I organized a training for Swazi handcraft firms on how to attend a trade fair, and this is the resulting news coverage featured in The Swazi Observer on September 10th, 2010 page 19.
Text of the Article:
Pure Swazi Coordinator Tristan Hayes has described the attendance of three Swazi artisans at the international trade show at SARCDA as a success.Hayes said the artisans; Litsemba Mtiya Threads, Noma Ceramics and Zoggs were selected at a workshop in July for their performances in a mock trade show competition. SARCDA is the biggest international trade exhibition show for gifts and interior decoration in South Africa, Joannesburg, Gallagher. "Collectively, the artisans generated over E30,000 of orders from customers located around the world." The customers are from South Africa, Namibia, Canada, and Germany. The artisans' products will have a double impact as they will not only be found on store shelves, but will also spread awareness of the high-quality of Swazi design.
"Through the feedback received from potential buyers, and the exposure to other designers' products at the show, these three businesses will now be able to go back to their workshops and develop even more creative products," he noted.
Successful
Hayes said the artisans returned on August 24th from a successful week in Johannesburg after attending SARCDA, The coordinator said the trip was made possible through the sponsorship of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) gender program in collaboration with Pure Swazi and TechnoServe. "They sponsored the three female owned Swazi handcraft businesses to attend this important trade fair. The objective of the artisans going to SARCDA was to connect them with new customers, improving their knowledge of international markets. Also, it helped them grow the market for Swazi Handcrafts," he said.Turnover
Adding, Hayes said although the three businesses had already been quite successful in Swaziland, their annual turnover had not yet reached the point where they could fund a stand at this trade show on their own. "The UNDP gender program funded by the European Union, in association with TechnoServe, stepped in and provided funding for the stand space, training, transit and a weeks' accommodation. "Pure Swazi on the other side collaborated with the initiative by training the designers for the show and showcasing their products in their space at SARCDA."With the sales they have accrued from attending SARCDA this year, it is hoped that these handcraft businesses will be able to fund their own presence at the trade fair in the coming year," the coordinator continued. "We could have never run these programs without them. Already, Zoggs has stated that they will increase the hours of their part time employees to fill these new orders; generating additional well paid employment for women in Tambuti," he concluded.
