Jikani

Hogsback's own centre for finding, creating, and growing jobs.

It was in response to the frighteningly high unemployment statistics in the Nkonkobe Municipality if the Eastern Cape in South Africa. In the 2011 Census, this was reported at 63%, resulting in grinding poverty for the majority of black people living in the area.

Hogsback, a village in the mountains, was no exception. It was urgent that the cycle of unemployment - poverty - depression be broken. When a building on the Main Road previously housing a bottle store became available, this group, motivated by Wongama Copiso, took the decision to work actively for a major change.

Jikani, loosely translated, means About turn. Initially this Centre will provide a means of matching up demand for workers with card-carrying applicants whose records and backgrounds have been checked.

It will also engage local expertise in the development of marketable skills among the unemployed, including

* Internships for office and business practice;

* Computer Skills;

* Building skills - bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electricals, plastering, painting etc;

* Wooden garden screens, arches and trellises made from local timber;

* Needlework- school uniforms, garments, embroidery, soft furnishings, knitting etc;*
* Beadwork;

* Kiln firing of ornamental animals currently made by tribesmen;

* with courses on First Aid and Home Nursing, Nutrition, Further Literacy .etc;
* a Charity Shop selling used clothing, books and household items;
* a Soup Kitchen
* a Laundry service
A long-term goal is to complete the half-finished house on the property and provide a home for AIDS orphans and vulnerable children,

The Centre opened on 1st March, 2013 and was registered as a Non Profit Organisation Number 126-277- NPO on 1 September 2013