creative space for women.”
To date, the organisation has assisted over 100 women to progress professionally into the fashion and textile industry.
Wednesday 8 March marked International Women’s Day.
Vorster encourages women to pursue their dreams on that day.
“Believe in yourself. You’ve been given dreams for a reason, do not stay knocked down, keep getting up. Believe in the power of your dreams. There is so much power in women supporting women”.
- For more information, visit https://www.coloursofakind.org
