Unique bags uplift communities

REAL change is hard, and change in South Africa is no exception where citizens are surrounded by crime, poverty, corruption, litter, poaching and negative mindsets.

So said Donovan Bailey of Expand a Sign at the launch of an exciting new initiative – the Uzwelo Bag – in Glenwood on Tuesday morning. Bailey’s passion for being part of change rather than sitting back and calling for change has been the catalyst in creating a project, together with Uzwelo, that is not only changing lives, but is helping uplift the poorest of the poor, giving people skills, empowering them, educating them and is also helping the environment along the way.

“It’s easy to sit behind a desk and try solve problems, but it’s better to go out and do something to make a difference. We had piles of fabric which was being delivered to landfills and decided to rather make use of the fabric. What we came up with was a range of funky looking bags and other items which we could sell, and at the same time, create jobs for people from rural communities,” said Bailey.

The project creating Uzwelo Bags (Uzwelo meaning ‘compassion’), has taken off with the help of machinist Rajes Pillay, who helps train people in rural communities to sew the bags for which they then receive payment.

The company has prototyped bag designs, engaged non-profits and communities, explored skills development programmes and encountered local heroes of positive change. Stories of hope and opportunity to make a real difference have become a daily experience.

The result is a fun, colourful range of unique and truly South African bags that are fashionable, durable and cater for every aspect of South African life from fashion to shopping, travel to work, sport and school.

The company has built up a team of three trained women from iBhungezi/Philangethemba Trust (Molweni-Valley of 1000 hills), three women from the LIV Village, and two women from iThemba Lethu in Manor Gardens. Each of these women are now producing bags and earning a living that puts food on the table for their families, funds education and provides dignity and upliftment for their communities on a long-term basis.

Uzwelo has also partnered with the Bateleurs, an NPO that provides SA with an aerial perspective of the environment. They are involved in multiple, diverse missions of sustainable environmental and development policies and programs. Uzwelo will donate a portion of its proceeds from sales to this organisation and their cause.

“We have created a monster and it needs to be fed, so we hope this story of hope spreads, that we can sell the bags to the community, and change the country by changing people’s lives,” said Donovan.

To view the bags, shop online at www.uzwelo.co.za or contact Kirsty Fonzari on 031 207 2327 for more information.

WIN:

Berea Mail together with Uzwelo is giving one of our readers a chance to WIN a funky laptop bag! To enter, fill in your details on the competition form below.

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

The competition closes on 31 August.