The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) joined forces with Disability Workshop Development Enterprise (DWDE) to launch the Ukwakana School Uniform Design Competition for 2009/2010. Other associations are Danske Handicaporganisationer, International Labour Organization, CTFC, Clotex, SBN Cotton Mills and Shumisano.
This Cape Town based pilot project is the brainchild of Ukwakana, a group of women with disabilities from Gugulethu, Khayelitsha and Langa who share a common trait; to be independent, self sustaining businesswomen in charge of their own financial future. The competition invited all upcoming designers in the Western Cape who have a passion for community development to participate.
A new line of school uniforms for primary and high school learners in the Western Cape province, starting in the Gugulethu area, will be designed. It provides a good opportunity for participation by as many outstanding designers as possible to promote innovative and original creations. The school wear by the community for the communities will eventually be affordable, with the emphasis on high quality material, and will address sustainability in creating work opportunities for this cooperative venture.
The designs for the uniform will be manufactured by the Ukwakana Primary Sewing Cooperative which has officially been in existence since 2009, and there will be ongoing recruitment and training at the Ukwakana Primary Sewing Project. The intellectual property rights (patents, registered designs, etc.) in respect of all designs submitted in the competition remain with DWDE and the rights to produce the school uniforms will remain with DWDE. Ten finalists will be announced shortly and models will be identified to exhibit the garments at the show.
Read more about the criteria, judges, prizes and application forms on www.dwde.co.za
Contact:
Dominique Brand
Tel: 021 674 6139
Lizahn Claasen
Tel: 021 483 9688
Ukwakana School Uniform Design Competition
Province
