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May 14 2008 11:23:46:393AM  - (SA)  

Druk artikel   E-pos storie aan 'n vriend

As the brainchild of SME consultant and CSI specialist Cathy Wijnberg of Fetola Mmoho Consulting, the project is a longterm intervention designed to improve the economic viability of fifteen largely rural-based craft organisations countrywide.

The Legends project is part of the Old Mutual Product2Market Programme, which aim to assist small businesses to become sustainable and then link them with initiatives such as the Old Mutual Masisizane small business development fund.

Phase One of the Legends project focused on product development.

The aim is to create a range of fashion accessories, corporate gifts and home décor with a uniquely South African flavour, strong heritage, and ecologically aware themes.

The product development phase, managed and implemented by up-and-coming young product developer Nonku Lafuleni, runs concurrently with a programme of retail skills training and business interventions.

These are geared at increasing the competitiveness, profitability and efficiencies of the Legends producers, ensuring that they are able to meet the anticipated demand for the products they are producing.

Recently a series of workshops on costing and pricing and basic selling skills were held in Qwaqwa with the crafters and management of the two projects, and by all accounts they were a resounding success.

Further interventions in the form of a market access programme are planned, whereby outlets will actively be sourced for the products produced by the two projects.

Wijnberg says: “We received dozens of applications to join this programme, but what excited us about Thaba Blinds and Itshepeng was their diverse skills base, traditional craft techniques and their potential to have an impact at a real grassroots level within the Qwaqwa community.”

Founded in 2003 with support from the Department of Social Development and the Department of Sport, Arts, Science, Culture and Technology, Thaba Blinds is based in Phuthaditjhaba and currently provides skills training and employment to approximately twenty men and women from the surrounding areas.

Thaba Blinds makes an assortment of products using traditional grass weaving techniques, including trays, mats, blinds, bags, placemats and lampshades.

Their customers include hotels, B&Bs, interior decorators and also corporate gift buyers, including government.

Thaba Marketing Manager Mani Phuthi says: “There is a lot of poverty in our community, people are suffering.

“At Thaba, we are trying to instill some hope and create opportunities for our people.

“We have the crafting skills and equipment, but need help with getting regular orders and learning to operate like a proper business, as well as creating awareness about our project. We are so grateful to Old Mutual for this opportunity to build on the work we have been doing in our community, and will not let them down.”

Itshepeng Craft Centre has been running since 2000, and has received support from the Department of Arts and Culture, Ntsika and others.

Situated about 30 km outside Qwaqwa in rural Lejoaneng Village, the project makes a range of beautiful traditional products, including grass mats, brooms, hats, bags and baskets, as well as leather shoes and sandals.

They sell mainly to the local community, especially for weddings and traditional ceremonies.

Malefu Molodi who makes the leather shoes and sandals sold by the project, attended the recent Legends workshops, and said the whole experience was a real eye-opener as she learnt about how to price her products properly.

“I now have the confidence to work out what it costs to make my shoes, and how to calculate the right selling price. We are very proud to be part of this project, and I know that even though we face many challenges, we will succeed and grow from strength to strength,” she said.

According to Sandy Fouché of the Old Mutual Foundation, the OMF seeks to support sustainable growth in impoverished communities through its programmes focusing on education, Aids awareness, skills development, entrepreneurship and black economic empowerment.

“We are confident that the Legends Programme is adding value to the ongoing work of the foundation and resulting in both sustainable economic benefits for impoverished communities around the country, and the preservation and celebration of our heritage,” she says.

The coming months will see the completion of a range of commercial products, further business interventions and the development of retail channels and partnerships.

Wijnberg says: “The Legends project is for those with a vision of a better future for themselves and for their communities.

“We are excited to be working with projects like Thaba Blinds, Itshepeng and others all around the country, and are confident that our efforts will translate into better products, increased opportunities and genuine, sustainable economic empowerment at a grassroots level. Our goal is to change lives for the better, forever.”

For more information about the Legends Programme, call Wijnberg on 021-788-4603 or send an email to cwijnberg@fetolammoho.co.za

To learn more about Thaba Blinds, call Phuti on 082-592-2275 or send an email to info@thabablinds.co.za

Call Itshepeng Craft on 073-375-5923 (Malefu Molodi).

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