We Are

Located at the foot of the Makonjwa 3.5 billion year old mountain - one of the most scenic and gold rich areas in South Africa, Umjindi Jewellery Projects is a community development project that is focused on personal upliftment and community enrichment. We successfully integrate a cultural and creative aspect into the development of the rural community. We teach skills that can benefit not only the breadwinner of the families, but also successfully stimulate the creative soul of the community.

About

Umjindi Jewellery Project

Launched by Vukani Ubuntu, service providers to the Umjindi Municipality on 30 July 2002, Umjindi Jewellery Project is the largest community development project in Mpumalanga. It creates immediate employment for 7 people and has todate trained 60 jewellery manufacture and design students (previously disadvantaged individuals).

The project is ideally situated on the Barberton Heritage Walk and fits in with a strong tourism initiative for Barberton.

Barberton

Barberton's origin lies in the discovery of gold. The Barber brothers and their cousin Graham were prospecting in a rift at the foot of the Ingudu mountains near Barberton. They came upon a rich gold reef and proceeded to stake a claim. Just the following day, the Imvoti Reef, next to the Barber's claim was discovered. Hundreds of people converged on Barberton to share in the prosperity, envisaging a paradise where money was to be made. Edwin Bray's discovery of the Golden Quarry in 1885, so named because it looked as if the rock was formed entirely of gold, resulted in the mine becoming well known throughout the world.

Today Sheba Mine is one of the oldest and richest working gold mines in the world, having been in production for more than a century. It is estimated that production will continue for several decades to come.

The Benefits of the Project

  • Empowering underprivileged communities, and the individuals to realise their full potential.
  • Provide quality careers and technological empowerment.
  • Forge partnerships based on sound business principles contributing to national goals
  • Promote South African art locally and internationally
  • The project boasts an Espresso Bar and Gallery which acts as a curio shop where tourists can purchase uniquely crafted jewellery, artefacts, and art from local artists.
  • With the development and growth of the project more employment possibilities will be created.