Empowering Women in Makhanda: Transforming Communities Through Skills and Sustainable Businesses
By: Ayneara Richards
In the heart of Makhanda, South Africa, a powerful movement is taking shape—one stitch at a time. The Rotary Training Programme, backed by Rotary Global Grant, Inkululeko, local Rotary Clubs, and global partners, is equipping young women aged 18 to 35 with technical and entrepreneurial skills that ignite self-reliance, fuel small businesses, and transform entire communities.
This initiative isn’t just about teaching skills; it’s about creating real economic opportunities in a region where unemployment rates are staggering. It’s about empowering women to take control of their futures, support their families, and break free from the cycle of poverty.
The Reality in Makhanda: Why This Program Matters
Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, is a city in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the country’s poorest region. As of 2025, unemployment in Makhanda has soared to 47.1%, with youth unemployment surpassing 50%. Many young women here face barriers to education, job training, and financial independence, leaving them with few opportunities to escape economic hardship.
This is where the Rotary Training Programme steps in. Designed to uplift underprivileged women, the program provides practical skills and entrepreneurial guidance—a lifeline for those seeking to build sustainable businesses and take charge of their futures.
Building Skills, Building Businesses
The program’s mission is simple yet powerful: teach practical skills, provide business knowledge, and offer mentorship so women can launch their own microenterprises. Here’s what that looks like:
Mastering Sewing & Garment Production – From threading a needle to designing full-scale garments, participants gain expertise in crafting bucket hats, tote bags, skirts, and shirts.
Business & Marketing Essentials – They learn budgeting, business planning, and digital marketing, making sure their handmade products reach customers far and wide.
Financial Literacy with GBS Bank – Personal finance training ensures these women know how to manage income, save wisely, and grow their businesses sustainably.
From Training Room to Marketplace
The success of this initiative is already tangible. During the first 2025 cohort, participants showcased their handmade tote bags at a Rotary meeting. The response? Overwhelmingly positive. So much so that an additional presentation in Johannesburg is now in the works—proving these products have real commercial potential.
And it doesn’t stop there. With support from Creative Women of the World (CWOW), program participants are being introduced to global fair-trade markets, opening doors for international sales and long-term sustainability.
The Power of Collaboration
This initiative wouldn’t be possible without key partnerships:
Inkululeko – A Makhanda-based nonprofit ensuring that training aligns with the real needs of the local community.
Creative Women of the World (CWOW) – A U.S.-based organization providing marketing expertise, global artisan networking, and fair-trade opportunities.
Rotary Clubs in Grahamstown Sunset & Fort Wayne – Offering funding, mentorship, and exposure to key markets.
By working together, these organizations ensure that this isn’t just a training program—it’s a movement.
Why This Matters: Real Impact, Real Change
The Rotary Training Programme is more than skill-building; it’s about economic freedom. Here’s how it’s making a difference:
Financial Independence for Women – Graduates walk away with marketable skills and the confidence to start income-generating businesses.
Economic Growth for Makhanda – Small businesses strengthen the informal economy, create jobs, and uplift entire communities.
Fair-Trade Market Access – Thanks to partnerships like CWOW, women can sell their handcrafted goods internationally, securing a sustainable income.
A Ripple Effect of Empowerment – Each woman trained is an ambassador of change, inspiring others and breaking generational cycles of poverty.
Questions You May Have
What are the key focus areas of the Rotary Global Grant program?
The Rotary Global Grant funds high-impact projects worldwide, focusing on:
Community Economic Development – Supporting entrepreneurship and financial independence.
Education & Literacy – Enhancing vocational training and education access.
Clean Water & Sanitation – Providing communities with essential resources.
Disease Prevention & Health Initiatives – Tackling global health challenges.
Maternal & Child Health – Improving care for mothers and infants.
Promoting Peace – Encouraging conflict resolution and community stability.
Environmental Sustainability – Supporting eco-friendly initiatives worldwide.
These focus areas create real, lasting change in underserved communities.
How does the Makhanda project benefit from the Rotary Global Grant?
The Rotary Global Grant plays a crucial role in Makhanda by:
Funding skills training in sewing, entrepreneurship, and financial management.
Providing ongoing mentorship, product photography, and global marketing support.
Connecting participants with CWOW and fair-trade markets, ensuring financial sustainability.
This grant isn’t just funding a program—it’s fueling economic transformation for young women.
How can someone get involved with the Rotary Global Grant program?
Want to make a difference? Here’s how:
Join a Local Rotary Club – Get involved with humanitarian projects and mentorship.
Volunteer or Offer Expertise – Help train participants or provide business insights.
Donate – Support life-changing projects like this one with financial contributions.
Every contribution—big or small—drives real impact.
What resources are available to learn more about Rotary International’s initiatives?
Rotary International provides plenty of ways to stay informed and get involved:
Official Website– Explore global projects and initiatives.
Local Rotary Clubs – Attend events, meetings, and community projects.
Publications & Newsletters – Stay updated on Rotary’s latest impact stories.
Social Media – Follow Rotary on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook for real-time updates.
Stitching Hope into Makhanda’s Future
The Rotary Training Programme is more than just teaching women how to sew—it’s about giving them the skills, confidence, and opportunities to take control of their futures. Each stitch represents resilience, empowerment, and a step toward financial freedom.
Through this initiative, women in Makhanda are creating their own economic opportunities, building sustainable businesses, and inspiring change within their communities. And this is only the beginning.
If you want to be a part of this incredible journey, visit Inkululeko’s Blog or Rotary International to learn more about how you can support or get involved.
Together, we can stitch a brighter future—one woman, one business, and one empowered community at a time.