Thuli passed away at the age of 34.
Thuli taught herself the traditional craft of weaving beads in order to support herself and her 3 children.
She also supported her mother, her sick brother and his children.
Thuli was the sole earner for her children and the breadwinner for an extended family of 10. |
Thulisile Gamede
1975 - 2008
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In July 2008, Thuli passed away from what we suspect to be an HIV/Aids related illness. Her children are now orphans and join a fast growing statistic in South Africa.
Thuli’s story is the same story as so many women and children in Southern Africa.
The Bead Bug was established with Thuli as our inspiration and with a strong desire to contribute to this community in need.
The Bead Bug supports individual artisans who live on the Southern Coast of South Africa. These artisans are both South African and Zimbabwean and they create these wonderful crafts to support themselves and their extended families. With little or no education, the chances of finding alternative employment are limited and therefore, our artisans rely on the sale of their crafts. Our policies are based on the principles of fair trade.
Thank you for your support. |
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Beadwork
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The Zulu Nation, one of the largest tribes in South Africa, well known as a tribe with a strong culture and tradition.
They have produced traditional beadwork for centuries. Their jewelry was a form of communication, always made exclusively by women, but was worn by both women and men.
In the past, messages were woven into the beadwork by using specific colors and/or shapes. |
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Today, most of those traditional symbols have disappeared as beadwork is predominantly being made for sale rather than for personal use. Many women in South Africa make beads as a means of survival. Although they are still using the traditional techniques and designs, most continue there craft to support themselves, as well as, their extended family and the families of others who have no income or whose adult members have died as a result of illness, often linked to Aids, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis.
All items sold on this website have been purchased from impoverished communities. Extending their markets and supporting their crafts helps in creating a better opportunity for their survival and a hope for the future of their children.
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Wire Art
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These crafts are found in many tourist areas in South Africa. The crafters are predominantly Zimbabweans who have fled their country because of the political instability and the inability to earn a living there.
These crafters provide for their families, still in Zimbabwe, sending money back whenever possible. |
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Richard is Zimbabwean. Because of the unstable political situation in Zimbabwe, he was forced to leave his home and family in order to seek employment in South Africa. He has temporary accommodation and travels back and forth to take money to his family.
Like too many Zimbabweans, he hand crafts beautiful wire and bead ornaments to maintain a meager subsistence. |
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Rodwell Chipembere is a Zimbabwean. He has a wife and three children aged 13,8 and 5.
He learnt his craft in Zimbabwe and did well there until political and economic circumstances forced him to travel to South Africa to earn an income. Rodwell is an Apostolic Christian and rents a small area from the local beach Municipality. He stays in South Africa with his brothers and sends money home whenever he can.
The unemployment rate in Zimbabwe is currently at 80%. No other member of Rodwell’s family at home is earning an income. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Rodwell to remain in South Africa.
As the economic climate in South Africa deteriorates, attitudes towards “foreigners” have become increasingly hostile. In the first week of July 2008, Rodwell’s stall on the beachfront was burnt down and all his crafts and materials destroyed. As modest as Rodwell’s possessions are, he has to start again to build up stock. |
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