Beads, glorious beads! A young poet and praise singer wants to take the artistry to a new level, starting with his rural community. By Liz Clarke
Young man’s modern twist to ancient tradition is a gem of an idea
LIKE so many teenagers in the resource-poor area of Nsimbini, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, James Mbhele knew that if he was going to make a go of his life, he would have to think very differently from his peers.
“When you live in a community which has very little,” he says, “where every day is a hardship and there is little money, it is easy to sit back and do nothing, hoping that somehow you can survive.”
At school, he says, many of the kids accept that they will probably never find a job.
“But where does that get you? I wanted to do something with my life. I wanted to try to get people to feel happy about themselves. If you don’t, there is no hope.”
I meet him, far off the beaten track, at a small workshop that houses the funded Igugu Labantu sewing project. He is singing the praises of a newly donated collection of assorted loose beads, which he says he will be able to transform into something “very beautiful”.
Although poetry is his first love, having competed in many local events, using his own words and imagery, he believes that industry and artistry can go hand in hand.
“For me, it’s not about doing the same old thing. Yes, traditional beading that our mothers and grandmothers were able to do so well is important, but I think it is time to move on and try something else.”
On a simple, cloth-covered table in front of him are examples of his “new thinking” – rows of assorted jewellery, some modern, some funky, that certainly seem to be breaking out of the old mould.
“I have to learn the art of stringing beads myself, sometimes over and over again, until I get the right look and the right mixture of colours and textures.
“You think it is easy; it’s not, but I am happy with the way things are going.”
Mbhele is even happier that local beaders are beginning to take an interest in his jewellery designs.
“Change is not easy. People like to stick with what they know. But when you need to put food on the table for your family, you sometimes have to try new things.
“Thirty years ago the children went to school with slates and chalk. Now they have
us, flying beyond Secretary bird
above us Colours, spikey. Be our friend
us places. Show Take us to new your beauty
you.We will We will guard watch you soaring
Don’t be To new heights.
back afraid. Come
Be our friend – JAMES MBHELE tablets – you see what I mean?”
It is clear that Mbhele’s new-age message is getting through.
Community leader Sipho Mngadi, who helps run the sewing project, said the young jeweller was an inspiration to the group of sewing ladies, who are learning to make their own garments.
“He is certainly our hero, willing to teach others the skills he has learnt. And when you get beautiful poetry about everyday life thrown in as part of the lessons, it makes it all so special.”
Mbhele’s dream is to kickstart a community fund-raising beading project that will have wide appeal in the South African fashion industry.
“We have the energy and the skills, so we will keep hoping and praying.”
As I take my leave from the workshop Mbhele appears, seemingly from nowhere, dressed not in his working gear, but in full Zulu impi regalia.
Within minutes he had composed a poem about his project and how hope and love were very much part of it.
Next month, he will be putting his energies into helping his group host a Christmas party for local children. You can be sure that among their gifts will be beads – of a very different style – like the one he handed to me as a gift which he had made up within minutes.
lizclarke4@gmail.com THE Igugu Labantu community-based project in Nsimbini is partnered with eManzimtoti-based NGO A Centre That Serves (Acts). The project was a winner in the community development category in the Ethekwini’s Mayor’s Awards For Excellence. As well as sewing and jewellery design, the Nsimbi project includes gardening, a soup kitchen and chicken farming.