Young fashion designer to help boost community’s sewing skills
"I want to dedicate my time and see to it that they know everything they need to know in terms of sewing."
The gap in skill-sharing within communities is often widened by certain unfounded prejudices and a growing disrespect between ages, yet the need to recreate a sense of community well-being makes learning new skills critical.
The 26-year-old fashion designer Sibusiso Hlwempu embarked on his journey of designing clothes six years ago and admitted that it had not being an easy one. What kept him going though was his strong self-belief.
Sibusiso who grew up at Sparrow Rainbow Village knows the importance of giving back to the community and has agreed to assist local residents with the skill of sewing at the Matholesville Skills Development Centre.
He was born in Zola in Soweto and later moved to Sparrow Rainbow Village where everything started for him when he realised that designing was his calling.
Circumstances forced Sibusiso to move back to Soweto as he had to take care of his siblings.
“I always see potential in other people and try by all means to groom and grow others. I promote self-belief.
“I have a lot to give back to the Matholesville Skills Development Centre and I am looking forward to teaching the community.
“I want to dedicate my time and see to it that they know everything they need to know in terms of sewing,” said Sibusiso.
According to Siyabonga James who is the coordinator of the Matholesville Community Youth Development Agency (CYDA), the sewing machines have been provided by the Department of Social Development decades ago and no one has been utilising them.
“The machines have been here in the Matholesville Skills Development Centre forever without anyone using them.
“The machines were provided so that the community of Matholesville could up-skill themselves, but there was no one with full experience to train the locals.
“I called upon Sibusiso to come provide such skill. The nice thing about the young man is that he’s now going to help develop local residents and enable them to make a living for themselves.
“Finally I have sealed the deal with this young aspiring fashion designer to help develop our local young people by teaching them this magnificent skill,” said Siyabonga.
“Members of the community interested in learning to sew like a professional fashion designer, and those who can support the initiative are advised to join CYDA on Friday, June 24 at the Matholesville Community Hall.
