[April 2009] Voting in South Africa:

Above: Old House Museum Voting
Station - Albert Park (Durban)

This morning I went to vote in our general election. I was very impressed at how orderly and peaceful the area where I live (Albert Park) was.

I also want to commend the Indepedent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the way in which there staff processed my vote, and the many other voters infront and behind me. Elderly, disabled and the aged were taken to the front of the queue, and I was processed by polite and efficient staff, who were well trained. Nice to have such a positive experience on voting day. Our Shop Manager is running the shop today, and he will be closing at 3.00 p.m. to go and place his vote in Umlazi, his voting district. Congrats to the IEC, for a job well done.

[April 2009] Design Indaba, Brigitte Laurent and the DUT Work Integrated Learning Module:

Above: Beaded Lights at the Umcebo Stand at the Design Indaba

Above: Brigitte Laurent with her Light Creation

We attended the 09 Cape Town Design Indaba. Our new chandeliers made the Best of Show Catalogue, and we made very valuable contacts.

Our new Administrator Diane Ching assisted us on the stand, and we were also pleased to be joined by Brigitte Laurent. Brigitte is a Fine Art Graduate from the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Brigitte came and worked at the uShaka store, as part of the 08 Work Integrated Learning Module. The students spent time with us, designing, developing and retailing an original and creative chandelier, which encompasses the Umcebo ethos, of pushing the boundaries, and which looked at issues of recycling and creative design. Brigitte's work sold in-store, and we were very pleased to have her on our stand, to promote her own work to the public. We are hoping to have a large order soon for her, for a resort complex, and she is also going to return for four weeks, and assist us with the 09 Work Integrated Learning Module, which has now been expanded to four weeks. We wanted to share images of Brigitte with her work on the stand, and of the stand in general. Our thanks to Tony Starkey and the DUT Fine Art Department for initiating this programme, and sharing their students and their skills with us. We are hoping that this also encourages Fine Art Graduates to think more broadly of their qualifications, and to consider careers in design and decor. We will report back as the WIL 09 module unfolds.

[April 2009] Launch of Umcebo In-Store Workshop Space (Refugee Social Services Workshop)

Above: The first beading workshop held at Umcebo Trust

Today Yasmin Rajah and the team from the Refugee Social Services came to spend the morning, to have a de-stressing workshop with us at uShaka. This workshop marked the launch of our new workshop space in- store.

We have shortened our shop counter, and created new space in the shop, so we can host in-store workshops. This will help us diversify our income sources, share the model, and allow our crafters to meet and share with new client groups.

Yasmin has been a supporter of us and our work, since our formation, and she continues to help us grow and challenge ourselves.

Today we focussed on teaching the group how to make beads out of 2 litre cooldrink bottles. The group then mixed these with wooden beads, to make necklaces. We are hoping to have follow-up workshops, and to assist the group to build a chandelier, using these pieces created. We are hoping they can share the technique with their income generating groups, in-house, so they can assist the many client groups of refugees, who they work with.

Our thanks to the group for supporting our programme, helping us to lauch the new space, and we hope to soon be showing you images of the groups first chandelier.

[April 2009] Umcebo Administrator:

Above: Di Ching - Umcebo Administrator

Introducting Diane Ching: As the Trust has grown, and my role as Director has become more demanding; it became more and more evident that the Trust needed a capable administrator to help keep that side of operations going.

Diane Ching joined us in late 2008, bringing with her a very solid background in administration. Di brings to the trust a set of skills sorely needed, and has already established herself as a key part of the Umcebo family. We would like to welcome Di officially, and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.

[April 2009] uShaka Statue Project:

Above: Click to enlarge PDF renders.

uShaka Marine World are looking to improve the sense of arrival at the park. As part of this, Umcebo Trust were asked to submit a proposal.

Michael McFadyean (from Sheerdesigntraining) put together a day and night time rendition of a 5m high beaded King Shaka, that will stand on a 3m high podium, in the middle of the existing traffic circle and arrival point at uShaka. We have submitted this proposal to Shawn Thompson, the new Chief Operating Officer at uShaka, who is a firm supporter of us and our work. We are hoping to secure the necessary funding and to be able to bring together the right people, to make this landmark project happen, in time for 2010.