The Story of Stitch Wise and It's Innovations

The company initially started out in a small office with 2 ladies manufacturing crafts on Western Deep Levels near Carletonville.  Natalie soon identified a need to train paraplegic men, injured through mining accidents, new skills.  A six week sewing course was successfully developed and soon a handful of men undergoing training became a roomful of men, and a roomful of men became a commercial proposition.

A concern for debilitating mining injuries led to research resulting in the development of backfill bags that are able to withstand enormous pressures, improved percolation and support which are used to fill the chasms left by underground blasting.

The company employs about 100 people, with almost a third being paraplegic men as well as having predominantly female management.

Recognition that their staff is not disabled, but differently-abled, is paramount to Stitch Wise’s philosophy, and great pride is taken in the company’s empowerment programmes, training, social upliftment and contribution to the development of South Africa’s economy.

Gold Fields South Africa became aware of our work and recognized the value that Stitch Wise could bring to its programme for disabled employees.  A manufacturing unit called Paragon was started.

Stitch Wise's core mindset is to identify opportunities to design unique, user friendly mining products which become a value proposition - enhancing safety, saving costs and improving productivity.

The underground backfill suppot system has now been perfected.  The latest innovation; Modular Backfill bags, is a system using layers of mesh within the backfill tailings/slurry known as reinforced earth.  It is a safer, more user friendly product withstanding great underground pressure, freeing up shaft time and reducing electricity costs and worker fatigue.

Stitch Wise has been widely recognized for their beliefs and efforts.  With numerous nominations and prestigious awards, the latest being Schwab Foundation Award for Social Entrepreneurship and the Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Award for Economic development in Africa.

"Our business is our vision at work!"