New Horizons sews on

Gallery Video

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS AND VIDEO - Life as they knew it changed for many local businesses amid Covid-19, including for sewing co-operative New Horizons. Although money is tight, this hasn't stopped them from reaching out to their community by sewing 3 000 masks for school children.

According to a single mother Hanna Makoba, who founded New Horizons in 1999 as a way to keep her and her three children afloat, the co-operative shifted its focus from clothing to masks as a way to remain profitable.

The biggest expense for New Horizons, which now employs 11 people, is the rent of their building in Asherville. However, when they recently completed a large order for Stitch Wise in Johannesburg and received a donation of material from the company, they didn't hesitate to use the resource to help their community.

"It's important to give back," Makoba told Graaff-Reinet Advertiser, as her team of mostly women sewed away in the background, wearing face masks of their own.

PHOTO GALLERY: SEWING FOR THEIR COMMUNITY

The task of making 3 000 face masks sounds daunting, but with the guidance of Makoba, the process runs like a well-oiled machine.

Firstly, material, in three layers, is set aside for the masks by Denzel van Rensburg. Then, a row of sewers is responsible for overlocking the masks, after which Meriam Barendse cuts the string of masks. Each mask is then folded by Elroy Mkomo and Samuel Lewis, and these folds are kept in place with washing pegs. Sewers then stitch these in place, straps are added and a final quality check is done before the masks are packed.

These masks will be donated to schools across Graaff-Reinet.

WATCH A VIDEO BELOW.

Makoba said the co-operative has had a positive response since switching to making masks; so much so that she's brought on 13 more team members from the community to help. According to Makoba, New Horizons was started 21 years ago with one sewing machine and one overlocker, which she used to make school clothes and a living for her and her children.

It has since become a safe space for other single mothers, where Makoba hopes their dignity can be restored through the work they do.

"This must be a place for help, or even just words of encouragement," Makoba explained. "This must be an oasis."

We love our job! A few of the team members who helped make 3 000 masks for school children. Front: Denzel van Rensberg. Second row: Miemie Mkomo, Rochelle Blaauw, Meriam Barendse and Samuel Lewis. Third row: Shimoné Balie, Pumla Njana, Ingrid Makelima, Maria Meishick, Esthar Maya, Lynise Taho, Boniswa Bitterhout and Hanna Makoba. Back: Cornelia Mvuka and Francis Dube. Photo: Paula-Ann Smit