While there is a perception that many rural people are poor, some have realised the need to use their surrounding wetlands as an economic resource that boosts household income. When Inina Craft Agency was established in 2000 little did they know that they would develop into an award-winning community development project.  Mrs Thandazile Magubane, the manager of Inina Craft Agency, tells how it all came about.

The Inina Craft Agency in Eshowe, KZN, provides clear evidence that rural people can use natural resources to survive and improve their well-being.  It is a good example of a community-led business initiative, with members who realised the need to use wetlands wisely, not only to produce food but for numerous other economic benefits.

Inina Craft Agency was established in 2000 with the aim of fighting poverty and unemployment amongst the rural communities around Eshowe. With only 30 members upon establishment, today Inina boasts 150 active crafters. These locals harvest ikhwane, induma (Cyperus spp.) and incema (Juncus kraussii) to produce mats, baskets and bags. A business that started with the production of only a few items has now expanded to hand-produce a wide variety of items, ranging from conference bags to beadwork, pottery and fancy wedding cards. Products are supplied both to local and international markets.

“The origins of the business date back to the times of high political instability in KwaZulu-Natal during the 1980s, with members who saw a need to form a saving and credit co-operative,” says Thandazile. “Due to political turmoil some of our members died in violence and some relocated to other places.  A few remaining members then met and decided to put a plan together on how to increase their household income.  Through professional help and guidance provided by a team of community development experts from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), our income has been growing steadily.  For example, in 2009 we achieved a turnover of R 1.4 million”.

The University’s involvement has not only provided help with advanced business and administration skills, but added leadership and educated the crafters about the importance of wetlands as a source of income.  It is encouraging to see how the members have learnt how to market and sell their products to overseas markets. Inina is now a recognised award-winning craft business provincially, nationally and internationally.

“Additional  valuable support  comes from the Departments of Trade and Industry and Arts and Culture, who have continually been providing assistance  in exhibiting  our products locally and internationally, including funding the travel expenses and providing basic business skills,” notes Thandazile.

Thandazile further adds,  “Together with our partner UKZN, in an event held in Helsinki, Finland, we won the 2008 Global Best Award in recognition for the women empowerment in Eshowe. Through the assistance of big businesses like Trade Port and the Durban Chamber of Business we won the KZN Emerging Exporter of Year 2009. We are actually proud to be the longest running craft co-op here in KZN.”

“We operate as different suppliers under one agency.  Ikhowe Craft Group specialises in Induma (Cyperus sextalis) fibres, Thubalethe’lihle in Ikhwane, Masibambane, provides beading, and KZN Papermaking develop their products from recycled sugarcane tops.  Amongst the regular customers are the Bracelets of Hope (a Charity organisation in Canada), Universities, research organizations, government departments, conference organisers, craft-commissioning clients’’, explains Thandazile.

“Amongst us some members have managed to pay for tertiary education.  Some of us have managed to build or renovate houses while others have managed to buy furniture which we could not have achieved without this business. One of Inina’s major strengths is its ability to partner with a range of diverse organisations and benefit from them. These include large businesses, government departments, research organisations and small community groups. Its second major strength is its ability to engage the markets and producers. The staff is fluent in English and understands business and is always on the other end of a telephone or e-mail system.”

The Water Research Commission (WRC) was introduced to this community by researchers from UKZN and CSIR, who are involved in research on both ecological and socio-economic aspects of the Mbongolwane Wetland and surrounding communities. Supporting research in impoverished rural areas with intentions to empower communities is a key goal of the Commission.

On 22-23 May the WRC will be hosting a Dialogue in the Mbongolwane Wetland to try to  assist the  community in creating an environment where research can provide answers as to  how best to sustain wetland benefits and improve all aspects of the value chain, including the marketing of products. This is important as the demands on the ecosystem’s goods and services are changing, and there is a need to manage sustainability. Furthermore, the WRC has committed itself to a much more holistic approach to research, with increased impact on society.

Media RSVP: Hlengiwe Cele, Stakeholder Liaison :  Cell -083 266 9781   or email  hlengiwec@wrc.org.za

To contact Inina Craft Agency visit www.inina.co.za or email inina@telkomsa.net, Inina is based at 52 Weber Street, Eshowe, 3815, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

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