The Sewing Café creates a new hub for fashion designers

Athene Knemeyer of Constantia had a simple idea to address unemployment: to give creative young people access to industrial sewing machines, a safe space to work, and encourage them to start their own clothing business.

In 2013, Ms. Knemeyer founded The Sewing Café (TSC) and its training centre, which has provided employment and professional skills in garment, bag, and blanket production, particularly to people from Masiphumelele and Ocean View. She now plans to launch a sewing machine rental initiative, enabling women to create and sell their own product lines.

Training consists of a free six-month sewing programme, which annually offers 40 unemployed people technical skills, mentorship, and basic business training. All graduates leave with SETA-accredited certificates.

“Our mission has always been about more than thread, fabric and profit; it’s about creating independence for people,” Ms. Knemeyer said.

“We have hired a number of the graduates for our Cut, Make and Trim (CMT), where we make high-quality clothing. But in this economic climate, that has limits. We now want to help young entrepreneurs and designers to do their own thing. What they need are reliable sewing machines and a professional environment, and we want to provide that.”

Through a machine rental initiative, women who wish to start their own businesses but lack the resources will soon be able to rent space and equipment for a low fee. This hub will also double as a place where products are tested for marketability and sales.

Ms Knemeyer’s plea to the public: “Instead of purchasing clothing made in Asia for your brand, your school or company — please come to us. Every order helps us continue to grow.”

Sponsorship of a sewing machine or resources required to launch this platform would greatly aid the initiative. “Whether you're a donor or a client of TSC, we ask you to support this initiative,” Ms. Knemeyer said.

Someleze Jabe, of Masiphumelele, started with Sewing Café at 15 years old with the dream of starting his own business, but due to limited resources, he didn’t know where to begin.

“When our teacher introduced us to the free high school sewing programme, I saw it as the opportunity I had been waiting for. I joined right away and never looked back.”

Mr. Jabe now holds a BCom Management Accounting degree from Stellenbosch University and is currently furthering his studies. In 2020, he picked up from the high school sewing programme and completed TSC’s sewing course. Thereafter, he started his own business called Jabeson Bag, which manufactures bags and clothing apparel, and he also works as a tailor.

“At the Sewing cafe I have gained so many important skills, like team work, sewing, creativity, customer engagement and many more. The challenge at the beginning was that I didn't have any prior knowledge about sewing machines, pattern making so it took some time for me to adjust to sewing in a factory environment, but with the patience from their programme teachers and Athene I then became the best version of myself,” Mr Jabe said.

As a founder of his business and a person who hails from a disadvantaged township, Mr. Jabe says he sees himself one day owning a big factory where he may be able to provide jobs to the unemployed.

“I hope to continue to manufacture strong, quality products that will tell our township stories to the world and show people that your background doesn't determine your future. As long as you are determined and passionate, you will make it.”

To learn more or get involved with the Sewing Cafe, email info@thesewingcafe.co.za or call Athene on 0722957074