BY SETHABILE MYENI
MBABANE – The Seed Soil Harvest Ministry (SSHM) has launched Avante Garde Fashion Show in Piggs Peak and they combined their passion for fashion with waste management.
In collaboration with Piggs Peak Town Council, Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA) and Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), SSHM hosted this event to appreciate the work done by entrepreneurs in reusing and recycling waste into exceptional products.
Futhi Mavuso from the Seed Soil Harvest Ministry said the organisation has committed itself in educating communities on waste management, doing clean up campaigns and also encouraging the youth to use their skills to generate income.
The organization had a Seed Soil Harvest Ministry Competition where young entrepreneurs show case their out fits made from recycled waste.
On an interview with one of the winners, Nkosinomusa Gumbi who came second in the competition and has a business called Nkosi Crochet and she makes outfits from sacks and wool.
“I started this business three years ago I was inspired by other fashion designers but I chose to differ by using waste to design outfits. This was during Covid-19 pandemic hence I had time to learn and start the business,” she said.
Gumbi mention that she does not have a store yet and that she is doing door to door deliveries on order.
The EEA Environment Information Officer, Belusile Mhlanga appreciated the initiatives by SSHM for waste management and explained that government is looking into solutions to address the waste problem especially plastic pollution.
“The youth should sharpen their skills and develop sustainable and resilient livelihoods which can also create employment opportunities for other young people. It is also important to control quality when designing products so there is a wider market reach,” she said.
