Imbali's programmes

South Africa has one of the highest levels of youth unemployment in the world. According to recent Stats SA figures (statssa.gov.za), 55% of our working age population is under the age of 35, and 37.5% of those are unemployed. Jobs in the formal sector are scarce. Training people in skills they can use to create their own small businesses is thus critically important.

Imbali's crafts training programme works with young people from under-resourced communities to help them develop such skills, specifically those needed to create and run a crafts business. The programme also enables them to give back to their communities through our community outreach initiatives.

In poorer schools, which form the vast majority in South Africa, school administrations frequently do not see arts education as a priority. Resources are severely limited: there are few art materials available, no books, and little or no access to original artworks to study. Teachers are frequently assigned the responsibility of teaching art without experience or training, and even experienced teachers in poor schools have an urgent need for comprehensive teaching resources and additional training.

Imbali's production unit is an income-generating unit developed to meet the needs of corporates and government by providing larger quantities (between 20 and 1500 units) of handmade gifts, conference bags and bespoke craft products. Our many years of experience in the crafts sector ensure that clients are provided with quality products that meet their needs and budgets. Product excellence, combined with our ability to meet deadlines, has earned our production unit many loyal clients.

The production unit also provides valuable experience and income for Imbali's second-year students and graduates, helping them to move from being full-time students to running their own businesses. The unit also contributes to our ongoing sustainability by bringing in much-needed income to support our crafts training and other activities.