Ngezandla Zethu (With Our Hands) – Talking Beads

The aim of the Ngezandla Zethu centre is to alleviate poverty by job creation through training and skills development in the traditional craft of beading, while simultaneously promoting and retaining the community's culture from one generation to the next.  Through this training, participants are equipped with life skills, the knowledge and skill set to start their own businesses, and the ability to train others.  NGOs, government agencies and the private sector have allowed the project to access new local and international markets, and provide funding for the training of participants who previously had no means of generating an income. 

Ngezandla Zethu formed partnerships with Government Departments, the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and International Organisations.  The partnerships between Ngezandla Zethu and government agencies have created outlets and resources for both parties, such as the 150 educators, parents and school children the DoE asked to be trained using Ngezandla Zethu Staff.  Also, the DAC has provided support for exhibitions and orders products for various groups.  The DTI supports the efforts of Ngezandla Zethu through product promotion along with the provision of a banner, catalogues, a light box, and thousands of fliers.  Other government agencies have asked Ngezandla Zethu to provide gifts for events and dignitaries.     

Innovation

The approach to government has not been one of allotted cash funding, but of challenging government to provide assistance in terms of unused equipment, unused buildings, human resource development for their people from techicons, and opportunities to exhibit their art.  Ngezandla Zethu challenges the government to give them work, not handouts. 
 

Effectiveness

Since the inception of project the National Government has ordered               R500 000 worth of products while the Provincial Government has supported the organisation with an order amounting to R215 000.  Local government has also contributed with orders worth R16 000, and the provision of a building. 

Poverty Impact

A staff of 32 full-time teachers has trained 4 500 unemployed women.  These women now run small businesses who provide capacity for Ngezandla Zethu during big orders. An additional 500 women are currently being trained along with 40 disabled children, and 200 school children during school holidays. Training was also provided to 150 educators, parents and learners.  Salaries to producers amounted to R600 000 in 2004.  Many parents who could not pay school fees are now using the money from sales to pay the fees.

Sustainability

Ngezandla Zethu has received R500 000 in orders from National and Provincial Government Departments, and consistently generates income contributing to the organisation's sustainablity.

Replication

The project now operates on a national level in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.  The project has been replicated in seven provinces and a partnership between CreateSA, a creation of the MAPPSETA and the Department of Labour has resulted in a roll-out of learnerships.  Training teams have been invited to the North West and the Northern Cape.

Partnerships

• Departments of Mineral & Energy Affairs, Arts & Culture, Trade & Industry, Foreign Affairs, Housing, Education and Labour.
• Local Government
• Business Trust
• United Nations Development Programme
• Commonwealth Business Women’s Network
• Positive Women Network Project
• The Lesedi La Sechaba Project
   

Visit www.talkingbeads.co.za for more information