World Fair Trade Day

Umtha was one of the proud participants of the World Fair Trade day 2009. Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach to empowering developing country producers and promoting sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods.

This years theme was the BIG BANG!! It started with a lone drummer in the Chatham Islands at first light and ended at last light in Samoa. It was exciting for us to be part of this global movement that stretched across 5 continents and over 70 countries.

South Africa celebrated the World fair Trade Day by hosting two events in Cape Town. On Friday the 8th of May, Fair Trade South Africa held a Networking Cocktail at the Vineyard Hotel where Sheryl Ozinsky, former CEO of Cape Town Tourism and Cape Town Routes Unlimited was the invited speaker for the evening. This event was well attended and proved to be a huge success.

The Vineyard hotel served delicious food (from Fair Trade producers in keeping with the vision of the evening), to the delight of all who attended, and Lara Cawood assisted to create a warm jazzy ambiance with her seemingly effortless skill on the electric piano. All in all it was an enjoyable evening.

The second event was on Saturday the 9th of May. At this event South African Fair Trade organisations displayed their products in the V & A Waterfront. The exhibit was aimed at raising public awareness and promoting Fair Trade among consumers.

This was a fun filled day of activities such lucky draws, comedian skits and various displays. Umtha played its part and had a table with some of our jewellery on display and a few of our employees offering a helping hand and a ready smile.