Sactwu invests R25m to grow jobs

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel

Published Apr 16, 2014

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Jason Felix

R25 MILLION – that’s how much the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) has “boldly” invested in the construction of Africa’s first clothing design centre, to be completed in September in Epping.

The centre was launched by Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel yesterday.

Sactwu general secretary Andre Kriel said their goal was to grow jobs within the sector.

“This is a national company and in the Western Cape there are just more than 800 workers. We are hoping that 200 new jobs will be created with the new centre. The clothing industry has been hit really hard in the past four years. We have seen many job losses, but through government intervention we saved some jobs. Last year was our best because 400 new jobs were created,” he said.

Kriel said the centre was critical for workers as new ideas and clothing designs were to be developed there. “It is safe to say that the clothing sector in the Western Cape is like mining in the North West and Gauteng. We will continue to lobby government to invest more because we cannot lose any more jobs.”

The centre, renamed the Trade Call Investments Apparel (TCIA) – a company incorporating Bibette, Bonwit, Dermar Designs, Little Number, Monivo and Prestige Apparel clothing groups – will act as the creative hub for designers and clothing manufacturers.

Smaller clothing manufacturers would also be able to use the facility at reduced prices.

Sactwu acquired TCIA last year, then named Seardel, to save more than 2 000 jobs when it faced liquidation.

TCIA chief executive Herman Pillay said the union’s investment showed it was serious about saving jobs. “They have set a huge bar for other unions.

They walk the talk, instead of just complaining.”

Workers welcomed Patel’s visit. “We are happy that the minister is here to see what we have on offer in the factory. The new centre also presents us with an opportunity to create designs,” Fatima Erispe, from Lansdowne, said.

Patel, Sactwu general secretary before his appointment as minister five years ago, said: “We are moving

towards being cost effective and the centre will add to that.

I am also glad to see that high-end retailers are also sourcing all their products locally. Government will increase incentives for companies who invest in local products.”

Patel said TCIA had designed all branded clothing for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

The factory also manufactures clothing for Woolworths, Truworths and Foschini stores.

Economic Development, Finance and Tourism MEC Alan Winde said: “There are some issues on which our industry cannot compete with the rest of the world.

But on quality and producing the goods we can.”

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