Last week, we had the wonderful opportunity to send two of our team members to a specialised sewing course arranged by SAFLEC and funded by the eThekweni Footwear and Leather Cluster.
As a proudly South African handmade brand, we believe that true craftsmanship isn’t just maintained - it’s nurtured, and investing in skills development is essential to keeping our mission alive. Opportunities like this allow us to uplift our staff, strengthen our factory, and ensure that traditional manufacturing skills continue to thrive in our country.
Faith and Zandile, two of our budding seamstresses, travelled to Durban for an intensive five-day training programme. The course was fully hands-on and wonderfully practical. Over the week, they learned how to craft a complete bag from start to finish, while also gaining confidence in understanding, operating, and even troubleshooting industrial sewing machines.
One of the highlights was learning directly from industry expert Zuraida Saib of ZA Gear, whose guidance left a lasting impression. Faith and Zandile returned home inspired, motivated, and proudly carrying the beautifully made bags and aprons they had sewn themselves - a tangible reflection of how much they had grown in just a few days.
We are incredibly grateful for initiatives like this, which uplift our people, strengthen our factory, and help preserve traditional leathercraft in South Africa. At Groundcover, we remain committed to supporting and developing the artisans whose hands shape every piece we make.
