On This Day - Historic Deal to end Apartheid in South Africa

26 September 1992

President FW de Klerk and ANC leader Nelson Mandela reach a deal for the process to majority rule in South Africa at a summit in Johannesburg.

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The Art of the Zulu Basket

This traditional art form is an important way for Zulu women to make a living, or to supplement their incomes. Working at home, they can combine basket making into their normal routine of raising their children and daily chores.

Each Zulu basket is woven by hand, using indigenous raw materials. All the dye colours are natural. It can take up to a month to make a medium sized basket, that will be unique in size, shape, pattern and colour.

Baskets with lids such as these are known locally as 'uKhamba'.

See our selection of fine baskets here -

 http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=22



Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted during its 62nd session in New York City on 13 September 2007.

The UN describes it as –

… "an important standard for the treatment of indigenous people, that will undoubtedly be a significant tool towards eliminating human rights violations, and assist in combating discrimination and marginalization."

It is estimated that indigenous people number 370 million across the world.

Here is a selection of the traditional work of some of these people:

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The Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery

The Abolition of Slavery Act

By 1783, an Anti-Slavery movement to abolish the Slave Trade throughout the Empire had begun among the British public.

In 1785, the English poet William Cowper wrote:

"We have no slaves at home – Then why abroad? Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs receive our air, that moment they are free. They touch our country, and their shackles fall. That's noble, and bespeaks a nation proud. And jealous of the blessing. Spread it then, And let it circulate through every vein."

In fact, Slavery was officially abolished in most of the British Empire on 1 August 1834.

The Royal Assent to the Bill was given on 28 August 1833, making it law.

Image and text courtesy of -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833

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Bead Dolls of the Ndebele People

Making the beaded dolls enables more than 70 women to enjoy the flexibility of working from home, and the ability to earn an independent income in an area where there are very few job opportunities.

These dolls are distinguished by their heavily beaded body bands, and bead coronets - a symbol of higher status.

View our selection of these dolls here -

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=6&page=2