Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, hosted an open day at its Ndabeni factory today 31 October 2025, bringing workers, government partners and guests together to showcase the organisation's work and to renew calls for stronger local procurement to support people with disabilities.

Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala thanked the factory employees for their commitment and recognised the important role they play in keeping production running, even during quieter periods. She said the event is designed to place the spotlight on workers and encouraged them to prepare for an increase in orders expected in the coming year. She also urged management to consider a special gesture for staff at the end of the year in recognition of their efforts.

Turning to government partners, the Deputy Minister praised the Western Cape Department of Health for its long-standing support and urged the Department of Education and other departments to strengthen their procurement from Supported Employment Enterprises. She noted that many departments open new facilities every year and have budgets for furniture, yet the factory does not always receive this work. She called on officials to prioritise local manufacturing to help create jobs for people with disabilities. She also encouraged organisers to consider sign language interpretation at future events to improve accessibility.

Chief Executive Officer Donald Nkadimeng, who joined the organisation recently, used the open day to introduce visitors to the history and purpose of Supported Employment Enterprises. The entity now runs a national chain of factories that produce textile, wood and steel products mainly for the public sector. The Western Cape has two factories, including the Epping factory and the Ndabeni site, where guests toured the textile and wood units and met workers on the production floor.

Nkadimeng said the open day formed part of an effort to raise awareness about the organisation's capabilities, noting that many potential clients remain unaware of what the factories can produce. Although the Department of Health is currently the biggest customer, he encouraged all organs of state, private businesses and households to consider placing orders.

Donald Nkadimeng said the factories are operating at around 30 percent capacity and could reach at least 70 percent with stronger demand. This growth would allow Supported Employment Enterprises to move closer to its potential of employing 3,000 people with disabilities. At present it employs just under 1,000.

A representative from the Western Cape Department of Health echoed the call for continued collaboration. The official praised the quality and reliability of the linen produced by the factories, which supply more than 500 health institutions across the country. The Department's linen management system, which tracks and audits supply, is regarded as one of the most effective in South Africa. Other provinces have visited the Western Cape to study how the province maintains consistent delivery and high standards.

The official also highlighted the broader impact of the partnership, noting that the laundries and factories play an important role in local employment and help uplift surrounding communities. A new linen depot is planned for the province and is expected to create additional jobs while improving distribution.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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