03 Sep 2013

The textile and clothing industry has the potential to meaningfully contribute to the country’s socio-economic development. 

Speaking at a ground breaking ceremony for a clothing manufacturing factory in Molepolole recently, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Dorcas Makgato-Malesu, highlighted that according to statistics, the textile and clothing sector was the third export earner after diamonds, copper and nickel.   

The minister stressed that it was no wonder that government continued to believe that if supported and upgraded, it had the potential to become a viable and competitive manufacturing sector. 

“The sector has been prioritised as a key area for the Economic Diversification Drive, Poverty Eradication and Citizen Economic Empowerment,” she said. She expressed gratitude to PPC Cement for assisting How To Us Investment to grow.

The minister said the support of  PPC Cement was a clear demonstration of their true commitment and partnership with government in its endeavours to empower SMMEs and those in the rural areas.

The minister noted that in the past the sector had faced numerous challenges including “uncoordinated niche markets to tap into and build a strong enterprising culture, especially for SMMEs, such as the school uniform market, ethnic clothing and fashion design clothing.”

Other challenges highlighted by the minister included low productivity, quality and service levels, inadequate sector skills, lack of facilitative infrastructure and inadequate business partnerships, among others.

She explained that in recognition of these challenges, government facilitated the development of the Textile and Clothing Strategy that organisations such as How To Us Investment and several others would benefit from in order to expand and become competitive. 

“However, a paradigm shift is required from the way you have been doing business to now focusing on effective methods of production management to improve levels of competitiveness.”          

Ms Makgato-Malesu also noted that sector is labour intensive thus a source of employment, especially for women and the youth.  

How To Us Investment currently employs 10 people, but the minister expressed hope that upon completion of the factory, more jobs would be created. 

PPC Cement risk and project manager, Mr Kola Meswele said his company wished to see businesses it supported growing so that they could create more jobs.He confirmed that PPC Cement would continue to support How to Us Investment with relevant business skills for as long as the business existed.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Molepolole/Lentsweletau Administrative Authority, Mr Jeffery Sibisibi expressed optimism that the project would positively impact on many lives by providing employment, skills development and technological transfer. ENDS