CSD at WordFest

Date Released: Fri, 1 July 2011 14:49 +0200

The National Arts Festival, now in its 37th year, has proved its sustainability and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for collaboration with international artists; and build new audiences. Thousands of people have descended on Grahamstown to experience 10 days of Amazing. On the Fringe programme, Wordfest is a festival of language and literature.

Some of the Self-Help Groups initiated and coordinated by CSD are exhibiting the wares at Wordfest. The Self Help Group concept is commonly defined as a group of people coming together for the common purpose of saving and loaning each other money from their savings. SHGs remain the only hope for low income households to participate in some kind of saving and micro finance scheme. In South Africa, SHGs have a huge potential for promoting sustainable livelihood through access to credit and savings for poor low income households that hugely dependent on state grants. These groups were initiated by CSD trained Community Facilitators who are also providing mentoring support and guidance to them on an ongoing basis.

This event allows them to showcase their talents and generate income from the sales of the products. Knitted mohair shawls, hats, gloves, beaded crafts, painting and an ointment made from natural ingredients are just some of the products made by these community women.

Picture inset: Members of a Self Help Group at their table during Word Fest.