Umcebo Trust

Umcebo Trust is a non-profit organisation that believes that marginalised people have within them the creativity necessary to make a difference, and aims to establish a studio workspace for people to use and develop their artistic talents as a means of personal and creative development, as well as to generate income. Umcebo is an isiZulu word meaning "treasure".

Umcebo is an isiZulu word meaning "treasure".

Work over eleven years at the Department of Art and Technology at Ningizimu School for the Severely Mentally Handicapped in Durban served as the model and launch pad for the Umcebo Trust. This work includes the creation of 3-dimensional objects, banners, and mat and basket work and their sales via a programme that generates marketing opportunities, sales and commissions. The daily struggle against HIV/AIDS, unemployment, prejudice and poverty forms the broader context and motivation for the Umcebo Trust?’s work. The Trust stimulates and promotes participant skills and aims to create a non-threatening and secure environment where a diverse range of people from surrounding environments can gather and interact on joint and individual projects that illustrate the value and power of diversity and co-operation. The skills trained and used include sewing, wire work and bead work. The emphasis is on producing practical and usable crafts, and producing art of a unique and exceptional quality. 3-dimensional sculptures, banners, mat and basket making are other skills and techniques used.

At present, the Umcebo Trust holds workshops on Saturday mornings at the Durban Institute of Technology (DIT).

For a look at some of the work done by the Umcebo Trust, please visit the HIVAN Photo Gallery (a link to which is provided on the righthand side of this page) and read the latest Umcebo Trust (a link to which is also provided on the righthand side of this page).

For more information on the Umcebo Trust, please contact its Chairperson, Robin Opperman, on - Telephone: 031 3053408/031 4690767/031 4690768; Facsimile: 031 3056090; Cell: 083 7933408 or Email: [email protected]. Visit their website: http://home.telkomsa.net/tabby