TashandaNewsletter
Friday June 22, 2007
Greetings to all our valued customers
We have just returned from a business visit to South Africa. Unfortunately, due to time constraints we did not
manage to travel to Zimbabwe. As you all know, our ultimate goal is to become the largest website for Southern
African art and crafts, starting with products from Zimbabwe. In South Africa we were introduced to an even
wider range of products. We observed that animal skins are very popular. They are used for hand bags, seat cushions
and wall hangings. The skins are by-products from cattle and other wild animals slaughtered for commercial meat sales
to butcheries, restaurants etc.. Animals are not killed purely for their skin.
Ostrich eggs (also found in Zimbabwe) are more plentiful in
South African retail stores. They tend to be ornately
decorated and they are sold with or without their stands. We
were also introduced to several candle making cooperatives.
One was formed formed by a woman whose aunt left her some old
candle-making equipment. She began by working alone, from home.
Her business grew from strength to strength and she now
supplies candles to international customers. This has resulted in
hundreds of jobs in the small rural South African location where her
project started. These are the stories which keep us inspired.
We were not surprised to meet hundreds of Zimbabwean artists at the various flea markets in Capetown and Jo'burg
as many of them travel here to sell their products. It was a joy to see them and their wonderful crafts.
This is our Africa!
We will be traveling to Zimbabwe in November to meet with the largest women's cooperative association in the
country. We hope to bring you many new products made by these women, and in turn help them find a new market in
America. As usual, you can contact us with questions and comments.
Stay well!!
Tashanda Staff
We have just returned from a business visit to South Africa. Unfortunately, due to time constraints we did not
manage to travel to Zimbabwe. As you all know, our ultimate goal is to become the largest website for Southern
African art and crafts, starting with products from Zimbabwe. In South Africa we were introduced to an even
wider range of products. We observed that animal skins are very popular. They are used for hand bags, seat cushions
and wall hangings. The skins are by-products from cattle and other wild animals slaughtered for commercial meat sales
to butcheries, restaurants etc.. Animals are not killed purely for their skin.
Ostrich eggs (also found in Zimbabwe) are more plentiful in
South African retail stores. They tend to be ornately
decorated and they are sold with or without their stands. We
were also introduced to several candle making cooperatives.
One was formed formed by a woman whose aunt left her some old
candle-making equipment. She began by working alone, from home.
Her business grew from strength to strength and she now
supplies candles to international customers. This has resulted in
hundreds of jobs in the small rural South African location where her
project started. These are the stories which keep us inspired.
We were not surprised to meet hundreds of Zimbabwean artists at the various flea markets in Capetown and Jo'burg
as many of them travel here to sell their products. It was a joy to see them and their wonderful crafts.
This is our Africa!
We will be traveling to Zimbabwe in November to meet with the largest women's cooperative association in the
country. We hope to bring you many new products made by these women, and in turn help them find a new market in
America. As usual, you can contact us with questions and comments.
Stay well!!
Tashanda Staff
| Women in traditional dress singing at Capetown's Waterfront |
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