uKhamba Co-Operative
uKhamba Co-Operative
In collaboration with the National Movement of Rural Women (NMRW) and UKhamba Pottery Cooperative in Mpumalanga, BLVCK BLOCK's Outreach Programme empowers women in the region by strengthening the cooperative's operations.
The programme aims to enhance the skills and business acumen of the women involved in pottery production, ensuring the cooperative runs efficiently and sustainably. By providing training, resources, and support, the initiative helps to create economic opportunities for the women and ensures that their craftsmanship is recognised and celebrated in the broader market.
BLVCK BLOCK x uKhamba Co-operative
The program empowers women in the community by combining hands-on art training with practical financial literacy. Beyond skill-building, the program seeks to cultivate confidence and inspire entrepreneurial thinking, with discussions about organising a community market and encouraging younger generations to view art as a viable skill and career path. With support from a dedicated team of artists and facilitators, the program emphasises mutual learning and guidance, ensuring each participant feels valued and inspired throughout the journey.
Workshop overview
The program has fostered a supportive, inspiring environment where participants have shown enthusiasm, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Participants demonstrated increasing confidence, particularly in artistic techniques such as grid usage and colour application, while financial literacy sessions sparked practical discussions on pricing and time management. The women's curiosity about the broader art world, desire to apply new skills, and interest in organising a community market highlight the program's potential for long-term impact.
Art Session:
The participants were taught various artistic techniques. One of which was using a grid tool for proportional drawings. The facilitator guided the participants in creating 8x10 grids on paper, 24cm x 30cm. They engaged with colour theory, proportion and shape.
The women showed deep appreciation for the team's guidance, noting how the patient and supportive atmosphere inspired confidence. The art facilitators answered questions and demonstrated techniques enabling the participants to thoroughly and enjoyably complete their artworks.
Adding colour sparked excitement and boosted confidence, reinforcing the participants' belief in their creative abilities. Many expressed gratitude for the patience and encouragement of the facilitators. Participants engaged in discussions about Sam Ngcobo’s artistic mediums, enhancing their understanding and connection to the art-making process.
Product Development Session:
The session focused on identifying the strength and weaknesses of the product development process at the co-operative.
Key themes were quality control and product diversity.this led to enthusiasm as the participants were eager to implement new ideas and align their products with market demands.
The main aim of the product development session is that the participants can become entrepreneurial in their thinking when making product decisions. The ability to ensure quality and satisfy market demands are important for the empowerment of the women and the community.
Financial Literacy Session:
Practical questions arose about pricing products effectively without alienating current customers, showing an interest in balancing profitability with community affordability.
The participants realised they can calculate the time it takes them to complete each pot and use that to assist in pricing their work.