EMPOWERMENT

WORDS ANTON REssEl PICTURE MANOushkA kRAAl

AfricA!ignite
A growing rural development agency is using its extensive footprint to partner with communities so that they can participate fairly in the economy and society, and make their voices heard.

A voice for the voiceless

here is a slang term used to describe rural and isolated communities in South Africa, especially in KwaZuluNatal Far from the N2. This is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek reference to settlements or villages that are located a long way from the national highway, and is often said in relation to the kind of places that are isolated not just geographically but economically, socially and culturally as well. Sadly, nearly 20 years after the demise of apartheid and the skewed

allocation of resources that underpinned this evil system, little has changed for many of these forgotten towns and villages. They remain on the fringes, receiving hardly any services and even less infrastructural development, and opportunities for their inhabitants are few indeed. Many of these rural places are a treasure trove of African craft and art skills, heritage and culture. The last refuge of many of our most valuable cultural traditions, including the ancient

Members of a vibrant craft group supported by Africa!Ignite.

October 2012 Sawubona

129

Inspirational storyteller Gcina Mhlophe with rural youths.

development, field work, water and sanitation, cultural preservation and communications and media. CEO Wilna Botha is quick to acknowledge the tremendous value of these partnerships. Our ability to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of KwaZulu-Natals rural citizens, particularly its women and youths, is largely due to the strong support of like-minded funding and implementing partners, she explains. Partners include the National Development Agency, Trade and Investment KZN, the National Lottery, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Old Mutual Legends programme and many others. Multi-faceted approach Africa!Ignites success is built around a multi-faceted approach that seeks to address several crucial areas of need in the rural communities in which it operates. Firstly, there is a strong focus on enterprise development and the support of rural entrepreneurs through training, capacity building, distribution and marketing services. The organisation is especially active in craft, a sector with low barriers to entry and huge potential for income generation, and over 1 000 rural crafters are currently supported. For rural Zulu women, craft is the first logical entry into the economy, since they use skills that they learnt from their mothers and grandmothers, dont need specialist equipment and can create craft products while tending their homesteads and looking after their families, explains Bongiwe Mlangeni, Africa!Ignites passionate craft production co-ordinator. The craft production side is supported by a team of marketers who promote the work produced through an on-line shop, trade fairs, participation in conferences and through corporate gifting channels. In 2010/2011, over R2 million was paid out to crafters across the province, making a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of rural women. One such woman is Maureen MaJiyane Mahlinza, who was able

Marlon Nero

I interact with rural crafters from every corner of our province. I am inspired by the fact that I can contribute to changing their lives for the better, and provide them with work to support themselves and their families. Bongiwe Mlangeni, production co-ordinator

art of African storytelling, most of them are mired in poverty. What these marginalised communities need is a voice, a champion to help them develop and expose their gifts and take their rightful place in the world. In Africa!Ignite, they may well have found that champion. Progress through partnerships Africa!Ignite was established in 2007 by MiET Africa, a leading southern African education development agency based in KwaZulu-Natal, to pursue community development work complementary to MiET Africas focus on schools and formal education. Since inception Africa!Ignite has expanded rapidly across the region, thanks to a philosophy of partnering with like-minded organisations to increase impact. Today, the organisation has access to a unique footprint of 120 development nodes across KwaZuluNatal through which it rolls out its comprehensive programmes in enterprise

Val Adamson

A Langazela cushion cover.

Val Adamson

A reversible shopping bag.

130

Sawubona October 2012

to build a new home as a result of the income she received through producing craft items for Africa!Ignite. The 63 year old has been her familys sole breadwinner since her husband developed epilepsy. Now I just need a few more orders so I can reinforce the roof, and my house is done! she says proudly. A voice for the voiceless Income generation is just one of the areas in which Africa!Ignite champions the cause of the rural disenfranchised. Apart from their support programmes for craft, tourism, retail (including a network of WOWZULU marketplaces across the province) and other enterprise development, the organisation publishes a Zulu-language newspaper specifically to serve the needs of rural communities and also empower local youths funding from the DG Murray Trust has enabled Africa!Ignite to train a network of youngsters as journalists, photographers and researchers, who now provide content for the publication and act as community liaison officers. Africa!Ignite has also adopted the role of a rural rights watchdog, ensuring that communities and individuals are not neglected, abused or denied basic

access to information and resources as a result of their isolation. Health and education issues, career guidance and lobbying in terms of water, sanitation and environmental protection are just some of the activities undertaken on behalf of the marginalised communities in the region. Preserving heritage Another issue close to the heart of the Africa!Ignite team is preserving the culture and heritage of the region, especially the ancient African tradition of storytelling. World-renowned storyteller Gcina Mhlophe is a director of Africa!Ignite, and has been involved in training 20 youths across KwaZulu-Natal as storytellers. There is an African saying that goes when an old person dies, it is like a library burning down. We want to keep this tradition of storytelling alive and teaching the youth is the logical solution, explains operations manager Margaret Gribble. With every new programme, partnership and initiative undertaken, the team at Africa!Ignite is helping thousands of forgotten and marginalised rural dwellers find their voice and reclaim their rightful place in the world. Long may they continue to do so.

WOWZulu MARkETPlAcEs
WOWZULU Marketplaces combine craft sales with vibrant cultural experiences and attractions such as coffee shops, storytelling, rural home stays and opportunities to learn craft techniques. They are owned by local entrepreneurs and supported by Africa!Ignite and other partners. Venues include Lake Eland on Oribi Gorge, Isandlwana Museum in the Battlefields, Zulu Croc near Hluhluwe and King Shaka International Airport.

Contact Africa!Ignite PO Box 35677 Northway 4065 Tel: +27(0)31 303 5482 Cell: +27 (0)82 34 35 486 Email: info@africaignite.co.za

132

Wilna Botha

Sawubona October 2012

Returning from a function in Isandlwana village, Umzinyathi.