DEPUTY MINISTER HENDRICKS LAUNCHES TEXTILE FACTORY TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

By DSD writer.

• Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks today launched a Textile Factory Industry for people with disabilities in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
• The initiative forms part of a provincial Mentorship and Coaching Programme aimed at strengthening economic inclusion and sustainability in protective workshops.
• ⁠“We must create opportunities that empower, restore dignity, and ensure that people with disabilities are at the centre of South Africa’s economic growth,” said Deputy Minister Hendricks.

The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mr Ganief Hendricks, today officially launched the Textile Factory Industry for people with disabilities in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. The launch marks a significant step in advancing the Department’s mission to promote economic inclusion and sustainable livelihoods for persons with disabilities.
The initiative also introduces the provincial Mentorship and Coaching Programme for protective workshops, a strategic intervention designed to build business capacity, enhance technical skills, and improve the sustainability of enterprises managed by people with disabilities.
The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development supports 25 protective workshops across the province, which offer psychosocial support, vocational training, and income-generating opportunities for persons with disabilities. While some workshops are thriving, others continue to face challenges such as limited infrastructure, shortages of skilled personnel, and minimal access to business development support.
“We must create opportunities that empower, restore dignity, and ensure that people with disabilities are at the centre of South Africa’s economic growth,” said Deputy Minister Hendricks during his address.
The newly launched textile factory is expected to serve as a model of inclusive enterprise development, equipping participants with hands-on skills in textile manufacturing, design, and small business management. It also aims to deepen collaboration between government, private sector, and social partners in supporting economic opportunities for people with disabilities.
Today’s launch coincides with Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), observed annually from 3 November to 3 December. The national campaign promotes the rights, dignity, and empowerment of persons with disabilities while encouraging the public to build a more inclusive society based on equality and access for all.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Minister Hendricks was joined by Ms Bukiwe Fanta, the Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development,,, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Association for the Physically Disabled in Gqeberha. The delegation also conducted site visits to the Motherwell Hub and the Nkosinathi Foundation, where they engaged with staff and beneficiaries who are championing community-based rehabilitation and skills development initiatives.
A highlight of the day’s programme was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The agreement will expand access to innovative technologies, drive productivity improvements, and create sustainable employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Deputy Minister Hendricks said the launch of the textile factory signals government’s commitment to building a society that values ability, innovation, and inclusion.
“The textile factory launch represents more than an economic initiative. It is a declaration that people with disabilities are not recipients of charity but partners in development, capable of driving innovation and change,” he said.
The new facility is expected to become a provincial hub for skills development and entrepreneurship, contributing to job creation and inclusive growth across the Eastern Cape. The initiative underscores government’s broader goal of ensuring that no one is left behind in South Africa’s social and economic transformation journey.