On March 2, 2025, Clothe-Over, in partnership with Emma Beat Stores, Themba Psychological Services, and Akani Talks, successfully hosted its first outreach program of the year. The event, themed "Psychology Meets Clothing Manufacturing Meets Nature Conservation," was designed to educate and empower the community on mental health, business development, and environmental conservation.
Despite minor logistical challenges at the start, the event was a resounding success, with participants actively engaging in discussions, learning sessions, and interactive workshops.
Held at a local church, the outreach program focused on mental well-being, financial literacy, and environmental responsibility. The event began with an insightful presentation by Tinyiko Ndlovu, who introduced the importance of psychology in daily life and its role in personal and community growth.
To enhance engagement, attendees were divided into three focused learning groups:
✅ Adults – Led by Vukosi Ndlovu & Trust Manzini, covering topics on Money Psychology and financial decision-making.
✅ Youth – Led by Tinyiko Ndlovu & Khantsile Fakude, discussing peer pressure, bullying, time management, mental health challenges, and teenage pregnancy.
✅ Children – Led by Zenia Lekhule & Charmaine Mnisi, focusing on developmental growth, bullying awareness, and confidence-building exercises.
Dr. Manzini concluded the psychology segment with an engaging Q&A session, ensuring that all concerns and questions from the audience were addressed.
The second part of the event highlighted the importance of environmental conservation and ethical clothing disposal, with a presentation from Emanuel Sithole, founder of Emma Beat Stores and Clothe-Over.
🌿 The Environmental Impact of Textile Waste – How discarded clothing contributes to pollution and landfills.
♻️ Sustainable Clothing Disposal – Encouraging responsible clothing donations and repurposing rather than burning or discarding garments.
💡 Clothe-Over’s Mission – Transforming textile waste into eco-friendly products such as fabric bricks, tiles, cushion stuffing, and repurposed garments.
Emanuel emphasized the importance of seeking opportunities for funding, employment, and skills development in industries related to sustainability and textile recycling. He also encouraged attendees to donate unused clothing instead of disposing of them improperly, as Clothe-Over is committed to ensuring these items are either repurposed or redistributed to those in need.
Dr. Manzini further explained how a clean and well-preserved environment positively impacts mental health and community well-being.
A key segment of the outreach focused on career development and funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs. The church’s pastor shared insights into existing projects aimed at job creation for unemployed youth, including those with disabilities.
💼 Skills Development & Training Programs – Helping young people access vocational and entrepreneurial training in industries such as sustainable fashion, recycling, and conservation.
💰 Business Grants & Mentorship – Providing financial support and professional guidance for those looking to start or expand their businesses.
🏭 Small Business Development Support – Assisting entrepreneurs with resources, market access, and funding connections.
🔹 Job Placement & Workforce Readiness Initiatives – Helping unemployed youth gain experience in sustainability, conservation, and ethical business operations.
The pastor also discussed the church’s farming project and carpentry training center, aimed at providing skills and employment opportunities for local youth. Clothe-Over committed to supporting these initiatives by offering guidance on structuring businesses, accessing funding, and integrating sustainable practices into their operations.
Additionally, concerns were raised about high costs associated with certain industry-related training programs, to which Emanuel suggested exploring more affordable or fully-funded alternatives in the region.
The event concluded with a reflection session over lunch, where organizers reviewed the successes of the day and areas for improvement in future outreach efforts.
📌 Upcoming Actions:
✔️ Strengthen partnerships with churches, schools, and community organizations to promote sustainability.
✔️ Increase awareness campaigns on textile waste reduction and responsible clothing disposal.
✔️ Expand Clothe-Over’s collection and recycling operations to process more textile waste.
✔️ Continue connecting youth and entrepreneurs to training, funding, and employment opportunities.
This outreach event was a powerful first step in 2025, setting the foundation for more impactful engagements throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who participated—together, we are creating a more sustainable future!
🌿 Join the Movement! Donate, volunteer, or collaborate with Clothe-Over to help reduce textile waste and create economic opportunities for local communities.
📩 For partnership inquiries or donations, contact: info@clotheover.co.za