For women in many rural communities, selling craft is their only source of income, but for many, it is an inconsistent and undependable income, inadequate to cover basic household expenses.
Mbhedula Craft Centre was established in 1997, starting with 20 members. The market aimed to stimulate the economy in Mduku by providing the tourists of Phinda Private Game Reserve, and those on the road to Sodwana Bay and Mozambique, with the opportunity to buy authentic locally produced African Crafts in Mduku.
Before the market existed, many women travelled nearly 300 kilometres to Durban to sell their crafts, often sleeping on the streets while trying to earn an income. With the establishment of the market, it created local economic opportunities and enabled women to earn closer to home while supporting their families.
Mbhedula Craft Centre continued to grow, investment in infrastructure became increasingly important to support both the crafters and the visitors who stop at the market.
In 2015, Wild Impact, through the support of donors, invested in large on-site and roadside signage to improve visibility and attract passing tourists. This initiative gave a significant boost to trade by helping visitors travelling to and from Phinda Private Game Reserve, Sodwana Bay and Mozambique locate the market more easily.
In 2018 Mbhedula Craft Market was identified as one market to benefit from an Allan Gray Orbis Fund Endowment grant, aimed at creating jobs. Implemented by Wild Impact in partnership with Global Gift Innovators, the programme is providing the crafters with intensive new product development and quality skills training as well as financial and business literacy training – truly empowering them to be entrepreneurs in control of all aspects of their business.
First steps were to engage with a baseline assessment to establish the strengths and weaknesses of the craft market and the crafters themselves. Support on renewing its registration has been provided and following that the team worked with the 20 members to develop a business plan. The crafters, all ladies, identified key products that sell well or that they believe would be successful in the craft centre, and intensive training, as well as the necessary equipment will be provided so that the crafters are enabled to specialise in these items and create products at a consistently high standard.
The market also faced challenges relating to water access and sanitation facilities. While operating as a successful community business, the lack of proper ablutions and reliable water supply had the potential to limit future growth and affect the visitor experience.
In 2022, Wild Impact supported the market with the construction of guest ablutions and the provision of water tanks to improve water security on site.
A borehole was initially drilled to a depth of more than 30 metres in an effort to secure a sustainable water source. Unfortunately, no water was found. As an alternative, two water tanks and a pump were installed, with the local municipality committing to periodically top up the tanks to ensure a reliable water supply.
Strengthing Visibility
Strengthing Sanitation
Strengthing Water Security
Just some of the ways the crafters at Mbhedula Market say that their lives have been impacted by the support of Wild Impact in partnership with Global Gift Innovators:
Business skills and Financial literacy.
Financial independence.
Improved design and production skills.
Preservation and promotion of culture.
Increased self-esteem and respect.
Increased family cohesion and stability – no longer travelling to find work.
Exposure to new markets and different cultures.
Wild Impact is a Public Benefit Organisation registered in South Africa. Reg. No.: 930002115