Articles

Gritz And Glamour In Harmony

2010-02-18

Shedding their heels, builder’s gloves and shovels in hands,

The jewellery industry, represented by Uwe Koetter Jewellers director, Johan Louw, and the Marketing Team put their backs and hearts into helping to build homes for informal settlement families.

In the true spirit of giving back to the community, Uwe Koetter Jewellers deliver their own diamonds to help enhance the community by digging and painting for their future.

“The jewellery industry tends to conjure up images of opulence, indulgence and glamour, that perception is of course mostly accurate. Here at Uwe Koetter Jewellers however, we are of the belief that giving back to the community not only fulfils our philanthropic duties, but gives back to the communities that are less in need of glamour and more in need of sustainable assistance”, says Johan Louw.

Companies do their bit, either for Black Economic Empowerment compliance or Responsible Tourism, genuine concern or in some cases mere business interests, but very few bring these struggling communities into their shops or offices.

Uwe Koetter Jewellers not only go out to dig, mix concrete and paint, but they purchase arts and crafts hand made by the community and sell them on to the many tourists and customers that visit their shops.

“In our shop we not only sell their goods, we have a photo montage display with information explaining exactly where they have come from. We believe it is a great opportunity for visitors to experience and see where their souvenirs come from, especially as many of them may not have the opportunity to visit the communities in person”, adds Johan Louw.

With the Soccer World Cup just less than 200 days away, what better way to show the rest of the world how companies can readily interact with less fortunate South Africans, giving them a platform to benefit from this huge event.