Doctor Lubisi (34), founder and director of iSalute Wear, established in 2016, has rallied behind the Delmas First initiative as a platform that will significantly boost local small businesses. Lubisi shared his views on Delmas First with the Highveld Chronicle, describing it as “a collaborative effort among Victor Khanye residents to develop our town economically and in business areas where municipal assistance falls short.”
iSalute Wear, a beneficiary of the Delmas First investment fund aimed at supporting local businesses, specializes in selling t-shirts and manufacturing personal protective equipment, with a focus on work and school shoes. With the help of Delmas First, Lubisi announced plans to launch a factory in Delmas for iSalute safety wear boots and school shoes, a pioneering venture in the region. “The manufacturing factory for t-shirts and PPE will also be based here,” he confirmed. iSalute, based in the Botleng township, currently employs five local people and is set to introduce safety boots in the next two months, which will be fully manufactured locally, creating more jobs according to Lubisi.
“In addition to physical transformations, Delmas businesspeople are committed to empowering the local community through skills development, mentorship, and access to financing,” Lubisi further elaborated on the work of Delmas First. Addressing the over 400 attendees of the Delmas First developmental engagement session held on June 27 at Joheve Conference Centre in Delmas, co-founder Thabo Motau called on local businesses to buy from iSalute. Motau also committed to procuring a total of 500 t-shirts from iSalute in collaboration with Mayishe clothing brand. “We are calling on small businesses with bankable business ideas to bring their proposals for possible financial support,” Motau said.
The business not only focuses on selling to Delmas locals and businesses but also aims to expand the market beyond Delmas, a goal they have already begun to achieve.
