Best product award from Cape

The winning bags were constructed from locally produced cotton fabric, with off cut material used for the floral appliqués. Vanessa van Coller, former sewing manager of the Zakhele Sewing Project, created the original design. Thandiwe Sikiti and Andrew Lane, manager of Learn to Earn's Business Resource Centre then developed it further with new materials and colours.

The hand-sewn bag was part of 30 Western Cape craft producer organisations represented in the SA Handmade Collection through the Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI). The Western Cape also took both the gold medal for the best provincial stand and the award for best sales, for the second year in a row.

Making the best of both worlds

Roché van Wyk, who has been at the helm of Learn to Earn since 1995, said, "Our approach to development is market and product orientated, so winning the gold award affirms and encourages us in this endeavour," he said. "Our product approach is one of combining an African flavour with western practicality."

Learn to Earn has to date trained more than 8800 unemployed people in market-relevant skills (including sewing, woodwork, basic computers, graphic design, home and office management). In recent years, it has maintained an over 80% success rate of people becoming economically active, of which on average 10% have started their own businesses.

For more go to www.capecraftanddesign.org.za for more information.