Crafting their futures, one day at a time
'Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.' - Oliver Wendell Holmes
A GROUP of young women may be able to rewrite their futures, thanks largely to the Zikulise Community Upliftment Project and the National Arts Council (NAC) of SA.
This after they were chosen to participate in a 40-day course on textile art and crafting and business management skills.
In addition to the technical skills training, the beneficiaries also participated in a 20-day incubation phase where, under the guidance and mentorship of Zikulise, they put into practice what they had learnt, thereby allowing each individual to explore their own creativity.
‘It is exciting to see how the trainees are combining the techniques they learnt by adding value to the products they make, resulting in unique marketable items,’ said head of training, Louisa Jury.
One of the trainees, Snenhlanhla Mtshali said that her beautiful beaded products were already in demand.
‘I have even received orders. Without the training from Zikulise I wouldn’t have had these skills and the opportunity to make money.’
Funding and support
The NAC grant in addition provided for training to beneficiaries from the Nawe Zifunze Disabled Association, based in Mzingazi, with Foskor, a long-standing partner of Zikulise’s coming on board by providing transport to and from the Zikulise Centre for the beneficiaries.
In September the group were very fortunate to be included in a 3-day grass weaving training workshop organised by the Habitat Foundation.
Two expert grass weavers from Thailand were in South Africa and they facilitated the training that took place at Zikulise using mainly Vetiver grass grown locally.
Sonto Ngema, one of the trainees, said it was so amazing having the ladies come all the way from Thailand to teach them.
‘They showed us how to make products from our home-grown Vetiver grass. I will definitely be selling the products I make,’ she said.
The items that were produced during these training sessions included products, such as bracelets, key-rings and earrings.
Julie Jonson, Executive Director said that Zikulise’s aim is to promote entrepreneurship amongst the unemployed.
‘We are thrilled with the progress that the beneficiaries are making,’ she said.
‘This is steering them towards being able to generate an income for themselves and become self-supporting.
‘Our wish is also to see them passing on their skills and knowledge to others in their communities as well as becoming future employers themselves.’
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