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Robin Opperman |

The Umcebo Trust is Robin's brainchild and grew out of his work as the Art Teacher at Ningizimu School for the Severely Mentally Handicapped in Durban, South Africa. Umcebo is the Zulu word meaning "treasure." The Umcebo Trust is a public benefit non-profit organization whose main aim is to establish a studio workspace for people to use and develop their artistic talents as a means of personal and creative development, as well as to generate income. The focus is also on inclusion, for people to develop mutual understanding and awareness, for everyone ias a valuable member of the community, who can train and be trained in a mutual exchange of ideas and skills. The long term vision is to develop work spaces such as this for people throughout the country. Read more about their accomplishments at www.umcebotrust.co.za
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The crafters have developed traditional Zulu arts into a fine arts enterprise. Pieces such as these cacti are commissioned by embassies, corporations, schools, and other public institutions. Private collectors have also commissioned these amazing works of wire and beads. For details www.umcebotrust.co.za. |
This award recognizes him as the top teacher in South Africa. He was one of nine competitors for the title, all winners of the provincial rounds held in October 2001. Robin and his students also represented South Africa in Kuala Lumpur at the Malaysian Special Arts Festival. He is pictured here with Joyce Gumede, a former Class Aid, who he considers to be "a guiding light in most of the work that we do."

Contact:
Dr. Dé Bryant,
Director
Social Action Project
Psychology Department, Indiana University South Bend
1700 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN 46634
(574) 520-4447 -- tel (574) 520-4538 -- fax
dbryant@iusb.edu