It was 2006 and I (Toni Burton) was appointed Ceramics lecturer at a College for skills transfer in the local community of Masiphumulele.
Sixty trainees were selected to be part of Zizamele Ceramics, a “learn-and-earn” opportunity! All received an 18-month training in ceramics skills, numeracy, literacy and life-skills. They were taught hand-building ceramic skills, wheel work and how to do hand-painting while developing artisanal products they could take to market. South African art and design was the flavour of the month due to our recent rainbow nation and Nelson Mandela and the local handmade craft scene was booming at the time!
