DEPUTY MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HENDRICKS LAUNCHES TEXTILE FACTORY TO EMPOWER PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

By Justice Malapane.

On Monday, 10 November 2025, the launch of the Textile Factory Industry for Persons with Disabilities in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, was marked by a call from Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mr Ganief Hendricks, for all South Africans to unite in supporting the empowerment of persons with disabilities. He emphasised the importance of collaboration and unity in enhancing work opportunities, services, and economic inclusion for this community.

The initiative is a key component of a comprehensive strategy aimed at promoting inclusive growth. It also marks the commencement of the provincial Mentorship and Coaching Programme, which seeks to enhance the capacity, sustainability, and overall impact of protective workshops throughout the Eastern Cape. Currently, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development supports 25 protective workshops, which provide psychosocial support, facilitate skills development, and create opportunities for economic participation for persons with disabilities.

“As we launch this Textile Factory Industry for Persons with Disabilities, I call upon all stakeholders, funders, government and the private sector to work in collaboration with leaders in rural communities to establish this model of factories in rural areas,” said Deputy Minister Hendricks.

Deputy Minister Hendricks urged all stakeholders, including funders, government, private sector actors, and leaders in rural communities, to work together to replicate this factory model in rural areas. He emphasised that genuine empowerment would be achieved only when persons with disabilities have equitable access to South Africa’s economic resources, particularly in the means of production and participation in the distribution chain.

“South Africa needs local textile factories to supply clothes and other items to big stores across the country. As we do that, let us lobby and push towards ensuring that at least ten percent of the local produce is produced and distributed by persons with disabilities,” he said.

The Deputy Minister commended the collaborative effort behind the launch, highlighting contributions from the National and Eastern Cape Provincial Departments of Social Development, the Association for the Physically Disabled Nelson Mandela Bay (APD-NMB), the Foschini Group, and other partners. He noted that such partnerships reflect the collective will to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

“Collaborations reflect our collective national goal to foster inclusive development, alleviate poverty, and ensure that persons with disabilities engage meaningfully in the economic landscape. Through mentorship, collective learning, and partnership, we can establish a network of protective workshops that are independent, innovative, and sustainable,” said Hendricks.

The launch coincides with Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), commemorated annually from 3 November to 3 December under the theme “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society.” This campaign seeks to advance the rights, dignity, and empowerment of persons with disabilities while encouraging public participation in building an inclusive South Africa.

Ongoing support from the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development for protective workshops not only provides valuable training and employment opportunities but also contributes to improved mental wellness and economic independence of persons with disabilities. The establishment of the textile factory is expected to create sustainable livelihoods, thereby enhancing local economic development and promoting greater social cohesion.

“This launch is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a call to action for all sectors of society to ensure that inclusion is not a promise but a lived reality for every South African,” concluded Deputy Minister Hendricks.