Ibhubesi Sewing Co-operative embodies its Zulu name 'Ibhubesi' translated to a lion. This animal is known for courage and strength in overcoming difficulties.
Thelma Mokgoshi is the founder and chairperson of Ibhubesi, formed in 2009. Eleven years later, she speaks passionately about sewing, professionalism and unity. She has 32 years of sewing experience and feels fulfilled when people are dedicated and succeed at achieving their goals.
"I love working in a co-operative because there's shared responsibility and that gives people opportunity to grow" she expressed joyfully.
Ibhubesi has a staff complement of eight, divided into 5members and 3 workers. Women lead the pack, only one male assisting them with administrative duties. In line with women empowerment, the co-operative believes in the adage that women have the ability to raise, build and multiply what they access.
Suzan Manana, seamstress with a decade at Ibhubesi said she arrived with basic sewing skills and has significantly learnt and grown her skills at the co-op and has been able to provide for my family.
Currently, they have a project to complete 300 orders of school uniform, such as skirts, tunics, trousers and shirts. After a payment delay, they exhibited courage and resourcefulness when they dug into their co-ops savings and personal pockets to buy material to progress with production.
The co-operative prides itself in their skill, meeting delivery deadlines and unity. They also rely on individual alterations and requests to boost them when there are no school orders.
Ibhubesi expressed appreciation towards the Department of Social Development for providing economic opportunities yet pleads with department to increase and equally distribute opportunities to all co-operatives.
Asked about their dream, they said "Edgars and Woolworths started somewhere, we have the ability to become as big and profitable as they are".