The History of Telephone Wire Weaving in the Foothills of South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains

The Zulu population of Elandsberg Farm, about 50 km south of Dundee, in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, lives from subsistence farming, from the money sent home by migrant workers who are still able to find work in the city, and from government subsidies and pensions. Unemployment in this area, which has been particularly hard hit by AIDS, is almost 80%. The poverty and hopelessness of the local community motivated them to revive traditional local crafts, such as basket weaving and beadwork, in order to create jobs.

The idea for Wezandla Crafts was born in 1996. The Zulu word Wezandla, meaning "with the hands," was intended to symbolize handcrafted products, but also to reach out and help others with one's own hands. Most of the people reached were women. The idea of ​​using their traditional skills to create crafts at home in their free time was born. The focus of Wezandla was to give local women the opportunity to develop their beadwork skills, but also to learn sewing.

Over time, the need to address unemployment among men and young men became increasingly urgent. An opportunity arose in 2002 to learn the skill of telephone wire weaving, which has its origins in traditional grass weaving techniques and would provide a craft for men. Senzokuhle Wire Co. was formed. The name was suggested by the weavers themselves and reflects the pride they take in using their newfound skill to produce many wonderfully colorful pieces. Roughly translated, it means "well done."

At Senzokuhle, after 15 years, over 800 people have learned a new marketable skill. Not all of them are full-time employees. Some only produce while in the area, then return to the cities to try to find work. Our hope is to create enough markets so that the artisans can support themselves and their families with their craft. Many are already able to make a living from it and earn enough money for lobola (the bride's price). Typically, an initial lobola payment requires at least two head of cattle.

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