Media Release: Garden Route Skills Mecca Explores Partnership with David Tlale Academy

 23 July 2026

The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), which forms part of Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) flagship programmes, is set to expand skills development opportunities for unemployed youth following a strategic engagement with the David Tlale Academy to explore a collaborative partnership focused on the textile and fashion industry.

On Wednesday, 22 July 2026, a meeting, led by the Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu, brought together renowned South African fashion designer David Tlale, representatives from the David Tlale Academy, ABSA, and Member of the National Assembly, Major Sokopo, who coordinated the engagement.

The discussions focused on establishing a partnership that will provide unemployed young people in the Garden Route District with access to specialised training, industry exposure, entrepreneurship opportunities, and career pathways within the textile and fashion value chain, including fashion design, garment manufacturing, and artisan-related occupations.  The objectives of the partnership are aligned to the GRDM Growth and Development Strategy and anchored through the implementation clusters. The programme will lead to innovation, enterprise development and employment opportunities within the textile industry.

ABSA, an existing partner of the David Tlale Academy, currently supports approximately 120 beneficiaries through its skills development initiatives. “The proposed partnership with the Garden Route Skills Mecca will build on this success by uniting government, the private sector, and industry leaders to address youth unemployment through skills development and economic empowerment,” said Thembani Loliwe, GRDM Strategic Manager.

During the meeting, David Tlale presented the Academy’s vision and outlined opportunities for collaboration with the Garden Route Skills Mecca, Economic Development and Tourism Section. Tlale highlighted the important link between agriculture and the textile industry, explaining how agricultural products such as natural fibres provide the foundation for textile manufacturing and fashion production. He encouraged the partners to explore opportunities across the entire value chain, enabling young people to build careers in fashion, manufacturing, design, production, and entrepreneurship. The proposal was welcomed in principle by GRDM, as it aligns with the goals of the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy and the Garden Route Skills Mecca to develop skills, promote entrepreneurship, and create sustainable employment opportunities across the district.

Caption fltr:  Major Sokopo – Member of the National Assembly, Phumla Hobe-Yabo – Absa Citizenship Project Specialist and David Tlale – South African fashion designer.

The GRDM Tourism Section also took part in the discussions, recognising the close connection between tourism and the fashion and textile industry. A vibrant local fashion sector enhances the visitor experience through cultural events, fashion shows, locally produced apparel, and authentic craft products, while creating opportunities for designers, manufacturers, artisans, and entrepreneurs. The proposed partnership therefore has the potential to support both skills development and tourism-led economic growth by promoting locally designed and manufactured products as part of the Garden Route’s unique visitor offering.

The parties agreed to work towards the conclusion of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which will formalise the partnership and provide a framework for its implementation. “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to harness the expertise of the David Tlale Academy, the financial and developmental support of ABSA, and the coordinating role of the Garden Route Skills Mecca and Economic Development and Tourism to equip unemployed youth with industry-relevant skills. It also reinforces the Garden Route District Municipality’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that drive inclusive economic growth, support local industries, and create sustainable livelihoods for the people of the Garden Route,” Loliwe conclude.

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