The DE TIAMO story had humble beginnings as a community project on a farm estate in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands. On the estate were a number of matriculants whose work prospects during the covid lock-down looked very bleak. It wasn’t long before Debbie took them under her wing, training them to use sewing machines, making face masks that were in great demand. Under Debbie’s expert tutelage they soon mastered the necessary skills, becoming expert seamstresses who soon graduated from domestic to industrial machines allowing them to diversify from face masks to soft home-ware, branding tees, sweats and caps – ranges that were in demand all over South Africa. Part one of Debbie’s vision was realised. As she says of her dedicated and talented team of young ladies: “They have acquired not only sewing skills, but a working knowledge of the practicalities of the industry – from cutting room, stock control, production planning, operating sophisticated electronic machines and client relationships.
