Welcome to Township!

Township: a Story of Enterprise and Empowerment

What began as a conversation with women in the townships around Cape Town, has become a dynamic Social Enterprise. We have built a thriving network of 7 worker-owned sewing co-operatives supporting around 70 women and their families; and it is still growing.

It is the brainchild, or more accurately, the ‘heart child’ of Nicole-Marie Iresch, who recognised the energy and potential of township women and she is into her second decade of tireless work to give them meaningful opportunity and translate and transport their spirit and creativity out into the rest of the world.

Once described as “a partnership between Richard Branson and Mother Theresa”, we put Township’s success down to its solid foundations. It is not just a business, it is not just a non-profit organisation, it is not just a network of co-operatives – it is a unique partnership between all three and harnesses the focused power and talent of each cog in the wheel.

To find out more about what we do, the people, the products, the results and how each sister organisation plays its part in our overall goal of enterprise development, read on and explore this site.