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This is your Chance

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If you’re a crafter producing delightful, creative pieces with an innovative twist, then this is your chance to compete with other equally amazing crafters from throughout the province who will be vying for the coveted best crafter award at the prestigious Lithuba Lakho (This is your chance) Eastern Cape Craft Competition awards in Port Elizabeth on December 10.

Crafters working in the Eastern Cape Province are invited to enter their best products for the second round of the craft competition and exhibition. The competition and exhibition is designed to promote top export quality craft from a diverse range of disciplines. The competition is an initiative of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Mandela Bay Development Agency and Swallows Foundation SA funded by The National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund.

“Regional selection dates are available at www.ecdc.co.za where crafters can bring their work for the opportunity to be selected to participate in this prestigious exhibition. Selected works will be transported to Nelson Mandela Bay to be on show at the Port Elizabeth Athenaeum in December 2015. The selection will take place between 23 November and 2 December 2015 at venues across the Eastern Cape.

“The competition will be tough and only the best craft items will be selected for the final exhibition. The top three crafters will also be sponsored by ECDC to promote their work on a national forum,” says ECDC Business Advisor, Cumile Ntuthu.

At the inaugural awards last year, the competition attracted a total of 84 gritty crafters from 19 towns across the province entering for the running. The selection committee worked on finding those presenting high standards of technical skill, workmanship and quality; which would provide reproducible craft items.

Winners last year were; Best Eastern Cape Crafter: Home Wear – Ozzy Eco Décor, Best Eastern Cape Crafter: Accessories – Annette Oelofse Mohair Products, and Best Eastern Cape Crafter: Apparel – LM Junior.

In addition, winners were each awarded prizes to the value of R20 000 to be used towards purchasing machinery material. In addition they were also taken to the design showcase, the Design Indaba Conference in Cape Town.

Ntuthu says the initiative will uplift the local craft community by promoting local craft in international markets.

“We challenge all Eastern Cape crafters to up their game and craft something amazing that represents the spirit of the Eastern Cape the home of legends,” Ntuthu explains.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.