When you buy something from an artist
You’re buying more than an object.
You’re buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation.
You’re buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy.
You’re not buying just one thing, you’re buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul…
A small piece of someone else’s life.
Julian Lennon
Creativity, knowledge, culture and technology can be drivers of job creation, innovation and social inclusion.
The creative economy sector can contribute a lot to growth and prosperity, especially for developing countries and South Africa is no different. The National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is committed to supporting the Craft Co-operatives in South Africa. Through the Rural Enterprise and Industrial Development branch, REID was established in January 2013 to give sharper focus to the South African government’s National Development Plan.
The Rural Co-operatives Chief Directorate is one of REID’s sub-programmes and deals with primary, secondary and tertiary rural co-operatives. REID is tasked with the promotion, support and development of sustainable co-operative enterprises. Through the appointment of Urban-Econ Development Economists, ninety (90) co-operatives in four of South Africa’s nine Provinces are being assisted to find market outlets for their art and craft.
Your support of this initiative will contribute to the livelihoods of women in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga and will encourage the promotion and access to greater cultural diversity.
