… Exhibition made possible by EU, ITC, and Yebo Art Gallery
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– The handicraft sector is gaining momentum in the country!
The European Union (EU), and International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with Yebo Contemporary Art Gallery, have supported two women cooperatives; Siyaphambili and Indzaba Yami to debut their first Textile and Basket art exhibition.
The exhibition was launched on Saturday at the Yebo Art Gallery and will go on until the June 17, 2023.
This initiative is part of the ITC-Alliances for Action project ‘Eswatini: Promoting Growth through Competitive Alliances,’ whose objective is to support job creation for small farmers, entrepreneurs, and artisans. It involves supporting enterprises in an environmentally and socially responsible manner to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth, creating decent jobs, and improving living standards in Eswatini.
The two cooperatives who are beneficiaries of this project; Siyaphambili and Indzaba Yami are supported by the EU, ITC, and Yebo Art Gallery with market development activities including the development of business plans and training on product development, basic screen printing, and advanced screen printing.
ITC Project Operations Manager Mawenzi Dlamini said the objectives of the exhibition are to showcase all the products that Siyaphambili and Indzaba Yami have created during and after the training; and to also provide information on the story behind the cooperatives, their vision, and development of the products which include drawings, placemats, and baskets only to mention but just a few.
“The expected outcomes of this support to the women is to assist them to gain visibility to local and international buyers, pitch to potential customers, establish business relations with other artists and buyers and earn an income from sales, and secure future orders from local individuals, companies, foreign buyers, and tourists,” he said.
He thanked Yebo Art Gallery for allowing the women to come and have practical training on their premises. “We are very excited about the prospects of the events that are coming up. All of this would not have been possible without the funding from the EU,” he said.
Letta Dlamini from Indzaba Yami said they were excited to debut in an art exhibition.
“We thank the EU, ITC, and Yebo Art Gallery for their support. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their support,” she said.
Thoko Nkambule from Siyaphambili added that they would remain grateful for this lifetime opportunity and they will seize it as much as they possibly can.
She further invited the public to visit Yebo Art Gallery during the exhibition between last Saturday and the June 17, 2023.
Yebo Art Gallery Director Aleta Armstrong commended the women for their commitment to their pieces of trainings.
“It has been an amazingly fun journey. Few ups and downs, but overall, very fantastic,” she said.
EU Charge D’ Affairs Robert Adam said this project speaks about the essence of the EU’s work in the country-empowering emaSwati, especially women and young people.
“This is the EU’s priority in cooperation with the Kingdom of Eswatini-to support and empower those who can make a difference in the country. There will be no real change without women taking the lead. They are the builder of the traditional household, but they should evolve to become economic, social, and political actors,” he said. “They say that if you want to help a person for one day, you give them a fish, but if you want to help them for life, you give them a fishing rod, and in this jobs and growth project of the EU, ITC, and Yebo Art Gallery, we are providing 20 beautiful women a fished rod. This is particularly important because it speaks to how the creative arts industry can a positive change,” he further stated.
