The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), initiators of the South African Handmade Collection (SAHC) will once again participate at the Joburg Decorex that will be held at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand from 5 to 9 August 2011. The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Thandi Tobias-Pokolo will do a walkabout and visit crafters tomorrow, Friday, 5 August at 14h00.
The event aims at creating an enabling and supportive environment through which craft producers are able to continually grow and develop their business.
According to Nimrod Zalk, Deputy Director-General of the dti’s Industrial Development Division, the objectives of SAHC are to develop and maintain a uniquely and proudly South African Craft brand that stands out and promote South African handmade products nationally and internationally.
The SAHC also aims at promoting emerging craft enterprises especially those residing in rural areas to emerge as established enterprises through the process of being incubated on the provincial pavilion stand.
“Craft products complement tourism and provide a bridge between informal and formal employment. In addition, it provides innovation and design skills to other sectors such as clothing and textile, furniture and jewellery. The craft sector supports other national priorities such as B-BBEE, the empowerment of women, rural and urban development, small enterprise development, export promotion and local beneficiation of products,” said Zalk.
He also said that the dti will host a business to business breakfast networking session on 8 August with 17 international buyers, crafters and industry stakeholders.
SAHC celebrates the fusion of heritage with the contemporary, tradition with the imagination and creativity with business know-how and offer quality assurance and develop standards for the sector. Since 2007, when the brand was unveiled there has been an influx of South African craft into the European Union (EU), the USA, Canada and Australasia.
Enquiries:
Mamosa Dikeledi
Tel: 012 394 1680
Cell: 083 584 6856
E-mail: MDikeledi@thedti.gov.za
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
Department of Trade and Industry South African handmade collection to take part at the Decorex Johannesburg 2011
