Many learn to make pots to feed their families
Director and trainer of WavuNow Veronica Shangali Aswani said the training focused on the production of hand-made pottery
Twelve local cooperatives, made up mostly of unemployed senior citizens, were armed with much needed skills.
Members drawn from these different cooperatives received training in the production and decoration of pottery. This training was funded by the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) and took place at the Rabasotho Hall on June 24
Director and trainer of WavuNow Veronica Shangali Aswani said the training focused on the production of hand-made pottery and accessories.
“We are truly proud of the members of the cooperatives we trained here in the past five days. They have shown great interest and were able to learn quickly all the manufacturing processes.
“They successfully produced and decorated pottery and accessories. We are grateful to the City of Ekurhuleni’s Mary Mathole for working with us and mobilising the cooperatives as well as providing the venue to conduct the training,” she said.
She said the training was a huge success and hopes the beneficiaries will make full use of what they have learnt.
“We were mandated to train 50 cooperatives within the Gauteng province, and twelve participants were drawn from Tembisa.
“So far we have trained 39 cooperatives and we look ahead to rounding off this project,” she went on.
One of the beneficiaries, Nomsa Manga Nkuna, said, “This training will make a massive difference for the people of Tembisa. It will uplift the standard of living for those who received the training because they will be able to use the skills to feed their families. The beneficiaries stand a good chance of establishing and growing their own businesses,” she said.
She applauded the City of Ekurhuleni, WavuNow and the GEP, for bringing this project to the people. “We really needed this intervention in our community,” she said.
After the training, the beneficiaries were each given a starter pack and are now ready to start their own pottery manufacturing business.
The 12 cooperatives that received training were Siyaphumelela, Tsentle, Uhuru, Hold Hands, Nothani, Onke Amasiko, SADP, Tadima, Ikemeleng Basadi, Kananelo, Sakhumuzi and Intuthuko.
