Itireleng ladies and HIV ribbons

THABAZIMBI – More than 1500 beaded HIV ribbons for Kumba Iron Ore staff were made in two weeks time by the trainees of Itireleng. These ribbons had to be finished before Saturday 1st December, official AIDS day, now connected to Madiba’s 46664 campaigns. Christelle Badenhorst, in charge of training at Itireleng skills development centre (Kumba’s community training centre) said that not only did the Itireleng women work hard and learn a new skill, but they were also paid well. For each complete beaded ribbon, they were paid by Kumba. According to Christelle lots of plans are in the pipeline for training women at Itireleng. Where the men have training blocks (each three months long) training bricklaying, carpentry, boiler making aid and motor mechanics, a wider spectrum of skills for women are now being developed. Training women to work in lodges and cooking courses are being developed. Apart from current skills training such as sewing classes, computer training and the jewellery manufacturing, emphasis will also shift to other areas, especially where needs are identified. Once a week pottery classes are also taught to Itireleng ladies. If they can make things which will sell, then they can sell items and so put their new skills to good use, says Christelle. Along with the skills training an entrepreneurial skills course is offered so that they can start and run their own businesses. One such entrepreneur, who has benefited from Itireleng support, is fashion designer Bernard Mothupi who will be showing his t-shirts designs at a fashion show in Regorogile in two weeks time. He received help in buying material and will be using sewing machines from Itireleng. The financial spin-off from the fashion show should enable him to repay the support he received. In this way private initiative is boosted.