HOME: Khayelitsha or "New Home" in Xhosa, is a vibrant Black township 25 minutes drive from Cape Town (the Mother City in South Africa). It was formed by the apartheid government in 1983, to house the "illegal" Black people who had been coming to the city in search of employment, and to visit their men who were working here as labourers. Most of these people did not have homes, and had to build shacks in which to live. Today it is a vast area and is home to close to 2 million people, many of whom are still unemployed. As such, with artistic skills and talents, people are trying to eke out a living with their craftwork. Entrepreneurs and local craft markets have sprung up, but most of the people still do not have access to a vast buying public. During the past 8 years which I have spent visiting the area, I have met and befriended many people. I have also had the pleasure of becoming aquainted with numerous artists and crafters, who are desperately seeking an outlet for their talents. The sale of these crafts, is very often the only income which supports their families. As such, I have offered to make these skills internationally known by creating a website, which hopefully, will result in requests being made; in orders being placed; and an increase in awareness of the talent, which will result in a better life for the residents being created. They have opened their homes to me, shared their lives with me, and welcomed us into their environment. I have offered to do all I can to support them in return. I have also realized that one has no need to shop at expensive stores and galleries, to find the perfect jewellery, paintings, ornaments and accessories.
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