What do you get when you up-skill underprivileged women by teaching them how to make sustainable clothing? A better and more conscious South Africa! Meet Colours of A Kind, the non-profit company doing exactly this.
South Africa (26 March 2023) – Sustainability mindsets are trending across the world. More people are becoming conscious not only of what they purchase, but what goes into what they purchase. The result? The opportunity and need for more ethical production skills.
Jackie Vorster of female-based empowerment non-profit, Colours of a Kind, is helping make this kind of change. Set on cleaning the global textile industry’s act up, the goal was simple. Help the environment, and do it in a way that’s impactful. Thus, Colours of A Kind was born.
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“As the textile industry makes strides to reduce its environmental footprint and support the circular economy through recycling initiatives and greener production lines, one must not ignore the important social and economic role that the sector can play, especially in a developing country such as South Africa.” — Jackie Vorster.
For Colours of a Kind, driving change starts with teaching skillsets to the women who need it most. Initially, COAK began with Learn Make Sew. Here, it provided free training in basic sewing skills as well as personal development, to equip women with the skills they need to enter the workforce.
Later, more exciting opportunities would follow. With its SETA-accredited Colours of a Kind Accelerator Programme, it now offers students in need a fully sponsored opportunity. They’ll complete a one-year General Education and Training Certificate in the Clothing Manufacturing Process with the Fashion Institute of Garment Technology!
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Thereafter, fashion’s untapped future creators will have their certificates from the Cape Town College of Fashion Design. This gives them the opportunity to find work in a blossoming sustainable field. Graduates of the accelerator programme are also supported in landing jobs. 2023 will see Colours of A Kind have its own production studio, where graduates can intern and grow their skills further.
Beyond fashion, business skills are also built-up.
“Once you give a woman the opportunity to learn and show her how to operate in a place of business, even if she leaves your employ, she will be able to get a job somewhere else.” — Jackie Vorster.
A more sustainable future for South Africa by women, for all? We love to see it!
“When you uplift women you uplift communities.” — Colours of a Kind.
For more on Colours of a Kind, check out their page.
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