A Mother’s Legacy

Fourteen years ago, Myrtle Davis started her own business, Davis Clothing, initially under the carport of her house on the Cape Flats before moving to a unit in Ravensmead Business Park.  She successfully grew the business from a home industry into a viable small enterprise.  In 2012, she tragically passed away.  Carmy, Myrtle’s youngest daughter, and her father could not bear to sell her sewing machines.  Her dream for Davis Clothing had not been fully realised; it lingered.

Carmy Davis had grown up on her own path, studying a Bachelor’s degree in cost and management accounting at CPUT; first securing employment in the Finance department at Woolworth’s Head Office in Cape Town and then moving up into the Woolworths Foods business as a buyer.  She was all set for a better life in the big corporate world.  However, her mother’s legacy tugged not just at her rolled-up sleeves, but at her heart. In those silent sewing machines rested the potential and the spirit to gather women together in valuable employment to make top quality products; and, to empower them to change their stars for the benefit of their future generations.

Carmy became aware of the Woolworths Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme and its aim to remove barriers for emerging black and black women-owned businesses so that they could enter into the Woolworths supplier base.  Initial conversations with Lawrence Pillay, Woolworths Holdings’ Group Head of Sourcing led to engaging with Thilu Govender, Woolworths SA Head of Strategic Sourcing and his team; all of which ignited Carmy’s energy for finding the ways to bring Davis Clothing back to life. She sought out Greg McDowell, the CEO of Suzi Products, a 50-year veteran business in SA’s clothing industry which had once outsourced some of their work to Myrtle’s Davis Clothing.  Greg was initially shocked that Carmy was considering leaving a fantastic job in Woolworths Foods to start her own business in the local clothing industry.  Over time, Carmy’s tenacity and commitment to her dream led Greg to believe that she had the drive and will to succeed.  He opened the door of Suzi Products to her. 

In July 2019, Carmy resigned from Woolworths to oversee the next chapter in the life of Davis Clothing.  With a small production line within Suzi Products’ factory, the business launched into manufacturing premium babywear that meets Woolworths’ stringent quality and child safety standards.  The seamstresses powered up the familiar whirr of the sewing machines, and a new era of self-sufficiency through teamwork began. 

The local clothing industry is tough business. As a single mother with two children, Carmy draws on the support of her father, her Woolworths and Suzi Products mentors and her team of women.  So far, they have survived the global pandemic disruptions.  The life of Davis Clothing is full of hope. Davis Clothing baby products have been sold successfully in Woolies stores since November 2019. Carmy has now developed new ranges which will be in stores soon.

The future of Davis Clothing is really exciting as they plan the next phase of their journey. New and expanded product ranges are in the pipeline. Work is also underway to enable the transition of Davis Clothing into their own premises in the New Year.  Most importantly, Carmy’s vision of creating more jobs and empowering more women from the community is well on its way to being realised.

• Davis Clothing currently employs 14 woman who live in the Elsies River and Bishop Lavis area, which equates to 70 people supported through livelihoods derived from the business
• Davis Clothing’s initial babywear range comprised of 100% cotton bibs and beanies that range from premature up to 12 – 18 months.  All fabrics are sourced locally and have Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) accreditation.
• Davis Clothing’s first year’s output is on track to be 47,830 units and this is projected to grow over 150% to 120,418 units by 2022.

Suzi Products has assisted the revitalised Davis Clothing with:

 - Business mentoring

- Factory space and access to all its on-site facilities such as the canteen and lockers
- Machinery including the metal detector essential for supplying Woolworths’ babywear
- Mechanical back-up
- Pattern making and cutting services
- Ordering of raw materials
- Administrative support
- Building a credit reference

Woolworths has assisted Davis Clothing with:

- Business mentoring via a dedicated project manager who ensures that the correct guidance is given for growth and success
- Designs
- Raw material sourcing
- An advance on first four orders
- Preferred payment terms; 7 days from date of invoice
- 3–5yr business planning and projection
- Inclusion in Woolworths’ Enterprise and Supplier Development programme which encompasses:

    - Business loan option with low interest
    - Preferred payment terms
    - Mentoring on business and product development
    - Long term supplier commitment from Woolworths
    - Participation in Woolworths’ localisation programme