The collaborative creation of tapestries provides a profound healing process that unites community members by weaving together threads of shared history, present realities, and collective aspirations. When members of the 14 villages in the Wild Coast came together, they crafted their beautiful stories, reflected on the past, and connected to create a prosperous future, where nobody has nothing, and everyone has something.
AfricalIgnite is a rural Development Agency that specialises in tourism and craft development, with a primary goal of supporting women and youth to create income opportunities without having to migrate to town- or city centers to do so. WE BRING WORK TO PEOPLE, NOT PEOPLE TO WORK.
AfricalIgnite was selected as a Strategic Implementation Partner
(SIP) of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) programme which is an initiative of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) and overseen by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
In 2019, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) launched a pilot project that utilises an Asset-Based Community Development approach to effect community and economic development that "goes beyond roads". SANRAL's mandate is in road construction, but while new roads bring new economic opportunities, it can also place vulnerable communities who practice age old customs and live in harmony with nature at risk as new influences penetrate their spaces. Zutari, the firm appointed to manage the design and construction of the new toll road in the vicinity of 14 villages under the chiefdoms of Vellem and Lambasi, joined forces with Africa!|gnite in 2019 to support the development of Tourism, Craft and Agricultural programmes amongst 14 communities impacted by the new road construction project.
An in-depth engagement with the 14 communities, using and Asset-Based Community Development approach revealed immense talent and skills in art and craft amongst women, men, youth and even younger children. When the opportunity to develop these assets into meaningful initiatives for the "common good" came along in the form of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) in 2023, Africallgnite and partners grabbed the opportunity to facilitate the development of community arts and crafts programmes. Through the programme, which falls into the ambit of the Community and Public Art Theme of the SEF, AfricalIgnite facilitated the creation of 28 life-sized tapestries.
These tapestries tell the stories of the past and the present as experienced by community members and provide a platform for them to express their hopes and dreams for the future.
Working on tapestries with other artists and crafters creates social networks, stimulates creativity, and provides essential skills that in turn create income-generation capabilities.
The 28 current tapestries are earmarked for AfricalIgnite's first art exhibition, which we are planning for 2025. Thereafter, they will decorate public places in the villahes. Under the SEF programme and beyond, Africallgnite will also faciliate the establishment of a local Wild Coast merchandise brand. This will allow local artists and cratters to work together to design and hand-produce new products with market value for tourists, local retailers, and the international export markets. AfricalIgnite's model teaches artisans quality standards required to deliver high-end merchandise while working from their homes, eliminating unnecessary costs of transport. This also allows them to continue generating income from the home-based food gardens, look after their children or grandchildren, and perform community responsibilities, thus ensuring that their heritage and customs are protected.
This development approach is unique to AfricalIgnite, and has supported 1000s of craft producers over 20 years to earn a decent living from capitalizing on their cultural heritage and craft skills.
