Ufafa women turn to crafts

Published Oct 7, 2017

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Durban - With sweeping views of the Ufafa Valley as the source of their inspiration, local women crafters from the south of the province are making their mark with fabrics and earning an income.

The range, called Ufafa Valley Fabrics, will be launched at an exhibition at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts (KZNSA) on October 17.

One mother, Sindi Mtolo, is one of the 24 women who form the group.

With no income and three children to feed, she was taken in by the Woza Moya team.

“Woza Moya taught me how to make crafts. What I love most about it is that through this craftwork I am able to provide for my children,” she said.

The craft enterprise is part of a holistic approach by Woza Moya, who provide home-based health care for those affected by HIV/Aids in the region.

The women started off knitting items, and making soft toys. Now they’ve grown to taking on the project of fabric designs.

It started off a range of hand-embroidered images, originally designed by Leonie Malherbe, which have now been digitally printed onto fabric to be made into a contemporary product range.

Angela Shaw of the KZNSA was commissioned to advise on range planning, product design and market presentation.

“It is the KZNSA’s mandate to grow the creative economy in KZN and to bring the wealth of talent we have in the province to market. 

“We jumped at the opportunity to share design and market insights and to contribute directly to high-end handmade products that could be exhibited in the KZNSA gallery and retailed in our shop,” she said.

Benedicta Memela, sustainable livelihoods manager at Woza Moya, said the women were now able to buy food and take their children to school.

“The difference the craft projects have made to the lives of the women is amazing. One mother was able to send her child to study a computer course and now the child is working. 

“That may not have happened if the mom was not part of the programme here. Other women have built their own rondavels from the money they earn,” she said.

During the creative process, crafters were given guidelines on colour, shape and product engineering, but the women were encouraged to use their own creativity.

“With input from commercial designers, the embroidery designs have been converted to prints that are now available as stationery and textile ranges. 

“The fabrics will be developed into interior and clothing lines to generate income for the crafters, and sustainability for the organisation. The fabrics are a printed version of crafters’ own embroidery work. 

“The embroiderers then do freestyle embroidery onto the fabric to add texture and depth, and to enhance their own designs which have been converted to prints,” said director of Woza Moya, Sue Hedden.

The Independent on Saturday

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