By MABONI KGABI
Five crafters from the province took part in this year’s Decorex Cape Town to showcase their handmade crafts and explore the international market from 22 to 26 June hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
A Re Bopeng Ceramics, Ba Devine, Ketso’Koi Creations, Take No Time Upholstery and Hearfelt participated at the show with support from the North West Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation after being nominated by the Bokone Bophirima Craft and Design Institute (BBCDI) in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development.
Decorex is a leading design and décor exhibition, which has been in existence for 29 years. The show accords young and old crafters from all spheres of life an opportunity to exhibit their products. It also provides the amateurs in the industry to test the market for the viability of their crafts.
BBCDI Programme Manager for Market Access, Ephraim Dikobe said, through their programmes, which include product development, enterprise development as well as market access, they are able to reach out to as many crafters as possible in the province. Dikobe further said, as the institute, they still need to cover a vast majority particularly who are unable to access information on how to penetrate the market with their crafts.
“Decorex was not the only platform that crafters were afforded an opportunity to showcase their products. South African Retail Chemist Druggists Association (SARCDA) Christmas show, Aardklop and other international shows are some of the shows, where market access remains one key factor for the exhibitors.
“As the institution, our partnership with key stakeholders such as the Department of Small Business Development, Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation and the Department of Economic Development in the province, would enable the organisation to achieve the intended purpose of ensuring that we cater for our target audience broadly,” he said.
Dikobe added: “We hope to increase the number of participants at such shows to enable them to gain as much knowledge and understanding as possible, but that is dependent on the work they produce to be able to compete with their counterparts in the industry.”
A crafter, Koketso Sedumedi of Ketso‘Koi Creations from Masutlhe village, outside Mahikeng said, it was her first time at Decorex and though the sales were not impressive, she was grateful for the opportunity. Sedumedi said after engaging and sharing information with some of the crafters at the show, she sees herself in a better position as there is a lot of potential for her products.
“We specialise in calabash making using dried peels. I am now going to focus on developing more products as we have more orders to follow up on from the show. My wish is for the department to assist us grow our business even bigger as there is a need for sustainability.
“The relations we have made will go a long way to assist us to remain in the business for generations to come. I definitely see potential in my product and that motivates me to do more. Collaboration with other prominent crafters is one factor that I would consider,” she said.
Sharlene Mphuloane of Heartfelt, who hails from Moretele village in Bojanala District said she was excited that she was able to make more sales compared to last year’s show. Sharlene said she even got an order of supplying one client with 250 Giraffe key rings.
“I am looking at collaborating with one company, which produces children’s toys and I am hopeful that the partnership would help a great deal. The platforms such as the one provided by SARCDA have opened our minds, in terms of what products to produce and for which market.
“I am thankful for the opportunity now that our product has hit the market. The response we received was overwhelming. My wish is to be afforded an opportunity to gain access into the international market and interact with international producers and suppliers with the know-how,” said Mphuloane.
The Guardian 