Tau Bags, Tweeling

Tau Bags is manufacturing business based in Tweeling at Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality. The business manufactures different sizes and types of bags for municipalities and the communities in Tweeling, Reitz, Frankfort, Petrus Steyn and for some of the local farmers based at Dihlabeng local municipality.

The enterprise uses polypro material and manufactures bags which are used for packaging fertilisers, animal feed, and bags for maize meal. The bags are manufactured in various sizes: 25 kg, 50 kg, 60 kg (jute bags) and 80 kg.

The project is based in Tweeling, some 30 km from Frankfort. The business initially employed two women and after the Foundation development grant, an additional five jobs were created. The Foundation grant provided for eight industrial sewing machines and a compressor. The customer base has increased, especially during the harvest season. The business services markets as far as North West.

Sewing bags for packaging

Vehicle Testing and Millennium, Bethlehem

Vehicle Testing Millennium is based in Bethlehem and falls under the Dihlebeng local municipality, which is part of Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality.  The business services all makes of vehicles, testing them for issuing of roadworthiness certificates.

Like all new businesses, it started with limited local market support, operating from small premises. The demand from the market necessitated the business to move to bigger premises. After the Foundation’s grant, the business moved to bigger premises on a rental basis and later it purchased the business premises. This was an indication of sound business management to reinvest capital into the business.

The Foundation grant provided for equipment, including tools and vehicle testing apparatus for the workshop. The business had five employees before the Foundation’s intervention and subsequently seven additional jobs were created. Vehicle Testing Millennium has contracts with various government departments; and provides a service to local farmers and the community. A business director and four employees gained their business experience while working for the vehicle testing division in Bethlehem.

Vehicle testing area