Access to the market. Finally !
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Craftspeople from the townships rely heavily on tourists to sell their creations: glass beadwork, paintings, ceramics, and souvenirs. It’s a daily struggle to gain visibility among tourist customers, as renting a prime location is financially out of reach.
The "Unshackled Craft Co-operative" and its 11 members received support from ACT after the COVID crisis, which severely impacted the country. This support enabled them to showcase and sell their work on Robben Island, Cape Town's number-one tourist attraction and the grim prison where Nelson Mandela and other notable political figures were held.
ACT provided microloans to co-op members for purchasing necessary raw materials and covering transportation from the townships.
Negotiations with the National Museum secured the best spot along the island's visitor route, and logistical support was given for purchasing a sales shelter, completing the initiative.
The "Unshackled Craft Co-operative" and its 11 members received support from ACT after the COVID crisis, which severely impacted the country. This support enabled them to showcase and sell their work on Robben Island, Cape Town's number-one tourist attraction and the grim prison where Nelson Mandela and other notable political figures were held.
ACT provided microloans to co-op members for purchasing necessary raw materials and covering transportation from the townships.
Negotiations with the National Museum secured the best spot along the island's visitor route, and logistical support was given for purchasing a sales shelter, completing the initiative.
For the 11 members of the cooperative, this fantastic opportunity changed everything.
ACT is proud to support them and to witness the progress of this remarkable and ever-evolving project, which promises to provide stability to an increasing number of members.
ACT is proud to support them and to witness the progress of this remarkable and ever-evolving project, which promises to provide stability to an increasing number of members.
Vuyo Kezi, Chairlady of the "Unshackled Craft" cooperative,
shares her thoughts on the benefits of the Robben Island project.
shares her thoughts on the benefits of the Robben Island project.
An exceptional project:
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With a PhD in social sciences, Rethabile turned her dream into reality: providing top-quality education for young girls within the township itself. Alcohol and drug abuse, overcrowded housing, and violence create unbearable conditions for many families.
Thanks to her unwavering determination, Rethabile—who was born in a township herself—has made it possible for 160 young girls to attend the Montessoori-method Molo Mhlaba ("Hello Life!" in Xhosa) school.m Her bold vision: to open 10 new schools in 10 years!
ACT is committed to supporting this groundbreaking initiative for the long term.
We need your help to provide quality education to these young girls who are eager to learn!
Thanks to her unwavering determination, Rethabile—who was born in a township herself—has made it possible for 160 young girls to attend the Montessoori-method Molo Mhlaba ("Hello Life!" in Xhosa) school.m Her bold vision: to open 10 new schools in 10 years!
ACT is committed to supporting this groundbreaking initiative for the long term.
We need your help to provide quality education to these young girls who are eager to learn!
The new Montclair Campus: land has been acquired, building permit granted, and the first structure completed.
Mgadi Art Project
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Mgadi, an established artist with notable recognition in Cape Town, lives and works in the township of Khayelitsha. His project aims to offer introductory art classes to children aged 7 to 14.
Through this, he demonstrates (a) that it is possible to make a living from art, and (b) to provide children with a creative activity after school, keeping them off the streets. ACT steps in to cover the rent for the container where the classes are held, purchase basic materials, and contribute to the promotion of the classes to parents. |
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The key to gaining freedom:
Learning design creation and sewing skills. |
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The "YesWeCan" program focuses on teaching basic sewing techniques and maintaining a network of seamstresses. This simple yet effective model enables women in vulnerable or difficult situations to gain financial independence.
Once they complete their training, participants receive the materials needed to make bags, document holders, and other simple yet high-quality items, which are sold to universities, conference centers, and post-graduate training institutes.
Each participant owns her own sewing machine, often purchased through a microloan. YesWeCan provides the raw materials and handles the marketing. The income generated from production (paid directly into each individual's personal account) allows them to achieve financial independence and pay for their children's school fees.
ACT contributes to the growth of "YesWeCan" by reselling the creations from this unique network of women who have become entrepreneurs.
Once they complete their training, participants receive the materials needed to make bags, document holders, and other simple yet high-quality items, which are sold to universities, conference centers, and post-graduate training institutes.
Each participant owns her own sewing machine, often purchased through a microloan. YesWeCan provides the raw materials and handles the marketing. The income generated from production (paid directly into each individual's personal account) allows them to achieve financial independence and pay for their children's school fees.
ACT contributes to the growth of "YesWeCan" by reselling the creations from this unique network of women who have become entrepreneurs.
