Helene Brand 
Vuyokazi Majali: A Taking Care of Business (TCB) Success Story Kraaifontein, 45 years old, mother of 2 When you’re at the bottom, you can only go up I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren, and my parents are pensioners – they all depend on me. I was working at an insurance company but lost my … Read more
Taking Care of Business (previously known as The Clothing Bank) is delighted to have received the Social Impact Award at this year’s Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards held on Thursday 23 November 2023. The award is open to organisations working in the fashion and textile system and honours those who have a direct positive impact on … Read more
[Cape Town, 26 October 2023] PHOTO: Shona Macdonald, the founder of Thursdays, the zero-waste, sustainable fashion brand, with Siphosethu Mchithakali “Sethu Wethu”, the fashion lecturer for the Taking Care of Business Remake Program models their green-and-gold inspired garments. South Africa’s passion for rugby and unity is unparalleled, and the upcoming Springboks vs. All Blacks World … Read more
Bradley Freeman, a TCB Repair Graduate, overcame drug addiction and is now self-employed, running an appliance repair and sales business. He has eradicated poverty from his life and is financially and socially independent. Most importantly, he has dignity. Now, he is paying it forward.
41, Cape Town “My designs are inspired by South African diversity.” Helen Makasi lives in Eerste River with her 16 year old daughter and 8 year old son and is a participant of the Remake programme at TCB (Taking Care of Business). From down and out to fashion designer Helen had completed her matric but … Read more
South Africa, June 2023 Tracey Chambers, CEO of Taking Care of Business (formerly known as The Clothing Bank), explains why entrepreneurship in the informal sector is the silver bullet to address poverty and unemployment Having worked as a social entrepreneur for over a decade, I’ve seen first-hand that self-employment and entrepreneurship – specifically in the … Read more
Loyiso Fuzile Since I’ve been in the Repair Progarmme at TCB, a lot of things have changed in my life. Before TCB, I had no confidence and couldn’t imagine doing all the things that I can do now. In the beginning I was afraid of working with electricity but now know how to work with … Read more
35, East London Sikelelwa Sandor, was born into a family of five in Port Elizabeth. At 35 years old and with three children, Sikelelwa struggled to make ends meet while self-employed. “After completing my college, I became self-employed, selling different products from different companies, unfortunately I could not make any meaningful amount of money” After … Read more
35, Tembisa “The biggest thing I learned was how to change my mindset.” Koena Mabitsela, a father of two boys, is a successful entrepreneur who restores and sells electrical equipment. But his journey to entrepreneurship was not an easy one. The Power of Mindset in Entrepreneurship Koena finished his matric and studied Industrial Engineering at … Read more
39, Johannesburg “The lessons I learned at TCB allowed me to change the way I think about myself and what I am capable of.” A woman of determination and resilience Xolisile Cele’s story is one of determination, hard work, and resilience. A mother of 3, she was once a struggling businesswoman who did not have … Read more