Article provided by Not I But We NPC
Stitching lives back together.
When people think about human trafficking or gender-based violence, they often picture the moment someone is rescued. But for many survivors, that is only the beginning of a much longer journey.
One of the greatest challenges survivors face after leaving a safe house is finding stable employment. Without an income, many remain vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. While the high unemployment rate creates barriers for many South Africans, survivors often face even greater obstacles to entering the labour market.
This is the reality that led to the founding of Not I But We.
Based in Cape Town, Not I But We is a social enterprise that creates long-term employment opportunities for survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. Through sewing skills training, stable employment, and a trauma-informed workplace, survivors are given the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety, dignity, and community.
Our vision has always been simple: employment should be about far more than earning a salary. Meaningful work can restore confidence, create purpose, and offer the stability needed to begin building a new future.
Our values have been deeply influenced by Christians like Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms. These examples have encouraged us to build an organisation where relationships come before productivity and where people are never defined by the trauma they have experienced.
Since opening our doors, Not I But We has continued to grow. What began as a small sewing programme has developed into a social enterprise employing survivors who produce high-quality bags, clothing and accessories that are sold locally and internationally.
This week marks another exciting milestone. Four new survivors are beginning their sewing skills training, while three women from the previous cohort are taking the next step by starting paid internships.
Growth has also enabled us to expand our team and increase sales of our survivor-made products despite challenging economic conditions. Every product purchased helps create another employment opportunity and allows more survivors to move towards independent, self-determined lives.
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Date published: 15/07/2026
Feature image: Provided by Not I But We NPC
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