Kempton Park partnership empowers women with fashion skills training

A new skills development partnership between N&N Fashion Works and Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare and Community Centre is helping to provide practical empowerment opportunities for women survivors of GBV and economic hardship in Kempton Park.

The collaboration was highlighted at a recent event, which marked the introduction of a community-focused programme that uses fashion and design skills as tools for rehabilitation, confidence-building, and economic independence.

According to organisers, the initiative is centred on providing women with access to practical training that can help them rebuild their lives through sustainable skills development.

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N&N Fashion Works founder and CEO Nicholas Abrokwa said the programme is rooted in lived experience and a long-standing commitment to community upliftment.

“Over time, giving back to the community became a driving force behind the work we do,” he said.

Abrokwa said the partnership with Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare and Community Centre, a GBVF survivors’ shelter led by Cynthia Nomsa Dinalane, has allowed the initiative to reach women in need of structured support and skills training.

The programme focuses on creating pathways towards independence through hands-on training in areas such as sewing, garment construction and design, alongside basic entrepreneurial skills.

Dinalane said the collaboration plays an important role in supporting recovery and restoring dignity.

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“This partnership goes beyond teaching a skill. It restores dignity, confidence and hope. Many of the women we support have experienced deep trauma and economic hardship, so having access to practical skills creates real pathways for empowerment and healing,” she said.

She added that the partnership is driven by shared values around community upliftment and long-term support.

“We are grateful for the willingness to share skills and time. It is helping women rebuild their lives and futures,” she said.

Programme facilitators said the initiative is designed to create a safe, supportive environment where participants can learn, create and regain confidence.

“We try to create more than just a workspace — we create a safe space where women can learn and feel valued. It’s about rebuilding confidence through practical skills,” said programme representative Thapelo Nhlabathi.

Nhlabathi said the training goes beyond technical skills and also includes discipline, creativity, and a basic understanding of business.

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“It’s not just about making clothing, it’s about learning how to turn those skills into something sustainable,” he said.

He added that the long-term goal is to expand the programme to reach more women and broaden its impact.

“When you find people who believe in the same kind of impact, it makes the work meaningful. The support we’ve received shows that what we are doing matters,” he said.

Organisers said the initiative is focused on long-term empowerment, aiming to help participants become financially independent and confident in their abilities through creative skills development.