Export breakthrough
for artists and crafters

Trainees in the Cato Manor Art and Craft project are already exporting their products to the international market.

In a major breakthrough for economic development, arts and crafts produced in Cato Manor are being exported to international markets.
The Cato Manor Zululand Merchandising Craft Centre was started six months ago at the Lockhat Building in Bellair Road under the guidance of the Inanda-based Sizimisele Development Trust and with funding from CMDA, EU and Unicity.
More than half of the products made at the Centre have been sent to the USA where they will be sold in major cities. Businesses based in the United Kingdom have also expressed an interest in supporting the project.
Proceeeds from the sale of the arts and crafts will be injected back into the project so that it becomes self-sustainable.
More than 80 women are being trained on how to produce art and craft products. The aim is to create employment opportunities and boost the local economy.
"When the training is concluded the women are encouraged to establish co-operatives in order to co-ordinate and aid the production of crafts. Their training includes business management skills," said Maggie Dladla of Sizimisele Development Trust.
Trainees have been divided into sewing, plastic recycling, wool crotcheting and beadwork groups. Pottery, wire weaving and basket making will soon be introduced so that men will also benefit from the project.
The Department of Education & Culture has also provided training in garment making, fabric painting and beadwork.
The Centre also houses a community art project which is intended to provide a platform for local artists to improve their skills and generate an income from their art.

Time of the writer festival
During 2002, the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) based at the University of Natal (Durban) will continue to provide a diverse range of contemporary cultural innovations in the form of four major festivals. This year’s programme opens with the Time of the Writer, the international writers festival, which takes place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, University of Natal, Durban, from March 11-16.
Time of the Writer will be followed by the Poetry Africa festival, South Africa’s leading film festival the Durban International Film Festival, and the Jomba! Contemporary Dance Festival.
Using Migrating Words as its central theme the Time of the Writer festival celebrates the power of literature to transcend borders and this year features over 20 participants from 15 different countries.
The inclusion of some of the world’s most powerful social and political commentators promises to provide opportunities for invigorating debate. African representation is especially strong and particularly the presence of pre-eminent women writers of the continent. The CCA is honoured to host Nobel prize winner Nadine Gordimer (South Africa) whose works continue to reflect the unique tones and dispositions of South African society.
Much-loved South African performer and writer, Gcina Mhlophe has been entertaining young and old alike for years with her unmistakable story-telling style, and her sharp wit and fascinating insights into the powerful and magical world of the African oral tradition will make her appearances a popular choice during the festival.
Other contributors in the womens contingent include Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (Nigeria), Professor of English at the University of Lagos, Ken Bugul of Senegal, Egyptian activist Nawal el Saadawi and Ama Ata Aidoo (Ghana).

Bake-for-Profit
changes lives

Tholinhlanhla Mlaba with one of the wedding cakes
baked by her students during the 14 week course.

If we had to nominate anyone for the community builder of the year award, Tholinhlanhla Mlaba would come tops. She has single-handedly changed the lives of more than 389 poor people since the Bake-For-Profit programme was launched in June 2000.
Tholi, as she is known, gave up a job as a teacher because of the "First-in-last-out" policy that was adopted by the Department of Education. The 28-year-old was left out on a limb but was fortunate to get a job as a cleaner with one of Durban’s leading public relations companies. It was by chance that she narrated her story to one of the company’s managers and she soon landed a job as public relations officer with the company.
"I had moved from a secure job as a teacher to a cleaner who got paid R400 a month to a public relations officer. It was all happening too fast. I was catapulted into an all-white company and had to earn respect by breaking my back. Just when I was finding my feet the person who had found the job for me left the company to join Gen Foods. When a post became available she told me to apply," reminisces Tholi.
With elementary training in baking, Tholi soon found herself training people in Cato Manor on the Bake-for-Profit programme. Since then she has trained more than 200 Cato Manor residents who are running mini bakeries from their kitchens.
The highlight of her Bake-for-Profit career was when a 65-year-old gardener was brought by his employer to enrol for the course. On graduation the employer gave the gardener R50 000 to set up a bakery. It was a just reward for 35 years of loyalty as a family gardener.
Perhaps closer to Cato Manor is the story of 23-year-old Philani Mtshali, a resident of Chesterville, who is setting up a bakery in Escort. Philani is cashing in on the shortage of bread supply in that part of the province. The bakery will create many employment opportunities for the locals.
"Success stories like these are what make me look forward to the next group because I know that someone in that group is going to carry the baton," she said.
Residents can join the course for only R100. At the end of the course trainees receive a recipe book, an apron, 10 kg flour, a bucket, measuring equipment and a Metro Cash & Carry buying card. Trainees can take whatever they bake and sell it while still attending the training. Participants attend once a week for 14 weeks.
Interested residents can phone Tholi on 261 8528.