Clothing our children, one uniform at a time
Mang Kapa Mang in Munsieville with assistance from the Department of Social Development is setting out to ensure Munsieville children have proper school uniforms.
Women empowerment as well as child and community development – these are the pillars on which the Mang Kapa Mang organisation in Munsieville is built.
In one large act of kindness recently, the all-women business team made up of Christina Rapoo, Lebogang Dube, Dorries Motlhodi, Beauty Mosuthwane and Sheila Mabunda set out to help Munsieville children get through the school day without worrying about their basic needs being met.
Mang Kapa Mang is essentially a school uniform manufacturing co-operative in Munsieville, as the team explains it.
The organisation was formed shortly after the Gauteng Department of Social Development introduced the Bana Pele, also known as Children First initiative.
“This is a programme with a basket of services for children, including the provision of school uniforms to destitute learners,” explained Sibusiso Chauke, Media Liaison for the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
“It was not easy in the beginning but through determination we are still going strong,” said Christina.
“We always rope in young people; we develop them by teaching them sewing skills. We would like to expand our business to create more jobs, especially to empower more women and youth. We also hire young men, although they do not stay long as they want quick money. We want to eradicate poverty in the community, so that they should not rely on social grants. We wish other departments and private companies could give us business. We will be forever grateful to Social Development for their support over the years.”
