Rich Xhosa culture provides creative inspiration
Phumza Mpapha started working and experimenting on her grandmother’s sewing machine which she loved
While working and experimenting on her grandmother’s sewing machine as a young girl, Phumza Mpapha, discovered her love for sewing and crafting.
Mpapha made sure she spent as much time as she could on the machine to create items of clothing and accessories.
The passion continued and grew exponentially with Mpapha pursuing and completing a fashion design degree at the Walter Sisulu University.
There, Mpapha explored with different materials and gravitated towards traditional Xhosa beadwork and sewing imibhaco (Xhosa material).
She said it was a school 2D and 3D jewellery project that further reinforced the drive to create Xhosa jewellery.
Now, Mpapha works at creating beaded neckpieces, belts, bangles and sewing imibhaco for events such as weddings, imiGidi (homecoming celebration) and iiNtonjane (right of passage into womanhood).
While working from her coffee table at home with the help of her mother, the design enthusiast has a wide-ranging client base that gets to experience her work through word of mouth.
Mpapha said it was her innovative use of colour and creativity that set her apart.
“When I entered the business of Xhosa jewellery I knew that I needed to create items that stood out from the rest. That difference was the use of colour. In order for me to tap into the younger market, I knew this would be a good contributing factor. The younger clientele wants vibrant colours instead of the traditional use of orange, white, blue, green, yellow,” she said.
It was after graduation that Mpapha received the financial backing from the Amathole Craft Hub and the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts Council to fund the resources she needs to create her work.
She said that she had received mentorship along the way to help improve her craft.
“My confidence has grown as a result of making Xhosa jewellery. I find the culture so colourful and bold. When some of my classmates used pearls and other materials to make jewellery, I knew that traditional beads had my heart,” she said.
“At the moment business is in and off. It is seasonal and comes with the timing of different events in the year. As a person who works independently, I make sure that each piece that I produce is carefully crafted and displays the intricacies. When designing and making Xhosa jewellery, the quality of the product is important,” said Mpapha.
The craft enthusiast who describes her love for design as a passion says she one day hopes to open a boutique of her own, where she can sell her work.
Vuyokazi Nini, who is the manager of the Amathole Craft Hub and one of Mpapha’s mentors, said she had been drawn to Mpapha’s precision, passion and attention to detail in her Xhosa beaded work.
“Phumza has a remarkable skill. I have been able to use her work to train others in the hub and equip them with the necessary skill sets,” she said.