The Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality and Eastern Cape MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Sibulele Ngongo, officially handed over the Alice Craft Center to residents of Loyd Village on 08 December 2025. The handover formed part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign and emphasized efforts to support women and children through sustainable development.
What Happened?
Community members gathered in Loyd Village as leaders celebrated a project designed to strengthen livelihoods and protect cultural heritage. Acting Mayor Councilor Elton Bantam welcomed the initiative and praised the partnership between the municipality and the provincial department.
“We must appreciate such initiatives that uplift women in our communities, more especially given the cases we have of gender-based violence in our municipality,” he said.
Mama Ningi, founder of the Craft Center, expressed deep gratitude. She said the building would help artisans preserve traditional skills and earn income through their work. The project has been years in the making, with the community hoping it will create long-term opportunities for young people and women artisans.
In her keynote speech, MEC Ngongo stressed the importance of arts and culture in building resilient and economically active communities. She said the center would help create jobs, protect heritage, and support learners interested in creative industries.
Additional Community Support
The event also included a donation to Siphumile Primary School. The department supplied:
- Sports kits
- Balls
- Training equipment
The donation aims to improve sports participation and encourage young learners to develop their athletic abilities.
Why It Matters?
The Alice Craft Center is expected to become a creative hub for local craftspeople. It will offer a dedicated workspace where artisans can produce, display, and sell their handcrafted items. The project supports township-based enterprise, community pride, and cultural preservation.
Municipal officials said the center aligns with broader efforts to strengthen local economies and protect vulnerable groups—particularly women affected by unemployment or gender-based violence.
