Drakensberg Community Projects

KwaZulu-Natal and especially the Drakensberg is some of the most pristine areas in South Africa and is presently a major focus of the SA governments ambitious tourism development helping previously disadvantaged people to proserity.

A few Examples of community upliftment.

• The Bushmans River Touist association sells curios made by local people from the area. 
  
• The Antbear Guesthouse has offered its services as a plattform to sell curios made by the local community to its guests. Andrew and Conny do this on a non profit basis and at present sustain a small income for about 5 families. www.antbear.co.za
  
• Furnhurst farm sponsors a local black football team who raise awareness about aids amongst the spectators who watch their games.
  
• Jabulani Handcraft Centre, a project of the Association for the Physically Challenged, trains disabled Zulu men and women to make Zulu handcrafts using age-old, traditional methods and authentic materials. The centre is open to tourists. Visitors are able to see trainees at work, listen to the the choir perform traditional Zulu songs, and purchase unique handcrafts in a well-stocked Curio Shop. The Centre relies on sales its handcrafts to keep its doors open. graham@jabulani.org
  

• Imbali Handcraft - Handmade embroidery crafted by Zulu women at Dusk to Dawn on the farm "Wagendrift". Imbali Handcraft started in 1988 after recognising the hidden talent of the Zulu Women.  Imbali is a job-creation project offering a form of income for otherwise unemployed Zulu women living on the farm.

There is no doubt tourism is helping to uplift local  communities offering an escape from poverty. If you would like to help support our local people  then please assist with a donation. This money is used 100% for community upliftment programs on the basis of eco-tourism