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Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]

AROUND 1 000 women in the clothing and textile industry in Bulawayo are set to benefit from a new makerspace being established at the SMEs Centre.

The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and forms part of Government plans to empower women and promote women-led businesses.

The makerspace will provide access to specialised equipment, allowing women to produce high-quality products and improve the quality of end products, helping to penetrate more markets both domestically and internationally.

The initiative aims to address issues stemming from the gradual decline of large textile companies in the city, where many small businesses now import wares for resale  with limited domestic value addition.

The clothing and textile sector used to be a big employer in Bulawayo, but most companies that formed the backbone of the industry either closed shop, been liquidated or placed under judicial management.

In his post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the Ministry of Women Affairs Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development indicated that women in the textile industry in Bulawayo will access and use specialised equipment in the production of high-quality products.

This is part of the projects which are being implemented by the Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises in a bid to empower women and promote growth in their businesses.

“A makerspace for women in the clothing and textile industry is being established at the Bulawayo SMEs Centre. Through the makerspace, women in the textile industry in Bulawayo will access and use specialised equipment in the production of high-quality products. A total of 1 000 women will benefit from the project annually,” said Dr Muswere.

In an interview, Bulawayo Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises co-ordinator, Mr Nketa Mangoye Dlamini, said women in the clothing sector have been raising concerns that their productivity is being affected by a lack of machinery.

The lack of appropriate machinery is affecting the quality of end products.

He, therefore, said the makerspace will allow them to use specialised machinery to improve the quality of their products.  — @SikhulekelaniM1