Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan says the Matsila Arts and Craft Centre is an example of economic development in rural areas. He says government will assist small businesses to venture into big markets.
Gordhan officiated at the opening of the centre in Matsile Village in Limpopo. The centre is part of the Matsila Development Trust project aimed at alleviating poverty in the rural parts of the province.
“If government departments can now connect them to global markets, so in that way we get quality right, price right and get marketing right, you can get this centre growing into a big one. We can now replicate this in other villages around here and pretty soon, we can drive industries, people employed and in a very different way learn. I think it is a very good example of local initiative, innovation of entrepreneurship. The thing that we talk about in Parliament and elsewhere, here people are actually doing it.”
Takalani Netshitungulu, who started painting four years ago says the centre has created a platform for her to showcase her work.
“I am a painter. I am really glad so that I can paint. I am a woman – a woman of faith because I can create something. It helps my family because when I paint I can sell, so that I can get money for my children can go to school.”
Minister Gordhan cuts ribbon and hands over Matsila Arts and Craft centre officially to Chief Livhuwani Matsila today pic.twitter.com/Oq2R4VtQVH
— DPE_ZA (@DPE_ZA) March 24, 2019
Matsila Arts and Craft centre ready to offer products to local & international markets pic.twitter.com/df7Fq6l6fg
— DPE_ZA (@DPE_ZA) March 24, 2019
Minister Gordhan tours the Matsila Arts and Craft Centre build by @SAFCOL_SOC. Paintings, crafts storage room, pottery machine , pots in display at the centre #MatsilaArts&Crafts pic.twitter.com/QHeIJhJC2M
— DPE_ZA (@DPE_ZA) March 24, 2019
The Department of Public Enterprises together with SAFCOL will launch the Matsila arts and culture craft centre in Matsila Village, Limpopo#MatsilaCentreLaunch pic.twitter.com/XPkLbkIUtb
— DPE_ZA (@DPE_ZA) March 24, 2019
