City-funded programme boosts clothing industry SMEs, jobs

A City-funded programme that assists small clothing and textile businesses in Cape Town is set to become suppliers to large retailers resulting in the signing of new contracts. Read more below:

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos said at the Annual General Meeting of the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster (CCTC) that the Cluster, the City’s Special Purpose Vehicle in the industry, administered the Business Accelerator Programme wherein small enterprise manufacturers were trained to unlock procurement and build new and long-term supply relationships.

‘Just over 23 800 people work in Cape Town’s clothing and textile industry. It is one of the biggest industries within the manufacturing field and is one of the city’s most historically important. But it is worth noting that there is scope for growth in this regard. Research by this Cluster has found that at least 20 000 jobs can be created in clothing and textile manufacturing in the Mother City alone. Through initiatives such as the Business Accelerator Programme, we are working towards that aim,’ said Alderman Vos.

In the coming year, the City is looking to fund further such initiatives in the clothing and textile industry via the CCTC. The projects will aim to boost a pipeline of skilled workers, connect Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) with new markets, and unlock innovation.

According to Alderman Vos, a key outcome of the companies within the CCTC is the commitment towards increased localisation to boost productivity, employment and exports.

‘It has been gratifying to see the growth of this industry in Cape Town, particularly in the face of the challenging economic conditions of recent years. I am proud that as the City, we can support the enterprises and workforce of the clothing and textile industry because it means that we can ensure that opportunities become more accessible to more Capetonians,’ said Alderman Vos.