Sewing factory is an overall brilliant initiative
"We are the ones who built the factory, and we will in turn buy the overalls that are made here. The overalls are proudly made in Matimatjatji," he said. Mtshengu advised the community of Matimatjatji to cherish the factory and to nurture it.
Cllr Mohlabane Kgoloko of SDM and Mr Director Matlala inside the factory.
Modikwa Platinum Mine officially handed over the Matimatjatji Sewing Factory to the local community on October 21.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Section 21 companies, Modikwa mine management, Devco managers, select PPE representatives, Magoshi, members of Hwashi Difagate Trust and representatives of the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM)
Handing over the factory, Mr Vishnu Pillay, Anglo Platinum joint venture’s head executive, said the mining giant wanted to narrow the infrastructural gap and help the communities to attain their developmental goals. Pillay said the Matimatjatji Sewing Factory was established in 2011 by Modikwa for the benefit of the community company (DEVCO). Select PPE and Quality Safety were chosen by the Anglo Supply chain to partner with Devco to transfer skills and manufacture the product.
“The time it took to be completed is a signatory that this is not a white elephant. This will be a sustainable project that will benefit the impoverished community of this area.
“We are not only creating jobs, but we are also bringing skills development to the villages.
“Our aim is to alleviate poverty in them,” he said.
Pillay said the mine chose to build the factory in Matimatjatji in order to bring employment and economic freedom to the villagers.
“To improve our economy, we need to empower people in the villages. Our eastern limb area has a lot of mines, but it is still impoverished.
“It still remains a must for business to ensure the community is developed.”
Modikwa’s business leader, Mr Mthi Mtshengu, said the mine would ensure support for the sewing factory.
“We are the ones who built the factory, and we will in turn buy the overalls that are made here. The overalls are proudly made in Matimatjatji,” he said. Mtshengu advised the community of Matimatjatji to cherish the factory and to nurture it.
“We want this factory to still be operating after 200 years,” he added.
The Matimatjatji sewing factory plans to also specialise in high-visibility jackets and overalls, clothing with reflective stripes, and gloves.
The first overall sewn by the factory’s workers, was also presented to an excited Pillay. Currently, more than 16 people are working at the factory.
In the recent past the mine had been actively involved in uplifting the surrounding communities through a number of projects that have earned the mine a good reputation.
Among the successful projects Modikwa embarked on were the construction of bridges, roads, a bakery facility and refurbishment of educational facilities.
