A TOTAL of 35 leather crafters completed the first phase of the Leather Workshop which is geared to empower crafters who produce leather products. This workshop, held on 06-10 November, is part of a series of capacity building programmes packaged by KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s Winston Churchill Theatre as part of its outreach programme.
As the first intake concluded the five (5) day Leather Workshop targeting crafters from the Richmond Municipality and surrounds, Wiseman Khomo a leather craft specialist, pointed out that such a workshop is best positioned to attract the youth and women to practise a trade that Richmond used to be popular for. He highlighted that some of the challenges facing the industry include the scarcity of hides and other raw materials.
This particular workshop took place against the backdrop of Sukasambe, a ward-based intervention programme spearheaded by the KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture as accelerated service delivery intervention which is also aimed at talent identification and development as well as broadening access.
“We have to revive Richmond’s leather craft making to the level of its former glory. This time is ours especially if you look at how much in demand the traditional attire is. That alone is comforting as it indicates that people are now proud of their heritage and stand a chance to survive economically from their indigenous knowledge systems,” said Khomo.
Khomo also applauded the growing number of females working with leather, as mostly they work with textiles and beads.
This first phase workshop also attracted young crafters who want to enter the leather business. One of these is Lizwi Mkhize, a young man from Hammarsdale. He grew up in an environment where he was surrounded by artists who were doing art and craft and that’s how he developed the love and passion. He highlights his passion as what drove him to be an artist full-time rather than pursuing formal employment.
His view on art is that the younger generation is getting more and more involved in art and cultural activities though which they can survive.
“Talent has to be primed and promoted. Being at the heart of development, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture accepts that the time has come for training of artists and sportsmen to produce well rounded artists with business skills that will help them survive the turbulent economic times.” said Peggy Nkonyeni, Acting MEC for KZN Sport, Arts and Culture.
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