Owesifazane Onethemba (Woman of Hope) marked a major milestone last Thursday with the official opening of its new classroom at Grace Family Church.

The skills-transfer and mentorship programme, founded by Colleen Blew and Jenny Pringle to empower women through sewing, continues to transform lives across Ballito, Melville, Shayamoya and Cornubia.

“We have been saving for nearly two years to get our new classroom and we finally secured it in August. We wanted to take a day simply to give thanks – for the classroom, for all that God has done for us and to celebrate, instead of just moving on to the next thing,” said Blew.

Since its inception in 2018, the programme has trained more than 200 women. Of these, 53 have started their own businesses and 13 have secured formal employment, cementing its vital role in uplifting the community.

The new classroom provides trainees with a dedicated, permanent space, eliminating the need to pack up after each session.

Blew expressed deep gratitude to the sponsors who made the expanded training facility possible.

Amid the singing, cheers and stories of hope was that of Chelsea Mfeka, one of the first students in the programme. Today, she is a fashion designer and business owner who employs others in her community, carrying forward the programme’s legacy of empowerment.

Shylet Mareya, originally from Zimbabwe, shared how learning to sew has not only given her financial freedom but also enabled her to uplift those around her.

“I make clothes and donate them to people in my community,” she said.

The wheel of empowerment never stops turning – women are taught, they learn, they pass on their skills, and in doing so, they uplift their families and communities.

To join the program contact Colleen at 082 773 2117.

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