ZIMELE - Helping Communities Stand on their Feet - MicroBusiness and Crafts Program

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MicroBusiness and Crafts Program

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MicroBusiness and Crafts Program
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The Zimele MicroBusiness program goal is to the build the craft and business skills of the people of Kwazulu-Natal and also facilitate distribution to local, national, and international markets. The eventual vision is that Zimele USA will also build a global distribution channel to export products made by the Zulu people to consumers all over the world.

Craft Artisan Development

Zimele trains artisans to make, manage, and package their crafts

Zimele is currently training artisans to make Makoti dolls, handbags, notebook covers, and jewelry. Basic sewing skills are being taught as well as materials management and product packaging. Zimele also facilitates the selling of these by advising on product design and then transporting the products to markets that were previously unreachable simply due to geographical distance. Currently the handbags are selling quite well in the local flea markets in Praetoria.

Business Training

In addition to developing crafts skills, Zimele is training business skills such as product design, marketing, bookkeeping, and basic financial management. In essense, Zimele is building entreprenuerial skills so that one day communities will be able to sustain independent businesses.

Global Distribution

A Group of Craft Artisans from Mopela

While crafts skills are being developed in South Africa, the Zimele USA team is seeking to develop distribution channels in the US. Direct channels through the internet (eBay, Amazon) are being developed as well as reseller channels to traditional retailers such as jewelry stores, craft stores, stationary stores, etc.

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