Fair Trade Day 2010

As Fair Trade Day comes round again we are reminded of what Fair Trade means and what it’s all about. One would not be mistaken in thinking that Fair Trade is just about encouraging ethical and fair trade practises. This is indeed a big part of it, but it is just a part of it.
As Umtha participated in the Fair Trade Day, on the 8th of May at the Tokai Farmers Market, it was just one of the many companies worldwide, standing for and promoting the standards of Fair Trade.

World Fair Trade Day at the Tokai Market

Promoting Fair Trade is not just about encouraging ethical business, it means embracing and upholding a certain standard of business such that it becomes the fabric of who you are as a company and as a people. Such standards include;
· Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers.

Artisan giving a practical demo

· Transparency and accountability.
· Capacity building.
· Promoting Fair Trade.
· Payment of a fair price.
· Better environmental practises.
· Long term trade relations based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect.

Representatives from the various arms of the Fair Trade Organisation.

· Gender equity
· Safe and healthy working conditions
· Respect and adherence of child labour laws.

Basically Fair Trade is about putting the 'heart' back into business!

With these standards ingrained in our businesses, Umtha and few other companies such as African Home, Bean There/Back to Africa, Waxit, and Township Patterns celebrated Fair Trade day together, to remind each other why we do this and hopefully raise awareness and encourage other companies to do the same.

Umtha Jewellery & Township Patterns

We had the exhibit at the Tokai farmers market, a lovely location that reflects some of the beauty of the Western Cape. It was a beautiful day, as the rain let up and the sun broke through the clouds to make it the perfect day for an outdoor market.