Ribbon Revolution
In today’s world, a person’s welfare and other social issues are impossible to ignore. In light of the recent economic crisis, unemployment has become an even greater issue worldwide, and according to Stats SA, South Africa’s unemployment rate reached 21, 9% in the last quarter of 2008. This high rate of unemployment is presumably set to worsen in 2009, considering global economic uncertainty.
This high rate of unemployment and the repercussions of the global economic crisis both emphasize the already desperate need to create and sustain innovative ways of uplifting young South Africans. An effective means of achieving this aim is to foster local creative talent. In the past, welfare organizations have gained the support of the public through the selling of different coloured ribbons, such as pink ribbons for breast cancer support. The success of these ribbon-selling initiatives has inspired a local cause, the Ribbon Revolution, to do the same.
Founded by Michael Harf, a Wits University graduate, The Ribbon Revolution is an organisation which prides itself in being true to the spirit of human welfare. Harf has created this initiative in order to ameliorate the circumstances of South Africans throughout the country, and is involved in numerous welfare projects, which include MaAfrika Tikkun, ORT SA, OSSAC and Yad Aharon.
Harf’s experience in working in developing communities has exposed him to various ways of uplifting the disadvantaged, which includes environmental awareness and education. The historical importance of beadwork in African communities, and the value of personal expression through art lead him to create Ribbon Revolution - which aims to empower young ambitious South Africans and simultaneously benefit worthwhile causes.
Ribbon Revolution has provided young South Africans with the opportunity to express their artistic talent, and earn an income. Ribbon Revolution has achieved this by establishing a platform for individuals to create beaded works of art which are 100% handmade and proudly South African. These beaded art works symbolize the essence of South African heritage, and include beaded African animals, plants, and the South African flag.
These art works are created exclusively for Ribbon Revolution, and while they primarily benefit the artists, they also lend support to other charities. Made by over 30 artists in the Johannesburg area, each piece includes a coloured beaded ribbon, which is fixed to the item, in order to identify which cause it supports.
Therefore, each beaded ribbon signifies a number of worthy causes that will receive a portion of the proceeds when the artwork is sold. Charities that are supported by Ribbon Revolution include Aids Awareness projects such as Thusanani Children’s Foundation; Breast Cancer Awareness organisation “Reach for Recovery”; Educational initiative ORT SA; Orphans and Vulnerable Children Support organisation MaAfrika Tikkun and Hunger Relief project Yad Aharon.
Primarily sold to corporate companies and as corporate gifts at events, Ribbon Revolution intends to launch their products abroad in the near future. In association with corporate entities, outlets, consumers and charities, Ribbon Revolution has defined mutually beneficial relationships and conceptualised a solid marketing strategy. For more information visit www.ribbonrevolution.co.za or
E-mail: info@ribbonrevolution.co.za
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
