Our members are mainly women who manufacture their products at home, allowing them to take care of essential household activities and produce in their spare time. While products have been specifically designed for the corporate and conference market, the majority of products are manufactured using traditional techniques that pay homage to the heritage of Zulu crafts.
Our Agency is owned and managed by the crafters.
The Agency was established in 2006 by five existing Eshowe based crafting organisations:
- Thubaleth’elihle Craft Association: Products woven from ikhwane grass
- Ikhowe Craft Group: Products woven from nduma grass
- Masibambane Beads Project
- Umlalazi Beads Project
- KZN Papermakers: Homemade paper products
Our purpose is to jointly market and sell the products of the member groups. Between them the groups have over 150 members. We are supported by a number of organizations.
In October 2009 Inina won the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Emerging Exporter of the Year award. See more about this award here and here.
Inina has also won the Global Best Award for Partnerships.
Inina Management Committee: Sholiphi Mhlongo, Thandazile Magubane, Fundi Biyela, Aurelia Mhlongo and Victoria Mthethwa
Sustainability
We strive to promote the principles of sustainable environmental management. The reeds that are used as raw material for the fibre based items are harvested on a sustainable basis from local wetlands.
The twine used in manufacturing is recycled material from the carpet industry and the strapping is surplus stock from the textile industry. Paper is manufactured from sugar cane waste and used office paper.
Outreach Programme
Inina is committed to the battle against HIV and Aids. It has a formally adopted HIV and Aids workplace policy and plan which it is implementing. In addition, the chairperson of Inina, Aurelia Mhlongo, directs the operation of a day orphanage which caters to the needs of 700 children.
Media
Here is list of articles about Inina Craft Agency. Contact us for more information.
