DESIGN THINKING AFRICA

Design Thinking Africa's Goldsmith and Lapidary Atelier, set to launch in the historic mining town of Luanshya, Zambia, is more than just a training programme—it's a groundbreaking initiative perfectly rooted in the heart of Zambia's mining legacy. Known for its rich history in mineral extraction, Luanshya provides the ideal foundation for this transformative project, blending its mining heritage with a vision for the future of responsible gemstone cutting and jewellery manufacturing. This initiative seeks to honour Luanshya's mining roots by fostering a new era of value addition, turning raw minerals into finely crafted jewellery. By empowering local artisans, uplifting the community, and promoting responsible practices, the Atelier aims to establish Luanshya as a centre of excellence for gemstone cutting and jewellery manufacturing. Luanshya's story as a mining town makes it the perfect home for an initiative that bridges the past with a future of innovation and sustainability in the luxury goods sector. #LuanshyaHeritage #ZambianHistory #MiningTown #SustainableFuture #Craftsmanship #ZambianGemstones #ArtisanEmpowerment #AfricanExcellence #CulturalRoots #LuxuryWithPurpose

🌟 From Vision to Reality: Transforming Communities Through Design Thinking 🌟 Design Thinking Africa is proud to announce the Goldsmith and Lapidary Atelier Program, launching in January 2024 at TVTC in Luanshya. This groundbreaking program will train participants in goldsmithing, gemstone cutting, and teaching methodology, empowering them to become leaders and instructors, driving sustainable change within their communities. 📋 Currently undergoing TEVETA accreditation, this program ensures the highest standards of technical and vocational training in Zambia. Join us on this transformative journey where art meets sustainability and empowerment sparks innovation. 📢 Enrollment opens soon! Stay connected to learn how you can participate in this impactful initiative. #DesignThinkingAfrica #EmpowermentThroughDesign #ZambianCraftsmanship #GoldsmithingWithImpact #InnovationInArtisanship #TVTC #TEVETA

Last year, with support from the Mejuri Empowerment Fund, we launched the Design Thinking for Extractive Communities pilot program in Ndola to tackle unemployment among female gem cutters. Based on the insights and lessons learned, we are pleased to announce that the programme has been submitted for accreditation by the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority - TEVETA). Once approved, it will be part of their accredited curricula, becoming a nationally recognised qualification. This new programme offers a key opportunity for aspiring goldsmiths and gem cutters in Zambia. It will be interdisciplinary, covering all aspects of the jewellery and gemstone business. The aim is to train a new generation of skilled professionals, driving innovation and sustainable growth in Zambia's jewellery industry. The Technical and Vocational Teacher College (Technical and Vocational Teachers' College (TVTC)), founded in 1975, has played a key role in training vocational educators and shaping Zambia's workforce since its inception. From January 2025, Design Thinking for Extractive Communities will focus on work based learning for goldsmiths and gem cutters. All participants will be enrolled in the teaching methodology program at TVTC to ensure high standards of education and management. The curriculum aims to build technical skills and foster a culture of continuous improvement, leading to superior craftsmanship and successful workshop operations. The programme seeks to work with mining companies that can provide materials like silver, copper, gold and gemstones for educational use and exhibition projects. Companies willing to support this effort are welcome to partner with Design Thinking Africa. To get involved, contact Executive Director Patricia Inonge Mweene at hello@designthinkingafrica.org.

Zambia, like many African countries, contends with a legacy from colonialism. As it relates to its resources of copper, cobalt, gold, silver, and gemstones, Founder and Jeweler Patricia Inonge Mweene saw that, “the legacy of colonial extraction and exploitation has left a lasting impact, with much of the value from mining and other extractive industries flowing out of the country. Second, there has been a lack of investment in downstream processing activities, so Zambia exports raw materials rather than finished products. Addressing these systemic challenges will be crucial for Zambia to truly benefit from its natural riches.” Thus, she founded the non-profit, Design Thinking Africa to address these key issues. Additionally, Patricia's non-profit serves as an employment and empowerment platform for talented Zambian young women and advises leading jewelry companies on their sustainability efforts. To learn more about the sustainable efforts Patricia is driving within Zambia and beyond, listen to the interview with Patricia on our website: https://lnkd.in/e46XfbRP

Empowering Communities: Design Thinking Africa's Partnership with MEJURI In 2023, Design Thinking Africa partnered with MEJURI, taking a significant step towards sustainable development and community empowerment. We are thrilled to be featured in MEJURI's first sustainability report, published in May 2024, showcasing the impact of our joint efforts. We launched the pilot program for "Design Thinking for Extractive Communities " in September 2023 aimed at teaching precision gemstone cutting and polishing to unemployed female gem cutters in Ndola. In July 2024, Design Thinking Africa signed an MoU with the Technical and Vocational Teacher College (TVTC) in Luanshya. This marks a major milestone in our journey. Design Thinking Africa's long-term vision is to continue upskilling Zambian female gem cutters under the TVTC umbrella and further develop the "Design Thinking for Extractive Communities" program to meet the standards of Zambia's Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training Authority. This partnership shows how collaborative efforts can create lasting, meaningful impacts on communities. Discover more about how our partnership with MEJURI is making a difference in their sustainability report. If your organization is interested in partnering with Design Thinking Africa, please reach out to our Executive Director at hello@designthinkingafrica.org. #GenderEquality #Sustainability #Partnership #CommunityDevelopment #DesignThinkingAfrica #MEJURI #TVTC

In an exclusive interview with Sunday Oyinloye, Publisher, Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable, Patricia speaks about what she’s doing to create wealth and reduce unemployment in Zambia, her organisation’s MoU with the Technical Vocational & Teachers College, Luanshya, Zambia, what African countries can learn from the story of Denmark and other topical issues.

Women of Impact (Part Three) ⭐ In the Spring 2024 edition of Gems&Jewellery magazine, Jennifer-Lynn Archuleta and Olga González, FGA DGA interviewed a group of inspiring women across the gem, jewellery and related industries. Included among these professionals are Patricia Inonge M., Founder and Executive Director of Design Thinking Africa (designthinkingafrica.org) and Founder and Creative Director of INONGE ZITA (inongezita.com); Pia Tonna, Executive Director and Chief Marketing Officer at Fuli Gemstones (fuligemstones.org) and Susan Chandler, Chief Merchandising Officer at Citizen Watch America (citizenwatch.com) and President of the Women’s Jewelry Association. Stay tuned for more great features in the Summer 2024 issue, which will be available soon! Gem-A Members can read the issue here: https://lnkd.in/gVeC5Hhb #GemAofGB #gemmology #careers #studygemmology #global #FGA #DGA #studywithus #GemsandJewellery #gemmologymagazine