The Karoo as an Economic Region : The Karoo is a semi-desert region that encompasses some of the most historically impoverished rural areas of the country. Due to recent political policies that focused mainly on urban development there has been very little economic investment in the region. The Karoo is brimming with unrecognised economic potential, such as alternative power opportunities, tourism and craft development. However, although the apartheid regime has ended, many of the previously disadvantaged people lack the business knowledge, skills and general support to start entrepreneurial ventures.

Hanover: Northern Cape : The Northern Cape is one of only two provinces in which black people are not the majority as the coloured population make up 53, 5% of the population (Stats Sa, 1995). The coloured people in this region are decedents of the San (Bushmen) and Khoi (Hottentot) people.

The product : uNopopi (which means doll in isiXhosa) is unique in South Africa as it is the first range of black toy dolls make locally by historically disadvantaged women. The product is modern but has traditional references. It is cute and cuddlesome yet beautifully crafted with movable limbs and sculpted, painted features. It is packaged in a drawstring bag which is simple and chic. Response to the dolls from buyers during a major sales event in April 2009 at the International Cape Town Convention Centre – “Cute”, “At last, black dolls! And such good quality!” and “These are beautiful, so much detail.”

uNopopi dolls offer black children a chance to re-connect with their heritage and children from different racial groups the chance to learn tolerance and respect for racial diversity. Dolls represent real people in the imagination of a young person and so our dolls have a chance to change a whole generation!

The product could fit comfortably into Fair Trade principles – crafters are well paid, the work environment is comfortable and safe, the doll is made from local fabrics, the trading partnership with uNopopiProject and the production co-operative Saamwerk Poppe is based on transparency, empowerment and respect.

Production : In September 2008 a group of women were trained to make dolls. They now work as a co-operative called ‘Saamwerk Poppe’ . They are mentored by uNopopiProject while they learn to manage their own business. As the demand for their product grows, they train other women who become members of the co-operative. The co-operative makes its own decisions about how to organise the members, work, income and profit. Each doll-making co-operative consists of 6 – 10 women who do not need any qualifications or previous experience to join. They need to have some needlework skill - which most women have learned from necessity as it is rare to have a sewing machine.

Thumbnail CV, Project Manager : Denese Palm is a South African who has worked in middle management in Non-Government Organisations since leaving college in 1979. She is a trainer in basic business skills. She has also worked as a management assistant in a fashion design factory, as a technical assistant in a publishing company and has run her own business marketing products for craftspeople. She has 5 children, 3 of which are still living with her in Hanover, Northern Cape. Her objective is to use her skills in niche marketing to intervene in the unacceptably high level of unemployment, initially in the Northern Cape and if successful, in other provinces.

Life story of a founding member of Saamwerk Poppe : Lea Louw, 51, never went to school. She grew up on a farm without a farm-school, and it was too far to walk to the village. She regards that as a disability, and feels that working on a sophisticated project like uNopopi is a compensating privilege. Her 4 children are all adult; they work in Cape Town. Apart from her, Lea’s husband lives in her house, as well as an adopted child, who is at the local township high school. Lea’s household’s income comes from her husband’s disability pension, of R800, her earnings from Saamwerk Poppe, R400, and a grant of R680 for the adopted girl: totalling aboutR1880/month. Lea says uNopopi changed her life, for the better, by allowing her to get out of the house each day. Lea’s oldest son thinks her new position is: “‘n blydskap” (a happiness).