South Africa: Splendour in the grass

Grass Incorporated Manufacturing Artists (Gima) employees collect lengths of rope and cart them back to a factory and shop at Casterbridge Farm, an upmarket shopping and dining centre in White River. Gima creates employment for about 500 grass collectors and pays them for the rope they produce. The company employs another 60 people at the factory, where the rope is made into mats, blinds and furniture. These products are sold to 27 shops around Africa and to passing tourists. The Department for International Development gave funding to start the project.