ASOHLULWA SINAMANDLA: A TESTAMENT TO RESILIENCE, CRAFT, AND ECONOMIC INCLUSION

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we spotlight a profound story of resilience, enterprise and inclusive economic participation. Asohlulwa Sinamandla Primary Cooperative, an entirely black-owned, women-led cooperative formed by entrepreneurs living with disabilities, stands as a compelling example of what happens when determination meets opportunity. Established in 2005 and formally registered in 2025, the cooperative demonstrates the catalytic impact of targeted support in unlocking the full potential of enterprises operating at the margins of the economy.

Operating from a six-metre container in Elliotdale’s Central Business District, within the Mbashe Local Municipality offices, this cooperative has transformed a modest working space into a vibrant manufacturing hub. Here, five women, each living with a disability, design, sew, bead and produce high quality garments that service an impressive range of community needs, from traditional wear and beaded accessories to school and church uniforms. Their model not only sustains the enterprise but has created five permanent jobs, with plans underway to expand their workforce in the near future.

The cooperative’s journey is a compelling case study in how deliberate investment in capacity building enhances competitiveness. Through training in Basic Business Skills and Cooperative Governance offered by the ECDC, as well as specialised sewing, knitting and beading training, the members have strengthened their technical capabilities and improved operational efficiency.

Critical to sustaining and scaling their operations has been access to tailored infrastructure support. The cooperative recently received state of the art sewing and embroidery machinery, including an embroidery legacy machine, direct stitch and safety stitch units, Singer sewing machines, bulk materials and a fully insulated 6 m x 6 m working space equipped with a kitchen unit. This investment, amounting to over R300 000, has significantly expanded their production potential, improved working conditions and fortified the foundation for future growth. The newly delivered equipment underscores the commitment to enabling inclusive and dignified enterprise development.

As we commemorate Disability Day, Asohlulwa Sinamandla reminds us that economic inclusion is not an aspiration, it is an imperative. Their story demonstrates that when persons with disabilities are provided with the right tools, capacity and market-oriented opportunities, they do not only participate meaningfully in the economy, but they also lead, innovate and inspire.

Today, we honour these women for redefining what is possible, for driving value in a competitive market and for building an enterprise that uplifts both their households and their community. Their work affirms a simple but powerful truth: disability does not diminish capability.

On this Disability Day, the ECDC reaffirms its commitment to promoting accessible, barrier free economic ecosystems where cooperatives like Asohlulwa Sinamandla continue to grow, compete and play a transformational role in building the Eastern Cape we envision.