Documentary filmmaker Obakeng Malope has launched a unique campaign aimed at helping young people in South Africa through an unlikely source: beer. With high unemployment rates in the country, Malope has collaborated with breweries from around the world to raise funds for brewing training and business skills. The “Beer is Art” campaign has already partnered with several American breweries and has plans for further collaborations. In this article, we delve into Malope’s goals for the project and explore how these collaborations can provide opportunities for the youth in South Africa.
Obakeng Malope has always been fascinated by beer. Even while touring the world as a filmmaker, he would make it a point to explore the beer scene in each country he visited. His interest led him to take classes on brewing with Brewster’s Craft, where he learned the basics of beer production. Malope then furthered his knowledge by visiting breweries in South Africa, where he found a supportive and enthusiastic beer community willing to teach him their skills.
Malope’s big break came when he saw an advertisement on Facebook for The Road to 100 Cicerone Certification Program. This fellowship, initiated by American woman Eugenia Brown, aimed to empower women of color in the beer industry. Malope was one of the two South Africans selected to participate in the program, which provided training by beer educators and industry professionals. Inspired by this experience, Malope founded the “Beer is Art” campaign with the goal of using beer to empower and transform the lives of unemployed young people in South Africa.
The “Beer is Art” campaign focuses on teaching various aspects of the beer industry to individuals over the age of 21. The program includes training in beer brewing, licensing, Cicerone beer education, podcasting, starting a beer brand or brewery, and beer and food pairings. By providing these skills and knowledge, the campaign aims to transform beer into a viable career path. Collaboration brews play a significant role in the campaign’s fundraising efforts. When a brewery partners with “Beer is Art,” they brew a beer specifically labeled with the campaign’s logo, and a portion of the sales proceeds are donated to support the project. These funds are used to compensate professional beer educators and cover the costs of brewing licenses, brewery visits, equipment, and educational materials.
The “Beer is Art” campaign recognizes the importance of involving the community in its efforts. Malope’s own community has a long history of brewing traditional sorghum beer and possesses valuable indigenous beer knowledge. By tapping into this collective wisdom, the campaign aims to teach students about the rich cultural heritage of brewing in South Africa. Additionally, the South African beer scene abounds with passionate individuals who are eager to share their expertise. The campaign ensures that the youth being taught are not simply trained to be ordinary beer makers; they are encouraged to create beers that tell stories, allowing them to express their unique narratives.
Prior to the “Beer is Art” campaign, Malope had not considered beer as a global drink due to religious restrictions in certain cultures, such as Islam. However, he connected with a brewer living in New York, who originally hailed from Iran. This encounter enlightened Malope about the rich historical roots of beer brewing, as the earliest evidence of beer production was discovered in Iran. This realization deepened his belief that beer has always been a global drink, bringing people from different cultures together throughout history. Beer residues found in the graves of Egyptian royalty further solidify the notion that beer has been a prevalent beverage throughout human civilization.
The “Beer is Art” campaign spearheaded by Obakeng Malope represents a unique endeavor to empower young people in South Africa through the medium of beer. By collaborating with breweries worldwide, Malope aims to provide brewing training and business skills to unemployed youth, transforming beer into a viable career path. With community involvement and a focus on indigenous beer knowledge, the project seeks to preserve both cultural heritage and individual storytelling through the creation of unique beers. This campaign not only highlights the global history of beer but also showcases its potential as a force for positive change and empowerment.
To learn more about how to support or get involved in the “Beer is Art” campaign, visit the official website.
Leave a Reply