AFRICA TREASURES

Africa treasures was founded by the pretorius family in 2003 and are situated in kwa zulu natal on the east coast of Africa. At present we are in a joint venture with the nokuthemba business and skills development trust. The trust and Africa treasures will be jointly involved in marketing and manufacturing of our products. Training will be given to select candidates from the trust to empower them in the knowledge of these products.

The initiative came after we realized the tremendous skills that are hidden away in these artisans that sit in very remote areas trying to sell the goods that they produce under severe conditions. We started off adding value to the goods made by these rural south africans by taking some of the containers made by them and turning these into candles and thus useful curios that can be used on a daily basis and not just be used as ornaments.

The carving capabilities of some of these individuals were of outstanding value. The only problem to them was to get suitable mediums to carve from. They use a soft stone or wood found in nature but these commodities are growing scares as they are not replaceable and are on the brink of being over exploited in a frenzy to get the raw material to sculpt from and earn a living.

We took these items to create an item that has esthetic value as well as value in everyday use.

These candles are unique as they are made to a great extent by hand and therefore are the same, but each has a different character.

The ranges at present are in its initial stage but are already giving hope to the communities involved, as products made traditionally by the women like the clay pots and Guinea fowl are included and they have a chance to be creative and can earn an income of their own.

By selling and exporting these products and making them available to individuals all over the world we are sharing a unique cultural experience with people far and wide who may never see Africa.

At the same time the rural individuals can benefit from the exportation of their hard work and not only financially but in added dignity of reaping the benefits of being able to work and progress rather than be hopeless and dependant on handouts. The benefit of dignity of an individual and the happiness of his children is far greater than anything else.

Further to our animal and ethnic candles range, we are also manufacturing other lines of more conventional candle types, members of the trust in ethnic style will decorate these.

Taking into consideration that by this venture the purchase of these articles is uplifting the communities to empower them to take charge of their own well-being.

A donation of the sale of our product will be donated to various organizations to help with upliftment and dignify individuals as an added value to dignify them.

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