E Thabethe: One of a Kind Arts Trade Show opening

8 August 2007

Mr Brian Whitaker, CEO of Business Trust
Her Excellency Ambassador Mvume, South African (SA) Ambassador to
Thailand
SA Consul General from Los Angeles (LA) Janet Ndhlovu
SA Consul General from New York, Ms Fikile Magubane
SA Consul General from Toronto, Ms F Nojozi
Gauteng MEC of Arts and Culture, Barbara Creecy
Mr Lawrence Bilikwana, Deputy Director of Tourism Enterprise Programme
Programme Director
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentleman

Good afternoon

August is a significant month in the history of South Africa and South
Africans. It is therefore fitting that the "One of a Kind" trade show with more
than 85% black women from rural areas as exhibitors, takes place during August,
our National Women's Month. It is a fact that black women in particular, bore
the brunt of apartheid social engineering. It is mainly women and again, black
women who are the backbone of the Second Economy.

It is therefore our duty to support programmes that will economically uplift
mainly black women from rural areas. In our President's 2007 State of the
Nation Address he said, I quote "none of the great social problems we have to
solve is capable of resolution outside the context of the creation of jobs and
eradication of poverty."

The One of a Kind Arts Trade Fair is one of the interventions by the
Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) to make a difference in the lives of
communities who still do not enjoy the benefits that come with a growing
economy. The dti is not alone in this intervention and this trade fair is proof
that a public-private partnership can be successful. In 2004 we joined hands
with the Tourism Enterprise Programme, the Johannesburg Tourism Company and
Decorex SA to launch One of a Kind. We therefore thank those partners who are
still with us, making a positive difference to those communities represented by
the crafters here today.

In my 2007 dti Budget speech I quoted the Freedom Charter saying, "the
people shall share in the country's wealth." I further quote, "all people shall
have equal rights to trade where they choose, to manufacture and to enter all
trades, crafts and professions." One can confidently say that this trade fair
is such an opportunity for communities to practice their craft and to trade
where they choose.

South African crafters are known for making crafts of high quality, this was
evident when I attended the recent World Folk Art Craft Market in Santa Fe, New
Mexico, United States of America (USA). Like last year, some crafters sold all
their products on day one of the trade show, goods priced in dollars, may I
add! What we, as government have to do is provide the support to make it
possible for more crafters to earn a living from their craft.

This trade show contributes directly to the development of Black Economic
Empowerment and Women Economic Empowerment, as mentioned 85% of crafters here
are black women from rural areas. I am also pleased to have learnt that
approximately 30% of crafters exhibiting here are young people. The
transformation of the South African economy will not be complete without the
meaningful participation of greater numbers of our people, especially women,
youth and people with disabilities, many who are inhabitants of the Second
Economy.

The craft sector together with tourism is one of the six sectors identified
in the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) our
government's intervention strategy led by Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Creative industry is one of the key labour intensive sectors prioritised by
government to create new businesses and massive job opportunities, owing to its
very low barriers of entry and the lowest comparative cost of creating a single
job.

The creative industry, over the past five years has contributed an average
growth rate of eight percent, which is attributed to the growth in tourism.
South African tourism statistics for 2006 show a 14,5% increase in tourism
arrivals compared with 2005 figures. Over six million people visited South
Africa between January and September last year alone and this has had a
positive impact on the creative industry.

This can have great spin-offs for crafters since new markets can be accessed
and new networks established. It is here where the dti together with its
different agencies has to provide support to the creative agencies to assist
that our crafts are globally competitive. With the support from the dti, craft
products are designed, refined and produced, packaged and branded according to
benchmarked quality standards by craft producers from often the most remote
areas. This ensures a higher return for the craft producers and increased value
to end-users.

It is not only support in preparation for the global market that must be
provided, since most of our crafters reside in rural areas of our country it is
agencies such as the South African Micro Apex Fund and the Small Enterprise
Development Agency (Seda) that has to give support to our craft community. It
is also our co-operatives and Gender and Women's Empowerment Units who must
work as a cohesive unit in the provision of services to our craft
communities.

Of course with South Africa being the host country for the 2010 Soccer World
Cup we are going top see an even greater influx of tourists. Are our crafters
geared up to meet the challenge of a greater demand on their products? There is
a task team that includes the dti that is looking at how small business can be
the beneficiaries of the boom expected by the 2010 World Cup. Are we as
crafters, 'battle ready'? I would like to see massive information campaigns by
the dti and our partners here, reaching our craft communities to inform our
craftspeople how to access the opportunities that this significant world
sporting event will bring. If we do not, then it's a case of 'walala wasala'
and we would have done our communities, especially those in rural areas a grave
injustice.

To conclude, the future of this industry is much brighter. Government in
partnership with all the stakeholders in the industry is fully geared to take
the industry to greater heights in terms of development and growth. Indeed, the
growth of the sector will have a positive impact on the economies of our
provinces and local areas, particularly rural economies. Developed, the sector
can contribute towards the reduction of the divide between the second and first
economy. On a lighter note, may "One of a Kind" create lasting memories to all
of you. To our exhibitors, may you make money and create more business
networks.

I thank you for listening.

Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
8 August 2007