BY MBONGENI NDLELA
NTONDOZI – Eswatini’s development towards economic inclusion continues to result in economically productive projects around the country. Most recently, Business Women Eswatini launched a cottage factory for people living with disabilities at Lobamba Inkhundla. The factory currently supplies reusable shopping bags for leading retailers like Pick n’ Pay Lorjaf.
During the launch, the Member of Parliament from Ntondozi thanked Business Women Eswatini for seeing it fit to bring the factory to the area. He emphasized his appreciation for how it positively impacts the lives of people living with disabilities who work from there. He further appreciated the fact that the factory brings the opportunity for upskilling the people living with disabilities as they will be taught to produce more than what they are currently sewing.
The Minister thanked the partnership which brought the factory to fruition because it brings the opportunity for people living with disabilities to be self-employed. His words were echoed by the Business Eswatini CEO E. Nathi Dlamini. He said “The organisation does not take donations but we encourage investments because we are in the business of multiplying what has been sewn to benefit the next person.”
Minister Pholile Shakantu thanked Mrs Tokkie Hou for pioneering Business Women Eswatini for launching the Vukani Bomake Project, which has given birth to the factory at Ntondozi, among others. “I would like to thank all the sponsors, especially the Vukani Bomake project, whose mantra has now become a familiar clarion call for all women, in every village, to get up and take personal responsibility for their own situation.”, said the Minister.
She added that “This is a remarkable effort by Business Eswatini to change the complexion of our mainstream economic landscape to involve more women, young people and persons living with disabilities.”
The factory was funded by the United Nations, in support of the country’s plan to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) for 2030. The factory is also supported by Pick N Pay Eswatini, Sports House, and Far East Textiles.
The factory already supplies Lorjaf Pick n’ Pay with reusable fabric shopper bags, and plans to expand its product offerings.
