The team from the Remake Programme at Taking Care of Business holding the sleeping bags they made are Nosisi Nkqai and Masande Ntshingana. With them are TFG chief strategy officer James Wilkinson; team member Akhona Nomazanqa; Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and the rest of the team Zukiswa Honono Cornelia Gushman and Siphosethu Mchithakali
Image: supplied
The first batch out of 2 500 sleeping bags, made from upcycled store marketing materials and recycled fabric waste were donated to the Safe Spaces Shelter in Green Point yesterday, Wednesday March 19.
Two hundred sleeping bags were delivered by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as part of a project by the City of Cape Town, service provider Matdoc Projects, non-profit social enterprise Taking Care of Business (TCB) and clothing retailer TFG, aiming to assist people living on the streets while promoting entrepreneurship and diverting textile waste from landfills.
The materials for the sleeping bags come from TFG, and production is facilitated by TCB’s Remake Programme, which supports enterprise development and accelerates economic opportunities for previously unemployed men and women.
The project helps divert textile waste from TFG’s operations while upskilling seamstresses through entrepreneurship in the circular economy.
Mr Hill-Lewis said: “We are very grateful for this meaningful contribution to our City Safe Spaces, which offer dignified transitional shelter and social programmes to help people leave the streets for good.
“Safe Spaces offer a range of services including personal development planning, family reunifications, employment opportunities, referrals for mental health, medical, and substance abuse treatment and more. With the help of NGO partners, residents and the private sector, we can achieve our goals to keep expanding the Safe Space model to more parts of our city."
TFG CEO Anthony Thunström said: “We want to practise responsible product stewardship in the way we design, manufacture, sell and dispose of products to minimise environmental impact.
“We also recognise the many challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness. As winter approaches, we hope the sleeping bags provide some much-needed warmth and comfort."
Tracey Gilmore, co-founder and chief operating officer of TCB, said this partnership demonstrates the power of circular economy solutions that turn waste into worth.
“Through our Remake programme, unemployed seamstresses are learning how to run micro-manufacturing businesses, earning an income, developing their skills, and contributing to a sustainable future. By turning textile waste into warmth, we’re not only helping those in need but also fostering entrepreneurship that builds long-term resilience."