Destiny Cooperative remains firm after a decade
'It was not easy in the beginning but through determination we are still going strong' – Founders.
Women-run Destiny Co-operative is determined to grow its business.
The co-operative was established in 2010 when Gauteng Department of Social Development introduced Bana Pele (Children First), a school uniform manufacturing project. It was founded by five women, namely Elda Makuta, Flora Tsotso, Joyce Makhubo, Fridah Liburu and Phindile Nxumalo.
The successful clothing, school uniform and curtain manufacturing cooperative is based in Luipaardsvlei.
Sibusiso Chauke, Communication Officer at the Gauteng Department of Social Development narrated their journey.
“When we approached them 10 years ago to be part of school uniform manufacturing project, they never looked back and have been operating since.
They have expanded their project because they are no longer manufacturing school uniforms only. They are now producing clothes for individuals, church uniforms, curtains and medical personal protective equipment (PPE).”
The founders said in a statement, “It was not easy in the beginning but through determination we are still going strong. When we have more work, we employ more staff on a short-term basis. Since national lockdown due to Covid-19 came into effect, only the founders have been operational because we must respect restrictions.
“PPEs are the most demanding products we manufacture now. We are planning to expand to enable us to create more jobs, especially empowering more women. We wish to partner with training centres to afford sewing skills to the youth. We will be forever grateful to Social Development for their support over the years.”
