Rooiboklaagte Introduction to Arts and Crafts

NEEDS HEADLINE

Hosted from the Mapusha Weavers studio at New Dawn Centre, this six-week introductory programme gave local participants the opportunity to explore several creative disciplines in a supportive community setting. The programme combined practical learning, community contribution and recognition of each participant’s achievement. It became an early foundation for Kulani’s longer-term approach to training, mentorship and market access.

30: Recorded graduates
6: Core craft disciplines
6mth: Training period
2022: Programme year

The Story

Starting with what was available and building from there.

Kulani worked with Mapusha Weavers, Rekamuka Pottery Studio and local creative facilitators to create an accessible introduction to art and craft for community participants. The programme included art, pottery, sewing, macrame, crochet and knitting. After the introductory phase, selected participants were given the opportunity to begin learning weaving alongside Mapusha Weavers. Participants also made knitted and crocheted beanies for premature babies at the local hospital. Sponsors paid for the makers’ labour, allowing the women to earn an income while the finished beanies were donated to new mothers. The programme concluded with certificates, a shared meal and a celebration of the participants’ work.

The Makers

People and Partners.

The programme was delivered through local knowledge, shared facilities and practical teaching.

Host and Weaving Partner

Mapusha Weavers

Provided the training venue and created a pathway for selected participants to continue into weaving.

Pottery Partner

Rekamuka Pottery Studio

Simbi led the introductory pottery component and shared practical ceramic skills.

Programme Coordination

Kulani Collective

Coordinated the programme and facilitated macrame, crochet, knitting, certificates and community initiatives.

Every artisan name & portrait shown publicly is used with written consent.

Goals

What the project set out to achieve.

iIntroduce participants to a practical range of arts and crafts.
iiHelp participants identify the disciplines they wanted to develop further.
iiiBuild confidence through hands-on learning and completed work.
ivCreate a pathway into weaving and established artisan networks.
vRecognise achievement through certificates and celebration.
viUse craft to meet a community need without asking makers to work without pay.

Impact

What the work has put in place or achieved to date.

iA six-week community training programme was completed.
iiParticipants gained first-hand exposure to six different creative disciplines.
iiiArt, pottery, sewing and fibre-craft facilitators worked within one shared programme.
ivSelected participants progressed from introductory training towards weaving.
vMakers were paid to produce beanies that were donated to premature babies.
viParticipants completed the programme with certificates and a community celebration.

Traceability & Transparency

The foundations of a maker-centred approach.

This early project pre-dated Kulani's current digital traceability system, but the principle was already present: the maker, process and place mattered.

Archive photographs, certificates and product stories can now reconnect the work to the people who took part, provided that names and images are used with consent.