[June 2010] Getting into the 2010 Spirit:

For the duration of the World Cup, the Umcebo staff will be wearing their smart new T-Shirts to show their support for South Africa during the tournament and to generally "get into the spirit" of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Thanks to Dean at Notorious Printers for kindly printing the Umcebo logo on the T-Shirts.

Leon Ahlers (Umcebo Board Member) and Di Ching (Umcebo Administrator) are seen surrounded by Umcebo staff in full Bafana Bafana regalia on the day of the game between South Africa and France.

[June 2010] ISOLEZWE ARTICLE:

Thanks to Philisowe Thutshini (DUT Work Intergrated Learning Programme) for getting us a mention in the Isolezwe Newspaper.

[May 2010] UMCEBO IRON Chandelier:

Our first Umcebo Iron product, click on the thumbnail to read the article.

[May 2010] DUT Beach Fun:

We were visited by Andrea Alcock and her students from DUT. These are students in their Extended First Year Programme. They visited our store/workshop, and learnt more about what we do. We are also hoping to ask some of them to help us paint a new mural in the store. We will keep you posted on this project. After their visit to us, they collected recycled materials on the beach at uShaka, and built sculptures, which we then judged. It was a fun day, and we also hoped to share with the students how important it was for them to think broadly about their qualifications, and to explore the links between their fields of study, and design and decor. We hope to be working with this group on many future collaborative projects.

[May 2010] East Coast Radio - House & Garden Show 2010:

Umcebo Trust will be participating in the 2010 East Coast Radio - House & Garden Show.

Below is the publicity / article to be used for our participation:

Umcebo Trust’s Eco-Tree on display at 2010 ECR House & Garden Show

The Umcebo Trust’s Eco-Tree, which has been constructed out of over 11 000 pieces of recycled material, is fast gaining attention with its exciting bid to set a new World Record for [feat]. The hand-crafted tree, which is 6.5 metres high and weighs more than 1 ton, will be on display at this year’s 30th anniversary ‘Bursting with Excitement’ East Coast Radio House & Garden Show at the Durban Exhibition Centre between 23 July and 1 August 2010.

The Umcebo Trust, which is based at uShaka Marine World in Durban, provides previously disadvantaged crafters and artisans a platform from which they can produce artwork and generate sustainable income for themselves and their families. Robin Opperman, founder and director of the Umcebo Trust, said that “the tree is about making magic from things that people place no value on, and normally discard. It is about conjuring up epic public art pieces that transform peoples thinking about art, craft, recycling, the community, as well as the people involved in these activities”.

The Trusts original wire and bead art pieces produced by local crafters have been widely recognised in the South African art, craft, and design circles as unique and noteworthy. Opperman said “we have brought the Eco-Tree to the ECR House & Garden Show to draw public attention to the Trust and its work. We are more than a decor shop and more than an art & craft shop: we are a working example of how innovation can be used together with community participation to create wonderful objet d' art and help marginalised members of society generate an income and develop a sense of self-worth. We will also have crafters on hand at the Show to discuss the work of the Trust with the public”.

The designers and crafters who built the Eco-Tree used a combination of recycled materials, including 5000 wine corks, 2000 2l litre cool drink bottle caps, and 4000 Eco Beads (made out of 2litre bottles, using a heat gun). Their aim was to “show that recycling can be attractive, and lead to landmark public pieces. The tree also represents the power of community projects, their crafters and supporters, to make the impossible happen” said Eco-Tree Project Manager Opperman.

The rest of the Eco-Tree team included Michael McFadyean (graphic designer), Linda Ness (engineer), Dick Whittington (structural consultant), Neil May (PVC welder), Diane Ching (project administrator) and crafters Mluleki Madlala, Bongani Luthuli, Sithabile Madlala, Mbongiseni Ntuli, Noxolo Nomvete and Siyakudumisa Mavume.

The Umcebo Trust, a public benefit non-profit organisation which was established in 2003, “uses creativity as a commercially viable means of empowering previously marginalised community members in an inclusive environment. We aim to create opportunities, overcome barriers and generate sustainable income for crafters and their families” said Opperman. Since its inception, the Trust and its talented crafters have been commissioned to produce artwork for a number of significant locations. Most recently, the Trust unveiled the two 10m x 6m beaded artworks, entitled “To the Sea” and “To the Beach”, it created for Durban’s iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium. “The pieces can be found adorning the walls of the VIP area on the ocean-facing side of the stadium, and we are honoured to have been given the opportunity to contribute artwork for this landmark Durban project” said Opperman.

For more information about the Umcebo Trust, visit www.umcebotrust.co.za, and for information about the ECR House & Garden Show, call Show Organisers on 031 303 5941 or visitwww.housegardenshow.co.za.

Press release compiled by:
Rob Evans

[May 2010] TEP Cocktail Party for Tourism Indaba:

We were invited to display our products at the Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP) Cocktail Party for the Tourism Indaba delegates in Durban recemtly.

This was an opportunity to network and show some of our products to potential future clients.

Thanks to Shamantha and Akash for the opportunity.

[May 2010] Old Mutual Legends Article:

Read the article in the Old Mutual Legends Newsletter about the Umcebo Trust Eco Tree.

Thanks to Anton Ressel and Cathy Wijnberg.