Minister Gordhan & Chief Matsila to hand-over arts and craft centre to the community of Ha-Matsila

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan will on Sunday 24 March 2019, officially handover the Matsila Arts and Craft Centre at Ha-Matsila Village, Vhembe District, in Limpopo Province.

This project is a collaboration between the Department, the South African Forestry Company SOC Limited (SAFCOL) and the Ha-Matsila Chief, Livhuwani Matsila, who saw an opportunity to create an arts and craft centre of excellence in the village.

The centre -which cost R750 000 to construct – is a venue to manufacture arts and crafts products such as pottery, paints and handicrafts to sell to the local and international tourist markets.

The timber-framed structure- which was erected on land donated by the Matsila Traditional Authority – is intended to become a manufacturing hub of arts and crafts in South Africa selling their crafts at tourist attractions such as the Kruger National Park and exports to international markets.

Through the centre the Department, SAFCOL and Matsila Traditional Authority aims to fulfil Government’s commitment to eradicate poverty, unemployment and inequality by creating opportunities for women and youth in Ha-Matsila Village and the Vhembe district Municipality at large. The arts and craft centre has created job opportunities for local women and young people in the village.

The Media is invited as follows:

VENUE: Ha-Matsila Village, Matsila Arts and Craft Centre (Close to Joe Matsila Guesthouse)

TIME: 11:00

DATE: 24 MARCH 2019 (SUNDAY)

Kindly RSVP to Sizwe Hlatshwayo at sizwe.hlatshwayo@dpe.gov.za or 082 363 8885 and Nokuthula Makaringe on 083 938 0224 or nokuthula@klf.co.za

For media enquiries contact Richard Mantu on 072 488 1520