TFG is a family, a multi-cultural, massive collective of men and women from local communities all over South Africa striving to better themselves, their lives and ultimately the economy of the country.
Faheema Davids – owner of Joe’s Scatters
Faheema Davids is the owner of Joe’s Scatters. She had been in the clothing industry for many years as a CMT (Cut, Make and Trim) supplier and wanted to make a change. She decided on scatter cushions and Joe’s Scatters was born. She met a buyer from @home who was eager to support a local manufacturer and the relationship blossomed. Faheema always had a love of fashion and textiles and the move to manufacturing homeware was a natural shift.
When the COVID pandemic hit, TFG quickly realised that being local and focusing on local supply became a massive stability factor in their production and retail sales. Were it not for local partners like Faheema, they wouldn’t have had any products in-store. Faheema loves seeing her products displayed in the expansive @home stores such as the V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk. She loves that she gets to employ other ladies with artisanal skills like beadworking and hand-stitching. But most importantly, she wants to inspire others to dream big.
Graham Choice – Managing Director of the TFG Merchandise Supply Chain
Graham Choice is the Managing Director of the TFG Merchandise Supply Chain. He is a firm believer in, and advocate for, the Proudly South African movement and this sentiment is echoed in their local employment drives. One success story that he is especially proud of, is Prestige Clothing in Caledon.
Prestige Clothing started in 1989 with six people. Today they are the largest apparel manufacturer in the country with 2470 employees and another 288 students in learnerships who will soon graduate and add to this number. By 2026, this number will have grown to 5000 employees. In a small town like Caledon, where job prospects are limited, Prestige Clothing (as part of TFG), is changing both the community and economy. In Graham’s own words, “It’s wonderful to see ordinary people working as a team doing extraordinary things.”
Kutlawano Mabusela – Content Manager for TFG (60 Sec)
Kutlawano Mabusela is a Content Manager for TFG and his passion for the brand is palpable. He knows that the unemployment rate in South Africa is significant, but beams with pride at the job opportunities that are being created by TFG. Not only that, but how one brand, in particular, is making an impact and changing the face of the retail landscape. Sportscene has become TFG’s biggest brand, with a huge following on social media.
Their flagship store in Sandton is all about the buying experience, enticing customers to spend more time in the store. It’s not destination retail, it’s experiential retail. Up-and-coming music artists can utilise the in-store recording studio for free. Basketball enthusiasts can practice on their full-size court and shoppers get to take in all that is happening in this busy, trending store and Kutlawano will excitedly document it all for TFG’s social media.
Corporate Overview
TFG is a family, a multi-cultural, massive collective of men and women from local communities all over South Africa striving to better themselves, their lives and ultimately the economy of the country.
A sure-fire way to achieve economic stability is through the creation of jobs and supporting local people. Real employment for real people. TFG currently employs 23 000 people and this number is growing.
South Africa is a country with over 50% unemployment, and the bulk of these people are the youth: school-leavers without prospects for further education and employment. TFG deeply understands the impact this has and has risen to the occasion to actively provide thousands of jobs and meaningful opportunities.
Statistics show that every job created supports an average of 5 people. So TFG launched its Learnership Program, offering education through learnerships, with employment opportunities for community members and the prospect of significant local upliftment; with 90% of the learners who complete the learnership program becoming full-time TFG employees.
TFG also places a significant emphasis on creating opportunities for disabled members of society. In partnership with St. Vincent School of the Deaf, they’ve trained deaf learners on the entire chain of clothing production, absorbing many into jobs at their factories and developing the skills base for entrepreneurship and alternate employment opportunities. And with the success of the programme it is set to expand to 150 people by the end of 2023.
TFG wants to enable ordinary people, equipped with world-class training and facilities, to achieve extraordinary things. In an industry that has been especially hard-hit, rising above is a true testimony to the ability of TFG in not only staying the course, but mapping out exciting new futures for South Africans.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
If you want more of this inspiring content, join our newsletter.
We promise not to spam you!