Upcycling is a worldwide movement that just keeps on gaining momentum. And why shouldn’t it? With this in mind, and because we’re celebrating remarkable local women this month, we chat to a trio who are all about the importance of mindful consumption.
Meet Brenda Scheepers, Proceed Ngcobo and Tholakele Mseleku. Upper Highway women who really care what they wear. Each has their own exclusive skill set but, together, they form the foundation of an incredible social entrepreneurship organisation dedicated to empowering local crafters called YEM-B.
YEM-B – Your End, My Beginning – was founded in August last year by Brenda who also runs Knoop Academy, a non-profit skills development programme that offers support and training to local crafters to increase their level of skill, quality of work and market share.
“Every Knoop Academy programme always delivers a star graduate or two but, when the skills training ends, they are often not quite ready to run their own businesses solo and sadly, many fail. I founded YEM-B to bridge this gap and give young businesses sheltered exposure to markets, business management, mentorship and product development,” says Brenda who has a background in fashion design and is passionate about educating consumers on responsible buying practices and the impact of their choices on the industry. Her slogan, Care what you Wear, emphasises the importance of mindful consumption.
“Most people think Knoop is my husband and YEM-B and the crafters are my children. The truth is, I am simply driven by years of witnessing unbelievable creative talent and skill never leaving the starting block due to a lack of access to good, sustainable markets. I am determined to change that.”
Brenda first joined forces with Tholakele who joined the Knoop team in 2019 as a crochet trainer.
“Thola was taught to crochet at the age of 14 by her grandmother. She has, to date, trained almost 50 Knoop learners to start their own businesses making beautiful crochet products,” says Brenda who proudly throws in that Tholakele is also qualified as a HIV counsellor and community health worker. “Thola has a natural tendency for learners to open up to her with regards to personal struggles or problems at home. This puts us in the position to offer support through our network of organisations that specialise in various trauma support services.”
Tholakele is a successful businesswoman in her own right and employs two crafters who help her serve her clients. Her biggest passion in life is to see her graduates succeed.
Two years later, the two were joined by Proceed, who’d signed up for a sewing programme with Knoop, and became the academy’s sewing trainer shortly after.
“Proceed, who was taught to sew at a young age by her dress maker mother – a gifted seamstress – has always been a curious learner and has done a few different skills courses to empower herself to improve the lives of her four young children. We don’t only use her services as a seamstress and trainer but, as a qualified furniture maker, she’s also the brainchild behind our ottoman frames, which she makes from scratch,” says Brenda.
Proceed’s passion is to empower other women to break the cycle of poverty. As a qualified trainer, she loves working in this field and helping others discover their own income-generating talents.
These days, this talented trio are supported by a core team of 10 crafters – there’s only one brave male among them – who meet every Friday (Creative Fridays) as part of their enterprise development programme. Known as Team Courageous Creativity, they breathe new life into post-industrial textile waste and leather, and turn it into functional and unique products – bespoke bags, clothing, toys, decor and jewellery.
The majority of waste upcycled by YEM-B artisans includes yarn from carpet manufacturing companies – like end of rolls, left over trims, recycled fabrics – and the cotton canvas they use is made from 50 per cent recycled material and 50 per cent locally grown cotton. Additionally, the linings used in their bags are made from 50 per cent recycled fabric.
“Looking back, it amazes me that in just three months our team upcycled well over 50kg of waste into 40 unique product designs which we marketed at this year’s SARCDA Exhibition and KIES Fair. We sold more than 360 items and are hoping to double that at the next events, later this year!” says Brenda who gives all credit to the passion, creativity and commitment of the crafters who’ve become rather talked about locally and internationally.
“I believe crafters are an enormous source of inspiration, and it is time we recognise and support them. I am so incredibly proud of this team. The interest in their beautiful, handmade products too, has been both heart-warming and exciting. Because of this, we’ve received orders from various shops across South Africa, as well as from New York, Botswana and the Netherlands,” says Brenda highlighting some of the other ways YEM-B has made a difference to the lives of those who are a part of it.
“Supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs not only creates jobs but also stimulates the local economy. Our programme offers more than just an income for crafters through the products we buy from them. We’ve also created an eco-system that helps the women (and men) to learn to work as a group and be accountable, to discover their own talents, find financial stability, build confidence, realise their self-worth, want more for themselves, and know that they can have it through hard work and dedication,” says Brenda. “To have been a part of their journey over the last year has been a very special privilege.
How can the community support YEM-B?
“By popping into our studio at 53 Abelia Road, Kloof (The Junction) or browsing online; or even by donating clean second-hand jeans which we use to make handbags. You can also chat to us about your B-BBEE score card and how we can help you earn valuable points that makes an impact on the beneficiaries,” says Brenda, adding that she is confident they will see a surge of new, innovative and fresh designs emerging from Africa in the craft industry.
Exclusive to Get It readers
Women’s Month Special
Take your August issue of Get It with you to the studio and get 15 percent off all YEM-B products for the month of August.
Details: Follow YEM-B on IG: Yem_b_shop and FB: yembshop, e-mail programs@knoop.org.za or visit www.yemb.shop
CAPS
Tholakele Mseleku, Brenda Scheepers and Proceed Ngcobo.
Mongi bag R1700, Sunglass case R185, ex VAT
Buffalo R380, Lion R380, Plettenberg bag R1100, ex VAT
Photo: Tilanie Grote Photography
