Fabric & Beads
Elandsberg farm, in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, borders on tribal land where Zulus survive on subsistence farming, money sent home from migrant workers, government grants and pensions. Unemployment was close to 80% when they were moved to take action. The idea for a Crafting project was conceived in 1996, when they wanted to teach women who were already busy with chores such as collecting firewood and cattle tending, to manufacture crafts in their spare time. Today they have trained close on 200 people in various beadwork techniques.As they progressed, the need to address unemployment among men, especially young men, became increasingly important. In 2002 they started to teach the skill of telephone wire weaving, a craft with its roots in traditional grass weaving. They formed WIRE CO, a name that means, “well made”. After just 3 years they taught over 400 people (men, women and the youth) a new marketable skill. Our hope is to grow these markets sufficiently so the crafters can support themselves and their families on their handiwork.
