The Training Program was advertised through the SCAN network during June 2025. Emails were received from 24 people interested in the course. Interviews were done on 14 July 2024 – ten candidates attended – two were not successful as they had jobs and could not attend the training full-time.
On Monday 21 July 2025 training started with five candidates. A two-week introduction programme was completed by four candidates that were very passionate and showed up every day.
STELLENBOSCH CRAFTS ALIVE TRAINING
Stellenbosch Crafts Alive Training (CATs) in collaboration with Legacy Community Development NPC The Training Program was established to identify and train people who were passionate about creating productions with their creative skills to earn an income. 10 candidates undertook the training program. The program includes skills development workshops and some of the candidates are currently using their skills to create a sustainable income. All of this was made possible through funding from RHI Connect Trust.
One candidate (Xhosa lady from Kayamandi age 20) has decided to start doing lino-printing and is developing products to sell at the iThemba CraftArt Gallery.
One candidate (Xhosa male age 24) attended Elizabeth Galloway Open Day – recommended/ referred and mentored by SCA. There is a possibility that he will study with them in 2026.
Two candidates (Xhosa male age 20, Coloured male, Idas Valley, age 16) are interested in photography. One is already earning an income with his photography and is expanding his business after the course.
As this was a pilot project, the aim was to identify seven candidates who were passionate about creating products with their creative skills to earn an income. Two candidates are successfully implementing the knowledge that they gained during the 5-week training program to earn an income. Two candidates are still in the planning stage to decide what they will do. Anna from Stellenbosch Crafts Alive stays in contact with them and have regular meetings to see how they can assist them to start their creative career.
The young adults, as well as the ladies who were trained in 2024 and worked at SCA in 2025, received certificates at a function in November.
Skills development workshops – Design, Screen-Printing, Lino-Printing
Programme
| Basic Training Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Mo 21 July | Personal Development: Goals, Values, Vision board |
| Tu 22 July | Business Principles & Planning |
| We 23 July | Design Elements - Nelis Koegelenberg |
| Do 24 July | Design Principles - Nelis Koegelenberg |
| Fr 25 July | Personal Budget |
| Mo 28 July | Product Costing |
| Tu 29 July | Product costing |
| We 30 July | Market Research |
| Th 31 July | Marketing, Visual merchandising |
| Fr 1 August | Customer service |
| Skills Training | |
|---|---|
| Mo 4 & Tu 5 August | Design – Nelis Koegelenberg & Lenie Harley |
| We 6 till Fri 8 August | Screen printing - Lenie Harley |
| Mo 11 till We 13 August | Lino Printing – Anna Kruger |
| Th 14 till Fri 15 August | Assist with exhibition at iThemba CraftArt Gallery – Nana Wagner |
| Mo 18 & Fr22 August | Photography – Coert Venter |
| Product Development | Individual mentorship – Anna Kruger |
Outcome
One candidate (Xhosa lady from Kayamandi age 20) has decided to start doing lino-printing and is developing products to sell at the iThemba CraftArt Gallery.
One candidate (Xhosa male age 24) attended Elizabeth Galloway Open Day – recommended/ referred and mentored by SCA. There is a possibility that he is going to study with them in 2026.
Two candidates (Xhosa male age 20, Coloured male, Idas Valley, age 16) are interested in photography. One is already earning an income with his photography and is expanding his business after the course.
As this was a pilot project, the aim was to identify seven candidates that were passionate to create products with their creative skills to earn an income. Two candidates are successfully implementing the knowledge that they gained during the 5-week training program to earn an income. Two candidates are still in the planning stage to decide what they are going to do. Anna from Stellenbosch Crafts Alive stays in contact with them and have regular meetings to see how we can assist them to start their creative career.
The young adults, as well as the ladies who were trained in 2024 and worked at SCA in 2025, received certificates at a function in November.
All of this was made possible by funding from the Rumour Has It Connect Trust.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Mandela Day Legacy Centre – Sandwich Drive
In celebration of Mandela Day, the RHI team was honoured to be invited by the Legacy Kayamandi team to take part in a meaningful community initiative focused on giving back.
Our team came together to prepare sandwiches as part of a sandwich drive aimed at supporting children within the Kayamandi community. The sandwiches were then distributed across various Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the area, helping to provide a nutritious meal to young learners.
It was a truly heartwarming experience and a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference
Corneli Pheko Initiative
In 2026, we had the privilege of contributing to the Corneli Pheko Initiative by extending and improving Corneli Pheko’s home. This project, which began as a simple idea several years ago — a quiet dream, a deep desire, something gently laid on our hearts, finally reached its execution phase in May 2025 and was successfully completed in October 2025.
Through this initiative, we were able to help create a safer, more comfortable, and improved living space for Corneli. The completion of this home extension represents more than just construction — it reflects the power of collaboration, compassion, and commitment to making a lasting impact in someone’s life.
Beyond enhancing her home, the additional space has created an opportunity for Corneli to establish a crèche that will support children who will attend the school planned for development in her community. This extension therefore not only uplifts one household, but contributes to the broader growth and wellbeing of the community as a whole.
We are truly grateful and proud to have been part of Corneli’s journey, ensuring that she now has a home in good condition and a lasting space she can call her own, with the ability to welcome and accommodate her family for years to come.
