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From its inception, The African Toyshop has been based on generally accepted principles of Fair Trade. ‘Fair trade’ is a concept that has developed to make sure that producers in the developing world receive the credit and financial rewards they are due.

Because of this commitment, we are now a member of – Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa, an institutional regional platform for key global Fair Trade body, the International Federation for Alternative Trade Network/International Fair Trade Association (IFAT). 		 
Broadly speaking, fair trade contains the following principles
– all of which The African Toyshop complies with:
     Toymakers are paid a fair price for their toys – usually the asking price and sometimes more (although a 
       small discount is requested for bulk orders). As a result, toys may at times appear more expensive than if 
       ‘bargained for’ directly from the toymaker, since such bargaining often results in toys being sold at less
       than  it costs to produce them.

    Toymakers are paid up to 50% of the cost of the toys on order (the remainder being paid on delivery). This 
       ensures that the cost of purchasing raw materials does not place a burden on the limited financial
       resources  of the toymaker’s family.

   Toymakers are encouraged (and, where possible, assisted) to form co-operatives and to train others in
       their  communities to assist in making the toys, thereby ensuring that wealth is spread throughout the
       community.  Toymakers are also encouraged to ensure more women are involved in toy making in their
       communities.

   Toymakers are encouraged to replace natural resources (trees and reed-grasses) to ensure environmental 
       sustainability. In time, the Toyshop hopes to enter into agreements with all of those using wood to plant 
       trees to replace those used.

   Toymakers are provided with feedback from customers on their toys. This enables them to remain
       competitive and relevant and also provides toymakers with new ideas for  toys.

   Toymakers are provided with feedback from customers on
       their toys. This enables them to remain competitive and
       relevant and also provides toymakers with new ideas for
       toys.

   Toymakers are encouraged (and, where possible, assisted)
       to comply with international health and safety standards. 
      This aims to ensure that the toys produced  are able to be
      sold in as many countries as possible. 

      Although difficult given that child-safe paints, sealants and so
      on are not readily vailable in many African countries), the
      Toyshop continues to investigate ways of providing such 
      products to toymakers.
 Cooperation for Fair
      Trade in Africa
     (COFTA)

  International Fair
      Trade Association
      (IFAT)

  Fair Trade Federation 

  The Fair Trade           
     Foundation

  European Fair Trade 
      Association

There are various Fair Trade organisations in existence – most set up to regulate trade (especially in commodities like coffee, fruit, tea and sugar) between northern, developed countries and southern, developing nations. Because the idea behind Fair Trade originated in the north, membership of most organisations is restricted to northern hemisphere countries.

For others, like the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), membership is only granted to businesses that have been trading for at least two years. As a result, the Toyshop does not yet belong to any of these.

However, the Toyshop has recently joined the only fair trade related organisation in Africa – the Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA).

Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA)


COFTA provides an active platform for African producers to dialogue and build coalitions to raise awareness about Fair Trade in local, regional, continental and international communities. 

The network operates at two levels:

  Helping to develop, consolidate, and advance the core mission
     and  objectives of the global Fair Trade Movement within the
     context   of  African cultures and markets;

  Offering and providing technical guidance and market support  
     through   networking arrangements, collective resources and 
     advocacy for policies   and favorable measures to producers within
     the continent and at the   global level.
 
THE AFRICAN TOYSHOP
Johannesburg, South Africa
+27 83 5417 617		  

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