Sim and Goodman created the products in this post, made from beads and wire during a course that they participated in.

If 40% were deducted from the retail price at which these items got sold, and with material and labour the only components factored into the wholesale price, they would have received approximately R7.00 per hour for the effort expended! Their real labour rate will be far below this, probably as low as R2.00 if other “ghost” input costs are entered into the equation. If the starting salary is R17/hr, these products are already selling at a demoralizing loss.

I estimate that R112.50/hr will be a fair trade-of to lead a secure and contented lifestyle in SA, and this will be the net goal for this venture. They will not be empowered by the production and retailing of these creative products at present price levels.

The task at hand is to design and produce products outside the framework of reference of the consumer. The originality and quality will be of primary importance, and of absolute importance in so far as reaching price points of R1250 and above.

These intro products have to be enhanced and improved and I hope and know that they will rise to the occasion.

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The quest for success.

The RDP, with treasurer Millie Rink and Paul Buckley an English national, provided a small kiln, some funding and a room to establish a studio. They with the help of others are in the process coordinating the establishment of a restaurant, craft shop and guesthouse establishment that can entertain and nourish the inquisitive tourists visiting Hermanus all year round. The work area will be available free of charge as long as the RDP is self-sustainable.

Southern Art Ceramics will assist in providing training regarding the production of high quality ceramic functional wares. In addition we shall provide mentorship in repaying loans, deal making and sales, marketing, savings and most importantly earning a sustainable salary. Standard business principles will be at place, empowering them to run a business for profit. Although the ideal will be for them to draw salary or some form of income from day one, to keep their tummies full and bodies and mind strong.

Southern Art Ceramics is known for the high quality dinnerware that it produced for 15 years, establishing a loyal following. I sincerely hope that my clients will support and actively comment on these blog posts. Our clients know us to be dedicated, passionate and we now that this energy will be alive and well in this new project.

I shall establish the partnership to possibly provide and grow the following needs:

• To train two individuals at present. Two will be the limit as more kilns will be essential to make the project viable for more.
• To provide a selling and marketing structure.
• To provide talented participants, who do wish to work outside the cooperative, with the means or support to be successfully integrated in a modern economy.

The most positive outcome will be if successful and dynamic groups of 4′or 5 individuals can be empowered with each group taking possession of its own strength and talents, thus ensuring a dynamic product reach not competing with each other.

At present the kiln is refurbished and a programmable controller installed. The electrical wiring will be checked and upgraded if necessary. Materials will be collected, drums, and brushes anything that can be of use during the creative process. The production area will be secured and prepared for production.

The cost of production will be calculated pro-actively with the two participants. A business plan will be discussed, researched and finally drawn up to act upon.

Below is Mthetheleli Nomkhila the office administrator and the radiant and all so positive community leader Vuyiswa Pike.

I propose that both the RDP, a registered not for profit entity, and the participants be empowered. The RDP must be able to improve and grow its ability to train talented individuals, and the individuals must be capable to be economically viable and active by themselves.

Any donations of redundant ceramic equipment will be appreciated, and will greatly enhance the capacity to grow this initiative and provide a stable and growing infrastructure for the use of talented individuals.

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An expression of dreams.

A dialogue with Simthembile Sim Gqushuza, staying at 601 Phosisa str. Zwelihle, Hermanus.

I hope that by reading these two posts you will be afforded a window into the life and dreams of these creative individuals. The images are of him in his room and the others of friends staying on the same property.

Sim persisted, still are and I believe that he will be consistent in his drive to become a successful businessman in the creative industries. I wish them both success in this endeavour.

The answers to the following questions are as they have been presented to me.

Where were you born?

I was born in the country of South Africa in the province of eastern cape from the district of Mqanduli in the village Ntlangaza location.My father at that time was working in Klerksdorp in the province of North west. I am his second born of his wife. My father lost his job at my early age it was 1992 and we had to survived by his belongings such as livestock. He then came to the Western Cape where he worked at the construction and at Fynbos.

Schooling?

In 2002 I came to him from the Eastern Cape to go to school where I did Grade 10 and Grade 12 at Qhayiya Secondary School. I didn’t study further because of financial problems, therefore after finishing Grade 12 I started looking for job, though it was not my aim because I was looking forward to futher my studies.

I started to work as a chef at the Restaurant, unfortunately I did not manage because of qualifications. I went to the training which was based to Business Skills. I got the certificate there.

I went to R.D.P. to study course of:

• Craft Production
• Business (NQF 2)
• Life Skills
• HIV/AIDS
• First Aid
• Eye on a child/Community
• Communication skills
• Tendering and
• Exporting

What is important in your life, re. Family, religion,….?

Family: My family is priority number 1. I will be nothing on earth without my family.

Religion: My religion is Faith Apostolic Church.

Friends: I usually choose the friends which we are in same congregational and friends who are hardworkers and honest.

What is your main goal, aim in life, what do you want to become?

My goal is to become a Creative Artist or Designer who will produce unique products. I want buyers to be attracted to my product and keep my website busy at all times searching for new things.

Do you have any dreams or special visions that you would like to share with us?

My dream is to have a good living which means to have everything I need and something I want in life.

Also to make the people in our community to know how to make things for themselves for the living not to depend to some other people.

My dream is to get rid of poor people and see all the people free in our community and to reduce crime and poverty.

Having this opportunity to design, manufacture, sell and learn to run a business, what do expect to learn from this experience, what do you aim to achieve?

I want to become the best designer I can be, and to be recognized by many people countrywide. I also want selling skills and how to run a business.

How will this opportunity benefit you?

This opportunity will benefit me in such a way that people will know me as an Artist or designer, and a Business man as well. I will be able to get what I need for myself and in future for my kids.

Has this creative road delivered any positive results or experiences as yet?

Yes being creative has already brought me positive results in such a way that though I am new to the industry, I already sold some products and the products I am producing are promising. And the ideas that are happening in my mind, and I want to see them coming out.

Is there anything regarding Hermanus, South Africa and its people or Africa and its people, or for that matter the World and its people that you would like to share with us?

I found that here in Hermanus there are people that love art products, I proved from whale festival 2007 in Hermanus, where they bought our products. The other thing is that all the time in Hermanus market square you will find craft products on sale. People around the world are so curious about African designs, that is why I am positive about this business.

Is the environment important to you, do you think that we must treasure and protect it?

Yes we need or must take care of environment, because it gives oxygen that we breathe in. It gives us the best designs to be able to produce art products, which people will love because they reflect nature or environment. There fore we need or must keep it safe all the times, try and find the best we get out of it but not destroy it by any means.

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The answer to a dream.

A dialogue with Goodman Ngalimani, staying at 57 Tsepe Tsepe, Zwelihle.

I hope that by reading these posts you will be afforded a window into the life and dreams of this creative individual. The images are of his mother, nephew and friends in and around there one roomed homes.

Goodman persisted, still are and I believe that he will be consistent in his drive to become a successful creative businessman.

The answers to the following questions are as they have been presented to me.

Where were you born?

I was born in Eastern Cape in rural areas at the district of Mount Fletcher in 1981.

Schooling?

I attend my lower classes at the school called Ngoleloe J.S.S from grade 1 until Grade 6. After that I went to another school because of the long distance I suppose to walk to the school about 10km.

That school was situated along the river which is near us and was called Tinana J.S.S I was schooling there until Grade 11.

What is important in your life, re. Family, religion,…?

Both are very important to me, but my family is number one then the Religion which guide us through our lives.

What is your main goal, aim in life, what do you want to become?

I want to become successful in life and business industry, and make sure that in 2 years time the business will be in another level especially in 2010 World Cup that will take us in another level.

Do you have any dreams or special visions that you would like to share with us?

Is to see our business from this level to that level, and supplying all over the country. To see myself as a boss on his own.

Having this opportunity to design, manufacture, sell and learn to run a business, what do expect to learn from this experience, what do you aim to achieve?

I would like to say as you are helping us keep as under your hand so that we can always get guidance.

How will this opportunity benefit you?

I have this opportunity it’s unbelievable to have the people that are willing to help us and it’s amazing.

To be honest you are truly care about other people and that makes me proud of you and I can say keep on with your humanity gift.

I am expecting to work very hard to achieve my goals. This opportunity will benefit us only if we are work very hard we put our effort in this business and we follow the rules.

Has this creative road delivered any positive results or experiences as yet?

Yes its delivered the positive results because I can see that you really want to help us with all your best and I also promise that we will follow your rules that you give us. On my side I experience that you are very open and you also want the people that are the same.

Is there anything regarding Hermanus, South Africa and its people or Africa and its people, or for that matter the World and its people that you would like to share with us?

For the matter of fact we must go to the Red Door so that we can get some information to get funding from the government.

Is the environment important to you, do you think that we must treasure and protect it?

The environment is very important we must treasure and protect.

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The last years have seen the development of Hermanus as a dynamic art destination gain momentum. Several new galleries opened, exhibitions are advertised everywhere, print media articles and web presence abound.

This excitement is flowing through to even the disadvantage communities as they sense the opportunities of tourism and the 2010 World Cup Soccer branding, grabbing the attention of most ambitious individuals. Be so kind and follow my Kwasa - Kwasa blogposts.

Patrick Chapman is the driving force behind the Arts Page in the Hermanus Times and The Philip Harper Galleries utilize the back page of the SA Art Times to advertise and drive feet to Hermanus.

Many artists are rising to these new opportunities, Tay Dall opened The Tay Modern, Shelley Adams and others are steadily building their profiles, and many younger ones might earn a living with their creative talents.

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The shock of the new - ceramic art prices.

In the ceramic fraternity several exceptional artists exist but they lack the confidence to value their work in the context of the correct platform.

I admire and am genuinely fascinated by the originality of Robert Hodgin’s ceramics. The intensity of the work subverts the fact that it is actually painted by a mainstream fine artist onto a ceramic canvas. His clientele recognize and value this exhibition as ART because Hodgin’s exhibits these ceramic canvasses as art and nothing less, take it or leave it.

Mr Hodgins shows the confidence of a master, and as such prices his artwork on a ceramic canvass accordingly.

Robert Hodgin’s, is setting a new framework of reference regarding price for the ceramic art patron, and I will not be surprised that if he only exhibits sculptural work, that we shall see sales, with prices far in excess of R100 000 per small scale sculptural art work!

The Bell-Roberts Contemporary Gallery at Lourensford Wine Estate hosted The Ceramic Art Of Robert Hodgins and images of his artwork can be viewed here.

Artists and designers from outside the ceramic fraternity add more value to ceramics, with most of these embracing cross-disciplinary experiences. The ceramic community are their own biggest enemy, with many prominent ceramic artists selling work at ridiculously low prices, eroding the viability of ceramics as a singular source of income.

I maintain that the choice of selling platform has a direct relation to the viability of the ceramic artist’s creative output.

To be continued …

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