Mdukatshani - Fifty Years of Beading

AN EXTENDED FAMILY Because so many documents were lost in fire and flood, the following list of crafters is only a partial record of the men and women, boys and girls, who have been crafters with Mdukatshani over the years. Some have died, some are still working, and for reasons often linked to tragedy, many left. MaSiphika Mchunu stopped doing beads after her husband was beheaded by the son of a drunk neighbour. Basongile Dladla gave up beadwork when her daughter, born without limbs, was offered an opening in a craft group for the disabled. Two women left because they were not prepared to become the property of their brothers-in-law after their husbands died. Girls have left to get married. Makotis have left to join their husbands in Johannesburg. But no matter how far they have travelled or how long they have been away, they continue to claim relationship. They will always be members of our extended family, and we are happy to welcome them back. Right: Kwenzeleni Mvelase has endured more hardship than most. In 1987 her home was hit by lightning twice, one week apart, destroying 3 houses, killing 8 goats, and knocking her unconscious. She still has burn marks, like bullet holes in her legs. Eight months pregnant at the time, the baby she was carrying died within a year. She gave up beads in 1988 when the family moved to Kalandoda, a mountainous area where the home was struck again. In January 1997 Kwenzeleni was returning home from clinic with a newborn baby when her husband, Wadulana Mbatha, was killed in an ambush coming back from a peace meeting. Today the family live in Newcastle, but we see Kwenzeleni regularly when she returns to Mashunka for family events.

Nozipho Mbatha Thokozisi Ngubane Mlamuli Magasela Zamani Madonsela Mzonzima Dladla Ginsela Mbatha Jobe Sithole Canake Mbatha Gidli Mbatha Gili Nzimande Fiyani Masondo Mgongo Ngubane Busisiwe Buthelezi Ngakelephi Mkhize Khombisile Mvelase Khonjiwe Dladla Hlekisile Mtshali Dumsile Mbatha Xolisile Mtshali Buzukuthini Mtshali Thengani Ndimande Qondeni Mbatha Dumalile Mvelase Bongile Mavundla Qwengukile Madonda Ntoza Ndimande Gideph Mpungose Qhelile Hadebe Dingile Mtshali Zevile Thusi Phontshi Mvelase Thandekile Magubane Qhubekile Ndlela Qedani Ndlovu Mpomane Dladla Ntombi Dladla Uslaphi Majozi Thulile Dladla Dora Mbatha Xinile Mvelase

Umephi Ndimande Utimbi Dladla Khonzeni Ndawonde Kwenzeleni Mvelase Khalisile Mvelase Ntombiyenkosi Thusi

Mashunka Jaji Khumalo

Nhlawe Thamuza Madondo Nesta Dladla Sihle Ndlela Kwenzakamhlaba Thusi Zephi Luthuli Bonginkosi Thusi Loyisiwe Mdlalose Bonani Thusi Marriam Mlele Mathintha and Nqumantaba Sizakele Mchunu Nondlolothi Mchunu Basongile Dladla MaSiphika Mchunu Ufishi Sithole Busisiwe Mchunu Zwakushiwo Mvelase Khonzephi Xaba Ncunjane Sebetheni Mchunu Mikahle Mchunu Nyelisile Sithole Phumelele Njoko Buyelaphi Ngubane Celiwe Khumalo Celiwe Dlamini Buyelele Mchunu Siphongo Mncube Tshitshi Mchunu Buselaphi Khumalo Sizakele Mncube Bakhethile Sithole

Divane Ndimande Phakamile Dladla Kanyisile Masoka Winnie Mchunu Bangisile Dladla Ntombizini Mdlolo Phumelele Mbatha Siphokuhle Mvelase Khulelaphi Mbatha Gwinya Mbhele Dumazile Dladla Nozi Ntshaba Sizani Mbatha Phangiwe Dladla Ngenzeni Mvelase Bandlile Mtshali Hlekelaphi Dladla Siphilangangani Dladla Qabukani Dladla Lindeni Dladla Sithelephi Mtshali Ncengaliphi Mbatha Nonhlanhla Shezi Bakhipile Mtshali Nomzotho Chonco Ntombizini Mbatha Bonisiwe Mbatha Sibantu Mtshali Ngenzeleni Dladla Misi Mvelase Gcinani Duma Fikisile Duma Nesheli Mvelase Danadana Dladla Zwakabi Ngubane Mfuniseni Zwane Nomfundi Ngubane MaNgubane Ngubane

Limehill Lucy Twala Gogo Nkosi

Springvale Bathulise Madonda

Msusanphi and Nomoya Chazani Mkhize Tshelunina Masoka Velephi Chonco Funani Mbatha Kheleliwe Majozi Dombi Dladla Jabulile Ndlovu Khombisile Mvelase Zandile Sithole Dora Masoka Ncedile Xaba Thombo Masoka Monica Lamula Funani Mbatha Thunjiwe Duma Khangwayini Zungu Buzile Mbatha Waayhoek Elias Mtshengu Virginia Mvelase Mbuyi Nsele Ellen Mokoena

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Mdukatshani – Fifty Years of Beading