Dreams for Africa chair sold

THE roving Dreams for Africa Chair, which traveled the country and spent a few weeks in eShowe, has been sold to a private buyer for R85 000.

The funds raised from the sale of the chair will benefit the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT).

Currently, more than 350 women impacted by HIV/Aids from impoverished communities across the Valley of 1000 Hills generate an income from beading, sewing and crafts through HACT’s Woza Moya income-generating project.

The shop sells work on behalf of other self-help projects, non-profit organisations and local entrepreneurs, which in turn supports a further 650 crafters from across KZN.

The new craft centre will increase this impact and create many more jobs and income possibilities.

Voted the most beautiful object in South Africa at the Design Indaba, the chair is being exhibited at the Longmynd Gallery, along with photographs depicting the chair and people who have sat in it, in various unusual contexts and locations around the world.

Its sale marks the fulfilment of a dream envisaged by Woza Moya manager, Paula Thomson, when the chair was first exhibited at the 2011 Design Indaba in Cape Town.

She said, ‘I lay in bed one night and dreamt that a group of women, impacted by poverty and HIV/Aids, could create enough money from selling the Dreams for Africa chair to build a big, spacious craft centre to replace the current one, which is cramped and bursting at the seams.

‘From this craft centre, they could generate income to feed their families, and empower themselves and many others.

‘This dream is now becoming a reality with the sale of the chair. We are all very excited and moved by this news,’ she said.

The colourful, hand-beaded chair has enabled ordinary people and celebrities alike to dream about future possibilities for themselves, and for South Africa, whilst seated on the chair.

On its journey, the chair raised more than R500 000 towards training and employment-generating projects run by Woza Moya.