Recent Blogs:

Creating opportunities one nail at a time

The Outreach Foundation nail course started in the middle of February 2020. It is the first course of its kind the organisation has offered, and the response has been incredible. Both men and women registered for the Introduction to Nail Technician course.

Run over five weeks, the course not only deals with manicures, pedicures, acrylics and gel but also covers other compulsory subjects. These subjects include the introduction to entrepreneurship, introduction to financial literacy, basic computers, leadership development as well as self-awareness and job preparedness. The compulsory subjects are part of each of the new courses the organisation now offers.

According to Johan Robyn, Outreach Foundation’s skills development programme manager, the new courses the organisation now offers, such as this one, is aimed at improving the employability for job seekers and those interested in entrepreneurship. 

“We felt that we needed to do something to help the many unemployed in our country. During our assessments with the people who come into our premises, we identified several courses that they felt would be helpful in either starting their own company or assisting them in getting a job.

“The response to this course shows us that our decision to offer it was a good one. And at the end of the course, those who wish to start their own nail business will go through our one-month entrepreneurial incubation hub where they will get mentorship, supervision, social media training and more. We aim to help start-ups as much as we can.”

The nail course trainer, Nicole Kisimba Nkulu, is no stranger to the industry or training. She has extensive experience not only with nails but as a beauty therapist. She worked in a salon and worked on the Refugee Children’s Project in 2018, where she taught some of the people how to do nails.

“I’m very excited to teach at Outreach Foundation. It is a really good course. It helps people live and survive as they get skills which help them start their own business. The course will encourage them to look at ways to use their skills such as renting space in a salon which will give them access to clients and a safe environment.”

Robyn said that Outreach Foundation would hopefully also offer a make-up course soon, which goes well with the nail course.

“If students complete both courses, the beauty entrepreneurs will be able to offer a full beauty service at weddings, parties and more. And if they do the sewing and fashion design courses, they will have even more to offer!”

Those interested in the next intake of the nail course or any of the other courses offered should contact Outreach Foundation on 011 720 7011 or email info@outreachfoundation.co.za.

The other courses Outreach Foundation offers are an introduction to sewing and fashion design; basic computer course; introduction to bricklaying; introduction to plastering; introduction to welding; introduction to carpentry; introduction to plumbing; point of sale; food preparation; introduction to urban farming and introduction to English. To view the training course pamphlet, go to www.outreachfoundation.co.za.

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Recent Media Coverage:

Alex News Coverage - Art is alive and kicking in the City of Joburg

JOHANNESBURG – This year’s Arts Alive festival promises to be even much better and empowers residents of Johannesburg City region.1 day ago

MMC Nonhlanhla Sifumba talks to members of the Media. Photo: Phathu Luvhengo

The mayor of the City of Johannesburg, councillor Herman Mashaba believes the Arts Alive International Festival will give residents in the city region hope.

Mashaba spoke at the launch of this year’s festival on Thursday 29 August at the Joburg Theatre and said that when he became the mayor of the City, he focused his first State of the City Address on the ‘forgotten people’. “We cannot have a situation where we forget about our residents,” he said.

“We have to bring them into the mainstream of our economy and I think we are committed to doing that.”

He said the arts is going to save the City of Johannesburg and help build society as everything revolves around arts.

Mashaba added that he had extensively travelled the world and, in any country, he has ever been, he has made sure that he goes to see the arts in that country.

He thanked the MMC for Community Development, councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba and her team for making the arts part of the mayoral priority which will assist them in driving the economy and build the people.

The City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba says the arts will give residents of Johannesburg hope. Photo: Phathu Luvhengo

Sifumba said the City was showcasing artists and their talent during the Arts Alive Festival. Various activities are planned citywide for the entire September to mark Heritage Month. “This is the 27th Arts Alive and, as the City of Johannesburg, we are proud to be part of it – it’s a month-long programme. If you are not living in the City, please relocate because the spring is here,” she said.

Sifumba said their programme will run for the whole month of September. “Arts Alive is about exploring our culture in the City of Johannesburg. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, so Arts Alive is about celebrating that.”

This year Arts Alive Festival launched with Jazz on the Lake on Sunday, 1 September, kicking off a long and stimulating programme for all residents. The festival is a programme which celebrates Joburg’s diversity through music, dance, theatre, community festivals, educational workshops, and art exhibitions.

The 15th InnerCity High School Drama Festival started on Friday, 30 August and will run until Saturday, 7 September where the best production award will be presented to the top high school by the Outreach Foundation. Forty schools have registered to participate in this film production.

The Gauteng Government will host the Intellectual Property and Music Rights Workshop to assist in avoiding the ills experienced by artists in South Africa at Eyethu Lifestyle Centre in Mofolo, Soweto on 16 September.

Among other activities include the inter-continental dance championships to be attended by 15 countries at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg from 26 to 29 September. The dance championship is hosted by the Dance Supreme. The Beat Makers will host a workshop on 21 September to inspire children using music in Region C.

From 13 to 15 September, FNB Art Joburg will host an exhibition with a strong lifestyle component of the fair, encouraging visitors to interact with South African and African creative networks at Sandton Convention Centre.

Details: City of Johannesburg www.arts-alive.co.za; 011 407 6024.

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