As the largest mineral-beneficiation organisation in the jewellery sector in SA, Vukani-Ubuntu Community Development Projects has grown from a single idea back in 1998, to a national network of grass-roots development projects across the country.
This seed, planted by a friend to “help a little with an outreach project”, has today spawned a unique world-model: Integrated Sustainable Development following the “Social Venture Capital” model (or “Social Capitalism” as the Americans call it).
Vukani founding father, Demos Takoulas, contributed his extensive knowledge of business management, marketing, academia, human relations and a strong sense of community development, in establishing one of the most successful NGO’s in SA. From his cosy kitchen in Pretoria, Takoulas formed the beginnings of this new development model – its central focus being to empower marginalised people in a sustainable manner, initially focussing on the community of Atteridgeville (a township on the outskirts of Pretoria).
The need for Black Jewellers to enter the jewellery industry was apparent but due to the nature of this complex sector, this was going to prove difficult. In 1999 the first-ever jewellery development project was born in A’ville – the Atteridgeville Jewellery Project (AJP). This Project offered an accredited 3-year National Diploma in Jewellery Manufacture & Design entirely for free. With AngloGold Ashanti’s initial funding of R 240 000, a place in history was secured for 12 Historically Disadvantaged Individuals.
He has - with a dedicated Vukani team - in the past 9 years set up 9 community-development projects (6 industry- related training and manufacturing projects) in 4 provinces - a notable achievement which has allowed easier access to disadvantaged people into the formal jewellery sector. In this short period, Vukani has generated gainful employment for over 300 hdi's and fundraised in excess of R30-million from over 30 local & international donors (1999 – 2008). Through his dedication and generous contributions - not only of his time, but also through donating initial infrastructure for the first three years - his leadership shaped Vukani-Ubuntu and evolved the jewellery development sector into the success it enjoys today. Vukani is the single largest trainer of emerging black jewellers in the industry, currently allowing access to the formal sector to over 150 hdi’s annually.
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