Mdukatshani - Fifty Years of Beading

The six months would pass in a flash. The students were serious about their work, and loved being part of a group. There was always something happening at the Learning Centre providing a buzz under the trees. Land reform, childrens’ rights, voter education. It was slow work, making an egg, and there was lots of time for easy chatter. It was a happy period for everyone. The teachers gradually gained in authority as their pupils were quick and eager to learn. Many showed a natural ability, and there were obviously some real stars in the group, although the teachers were not letting on, not yet. “N-e-a-r-l-y right,” they said. “Not bad. Keep trying.” But when the students had gone there were peals of laughter as the teachers stood in awe, examining the work. Graduation took place on a cold autumn day with drizzle. The women arrived early, looking beautiful, and then waited for the guests of honour. What had happened to Solveig, Mathebe and Marisa? There were no mobile phones for making contact, so the women took over the ceremony and danced. With or without the guests of honour, this was a day of celebration. There were still women dancing when the guests arrived at dusk after twice getting lost on the way. They were given a cheer of greeting. The women would only get home long after dark, but they were ready to dance all night.

* The repayment would eventually be waived, and we spent the grant so frugally we had funds for a second course.

In January 1999 Marisa Fick-Jordan was brought to the project by our trustee, Eric Apelgren who thought she could offer advice and support. We put up with her reluctantly. She was an artist and designer working with crafters in the Durban townships, creating something new out of mbenges . She had a lot to teach us and we had a lot to learn. Didn’t we? What we hadn’t expected was the rapport, something she established immediately with the crafters, setting them laughing with her noisy exuberance, her acute understanding and her ready warmth. She was going to be a gift to the project, finding donors for our training, new outlets for our work, and connections to artists overseas. (How else would we have done bowls for Oprah Winfrey?) Although Marisa’s project, Zenzulu , has steadily won international acclaim, she has stayed in touch, always ready to help when we need her.

Mdukatshani – Fifty Years of Beading

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