Thari Ya Mme Arts and Crafts

Thari Ya Mme Arts and Crafs is a registered initiative by a group of unemployed and disadvantaged women, men and youth. They started the initiative in 2003 and do leatherwork, pottery, beadwork, crocheting, knitting and sewing. They also make sandals and aim to start making traditional clothes in the near future.

Currently the project doesn’t have funding, but they are linked to the Galeshewe Urban Renewal Programme as a pilot project. They also have links with the William Humphreys Art Gallery, McGregor Museum, Xhu and Khwe San Project, Northern Cape Tourism and the Sol Plaatjie Municipality for further development of the project.

Part of the strategy of the initiative is to establish a cultural village where all the products can be produced, showcased and distributed to different curio shops in the province. The long-term objective of the project is to expand the business to other parts of South Africa and eventually internationally. Their objective now is to become sustainable, generate income and empower these people to run their own businesses. They would also like to start training other communities in arts and crafts. 

The role of the cultural village would also be to showcase African culture, history and heritage to tourists and to promote the Rastafarian culture by performing dances, drumming, and poetry, and by serving traditional African cuisine.