High-end jewellery manufacturing is a specialised skill, and highly skilled jewellers in South Africa and worldwide are considered a scarce commodity.

A Diploma in Design and Studio Art at the Central University of Technology is a qualification across the design and art spectrum that features a comprehensive multidisciplinary view where students are encouraged to pursue, debate and prioritise real-world issues as innovative persons.

In 2014, all of CUT’s Art and Design programmes, including the Jewellery School, merged into one unique multi-skilled qualification where students can specialise in various design majors, including jewellery design and manufacturing. The aim was to harness and extend students’ knowledge, skills, and creativity with a critical idea-driven approach across graphic design, fashion design, jewellery design, fine art and photography, coupled with a unique technology approach.

Earlier this year, the Department of Design and Studio Art (DDSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kimberley International Diamond and Jewellery Academy (KIDJA) in Kimberley as well as Cloud 10 Solutions in Welkom.

In the light of this and with the beneficiation of South Africa’s precious commodities in mind, the CUT School for Jewellery Design and Manufacturing was born. Similarly, the KIDJA emerged in Kimberley, focusing on diamond cutting and grading training. The training of Jewellers and diamond cutting specialists has provided alternative career opportunities for talented youths in the light of ailing mining activities in the Free State and Northern Cape, subsequently feeding an emerging jewellery and diamond industry with capable graduates.

The MoU is envisioned to provide support and strengthen the capabilities of all three entities to provide a piece of highly specialised knowledge and assistance to diamond and jewellery students as well as trainers and lecturers. This unique collaboration aims to create a cross-dependent platform in the jewellery industry, including the amalgamation of jewellery design and manufacturing, diamond cutting and grading, IT support and 4IR technological innovations.

Through this MoU, the parties will exchange valuable research supporting curriculum development, facilitate staff and student exchange and initiate collaborative projects. The MoU is the first step in the right direction for more meaningful collaboration between diamond and jewellery manufacturers. The venture is also a potential supporting structure for the upcoming diamond and jewellery designers, manufacturers, and the entire jewellery industry in central South Africa.  

Cloud 10 Solutions is a young Dynamic ICT Solutions provider in Welkom, focusing on Smart Mobility Application Solutions, Internet Solutions, and research and development through various socio-economic business and citizen-focused technological development programs.

“In this partnership with DDSA, KIDJA, we look forward to re-purpose our facility, previously known as the Virginia Jewellery Hub. Through this collaboration, new opportunities will arise for young people in our district to pursue jewellery design and manufacturing short courses, internship programs, and incubation opportunities for graduates looking to start new businesses,” said Mr Masitsa, Executive Chairman of Cloud 10 Solutions.

Caption

Standing, from left: Mr B.S. Masitsa, Executive Chairman of Cloud 10 Solutions and Mr E.L. Holmes, Lecturer and Jewellery Coordinator at CUT. Seated, from left: Ms M. Barnard, Head of the Department of Design and Studio Art at CUT and Ms D. Sengoara, Executive Director of Cloud 10 Solutions.