MEDIA RELEASE
DEPUTY MINISTER THABETHE LEADS A SMALL BUSINESS DELEGATION TO ATLANTA AND NEW MEXICO
The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) together with the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) as well as the Department of Communication (DoC) will form part of the DSBD creative industry led initiative to take locally manufactured craft products to the international markets.
South Africa has a permanent showroom in Atlanta which primarily showcases hand-made quality products from all the nine provinces depicting our diverse culture and heritage. According to Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, this year the department has supported about 10 crafters who will interact directly with the buyers and demonstrate their art at the showroom.
Minister of Communication, Ms Faith Muthambi and Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi are also part of the delegation.
The Department of Arts and Culture has been working closely with the Department of Small Business Development as they seek new ways to identify and empower crafters collectively to reach new heights. “Access to markets remains a fundamental challenge for our crafters hence the partnership with the Department of Small Business Development, we can certainly achieve more if we leverage on each other’s strengths and resources” exhumes Mabudafhasi.
The Department of Communication and Brand SA will ensure that this exceptional work that South Africa does abroad is shared with our people locally. It is important to profile our people and their work to demonstrate that we are truly moving South Africa forward.” said Muthambi
The team will be in Atlanta from 6-9 July and then leave for Santa Fe for the 10-12 July 2015.
About five (5) artists will participate at the folk art market in Santa Fe which is one the world’s greatest art market and attracts thousands and thousands of people across the globe.
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) which supported the Ibuyambo Performing Group to participate at the Sante Fe’ International Folk Art Market as the main act, will be represented by the Group COO, Ms Jodi Scholtz.
“These platforms are part of our efforts to create opportunities for our locally manufactured products and we must continue to open markets for our small to medium enterprises including cooperatives” adds Deputy Minister Thabethe.
Enquiries:
Noko Manyelo (Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development)
Tel: (012) 394 9966 / Mobile: 060 972 5221 / E-mail: nmanyelo@dsbd.gov.za
Peter Mbelengwa (Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture)
082 611 8197 / petermb@dac.gov.za
Mr Mishack Molakeng ( Spokesperson for the Minister of Communications)
Tel : (012) 473 0131 / Mobile: 082 469 3997 / E-mail: mishack@doc.gov.za
Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of The Department of Small Business Development
07 July 2015
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