Apparel Production in Swaziland: The Need for Industry Education

Abstract

Swaziland, located in southern Africa, is faced with a number of socio-economic challenges common to other Sub-Saharan nations. These challenges include the following: 1) a high rate of population growth, 2) an educational system seriously challenged by expanding needs for economic development, 3) insufficient Swazi participation within the economy (especially at managerial levels, which are dominated by representatives of foreign investors), and 4) significant unemployment. An exploratory study of existing Swazi apparel manufacturing businesses was conducted, in hopes of identifying key issues relevant to strengthening growth and employment in that industry. The results revealed that apparel production in Swaziland is characterized by small-to-medium sized, female-owned enterprises, housed in cramped facilities with inefficient equipment that produce only limited quantities of goods. Needs for practical training in production methods, technology, and business were noted by the business owners as being especially important to competitiveness and success.