Five women sew their way to first export deal

Members of WITAD’s sewing cluster. and workplace readiness.

The five women now convene at a rural production workshop, transforming their newly acquired skills into a functioning micro-enterprise. A traveller departing from Eswatini to Australia will personally transport the finished suits – a traditional person-to-person delivery model that allows them to fulfil their first export order without the complexity and cost of formal international shipping.

"We never imagined that suits we sewed in our community would be worn by young women in another country to help them get jobs," said Ncobile Masilela, one of the five. "It shows us that our

(Pic: WITAD) skills matter – not just for ourselves, but for other women too."

The income from this order will be reinvested to establish formal business compliance, including registration, tax compliance and quality control protocols, as well as working capital for materials.

While this first export order to Australia is a remarkable achievement, scaling beyond a single contract into sustained international trade will demand significant additional steps.

First, formal business registration is essential. The women currently operate as an informal collective. To contract with larger corporate clients or access trade finance, they will need to register either as a cooperative or a private company. This unlocks the ability to open business bank accounts, issue invoices and protect themselves legally.

Second, quality certification and consistency will become non-negotiable. International buyers, particularly institutional ones, typically require demonstrated adherence to production standards, consistent sizing, and reliable turnaround times. The women may need to invest in basic quality control documentation and sample approval processes before larger orders are placed.

Third, shipping and logistics present a steep hurdle. The current person-toperson delivery model is creative but not scalable for regular exports from Eswatini to Australia – a distance of more than 10 000 kilometres. To truly export, they will need to navigate freight forwarding, customs documentation, export permits from Eswatini authorities, and import clearance in Australia. Partnering with a logistics aggregator or a government trade promotion agency could reduce this learning curve.

Fourth, working capital and production capacity must grow in tandem. International orders often require purchasing fabric and supplies weeks or months before payment is received. Without access to microloans or trade credit, the women risk being unable to accept larger contracts. Their production model may also need to expand beyond five people to meet volume demands. Fifth, market intelligence and sales capacity will determine whether this Australian contract becomes a oneoff or a sustainable export business. Understanding pricing, competitor analysis, customer preferences, and contract negotiation – skills distinct from sewing – will be critical. Mentorship from export-ready small businesses or business development services could bridge this gap.

Finally, digital presence and payment systems are foundational. While their work was initially noticed online, a professional website or social media portfolio, combined with the ability to receive international payments via bank transfer or digital platforms, will be necessary for future clients. Exporting to Australia also means navigating currency exchange, international banking fees and potential tax treaties.

The women have already proven their craftsmanship and initiative. With continued support – including web-listing of their products and facilitated trade exhibition participation – they are positioned to transform their collective into a registered enterprise. But the journey from a single export order to a sustainable international business will require deliberate investment in systems, skills and partnerships across continents.