The enterprise of craft: constraints and policy challenges in South Africa

Abstract

English:In South Africa a growing policy focus is support for the development of craft enterprises. Policy interest in the craft sector derives from its close linkages with tourism. The aim of this article is to provide a critical analysis of the major constraints that confront the craft sector in South Africa. It is argued that policy interventions must deal with the problems of both those groups of craft enterprises which are oriented to external markets as well as those which are more narrowly focused on local markets.Afrikaans: ’n Groeiende beleidsfokus in Suid-Afrika is ondersteuning vir die ontwikkeling van handewerkondernemings. Beleidsbelangstelling in die handewerksektor spruit uit die noue verbinding van díe sektor met toerisme. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om ’n kritiese ontleding te lewer van die belangrike beleidsprobleme wat die handewerksektor in Suid-Afrika in die gesig staar. Daarit word geargumenteer dat beleidingryping die probleme van beide groepe handewerkondernemings moet aanspreek, naamlik ondernemings wat georiënteer is tot eksterne markte sowel as ondernemings wat meer gefokus is op plaaslike markte.