Kouga’s Economic Development section empowers local entrepreneurs

KOUGA – Eighteen Kouga residents are taking bold steps towards a better future, thanks to a hands-on skills development programme offered by Atlega for Women Business Enterprise – delivered in partnership with Kouga Local Municipality’s Economic Development (ED) section.

The accredited Gqeberha-based training organisation, led by founder Brenda Moduka, equipped three groups with practical skills in upholstery, shoemaking, and sewing, blended with strong business theory to build a resilient entrepreneurial mindset.

With new confidence, creative skills, and real business insights, participants are now positioned to turn opportunity into sustainable income — one stitch, one shoe, and one headboard at a time.

The ED section played a central role in supporting this initiative as part of its commitment to community upliftment, enterprise development, and long-term local economic growth. The programme forms part of the Impofu Windfarm’s community development commitments – one of the municipality’s key private-sector partners. Impofu Windfarm also promoted the training through its website and social media platforms.

For Moduka, this work is deeply personal.

“I was born and raised by my grandmother. I finished high school at 17, and two years later, I was a mother who had dropped out of university,” she said. “It took someone to help me – my pastor’s wife connected me with someone who gave me my first job. That opportunity changed my life. Now, my purpose is to pay that forward and support a woman like me.”

The upholstery group learnt to transform everyday materials into quality products.

“We use wooden pallets to build the structure for upholstered headboards, and we’ll make ottomans from old tyres,” Moduka said. “The saying goes: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Cobbler Lindile Rafani, who has 25 years of experience, guided the shoemaking group.

“Brenda invited me to facilitate the process, and it was exciting to watch participants develop these skills,” he said.

Moduka expressed her appreciation for the municipality’s support: “We want to see how we can further develop this group of participants. This is only the beginning.”