In a constrained rural economy, true strength is often found in the practical mindset of young entrepreneurs who build opportunity by hand, step by step. For 20-year-old Hlengiwe Mkhatshwa from Hlobane, under the Hhukwini Constituency, a chance encounter with community mobilisers sparked a journey that transformed her from an eager teenager into a resilient business owner.

Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of WITAD’s skills development programme for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), demonstrating how targeted support can help young women escape poverty and step into leadership.

Laying the Groundwork: Knowledge as Power

In 2022, at just 17 years old, Hlengiwe first connected with WITAD. While she lacked the funds to pay for private training, she possessed an abundance of resourcefulness and a drive to learn.

Her journey began not with a product, but with foundational knowledge. In her first year, she completed critical training in business planning alongside sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). Understanding that human capital is the core of any community-based enterprise, this dual approach empowered her to make informed choices about her future and her livelihood.

Building Business Acumen

By 2023, Hlengiwe had progressed through WITAD’s vocational training, learning how to turn limited means into measurable results.

“They equipped us with more knowledge, where we were taught about business plans, budgeting, cash flow, and income statements. By 2023, we were already able to draft business plans confidently.” — Hlengiwe Mkhatshwa

Beyond individual business skills, she was educated on the power of collaboration. Training on cooperatives, bylaws, and lending equipped her with the networking skills necessary to build resilience in unpredictable markets. Hlengiwe recognized early on that shared knowledge opens doors.

Stitching a Sustainable Future

The turning point in her practical application came in 2025 when she was selected to participate in a specialized design and sewing programme. The curriculum focused heavily on producing formal corporate wear to target individuals and businesses.

Hlengiwe utilized this vocational training to immediately launch her own sewing enterprise. Today, her disciplined execution allows her to manage multiple roles and sustain a growing business amid economic uncertainty. Her diverse product line currently includes:

• Uniforms for pre-schools and primary schools

• Zion Christian Church wear

• Tracksuits and athletic wear

• Traditional attire and custom designs

A Vision Beyond Borders

The true measure of WITAD’s intervention is seeing young women achieve financial independence. Today, Hlengiwe is proud to state that she can fully sustain herself and provide for her household. But her vision does not stop at her local community.

Over the next three to five years, she aims to grow her sewing business into a fully established formal enterprise. Demonstrating the true spirit of a leader, Hlengiwe has her sights set on reaching customers beyond Eswatini and, eventually, teaching her sewing skills to empower women in other countries.

Through relentless daily effort and a commitment to continuous learning, Hlengiwe Mkhatshwa isn’t just sewing garments—she is stitching together a brighter, more equitable future for herself and her community.