Mask sewing initiative injects over R1m into township economy

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Seamstress Aletta Mashao and others do not spend much time thinking about distribution channels, market linkages or exchange rates. As the main breadwinners in their households, what they do know is that when they make face masks for the COVID-19 pandemic, they and their extended families have food on the table. But a recent consignment of masks exported to Belgium has taken township businesses to new heights.

Mashao and Tsotetsi are among the more than 270 township seamstresses who are part of YES’s (Youth Employment Service) Masks4All initiative, which has already seen nearly 120,000 masks made, and resulted in a desperately needed injection of over R1m into township businesses - a small fortune, given that these businesses were cut off from earning money during lockdown.

15 Aug 2020 9AM English South Africa News · Daily News

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