Bahlezi necklace sparkles in competition
We submitted this range … it’s our top selling, most popular one.
Nikki Robertson
ZULU MIEN FOUNDER
ZULU MIEN is a social enterprise that partners with rural women to support and help them get markets for their products.
“We work with them to design jewellery and then sell that through the brand as a collaborative effort. We also do training in product development, production management, costing and pricing as well,” said founder of Zulu Mien, Nikki Robertson.
For the fourth annual Innibos National Craft Awards, Robertson entered a product from work which she had collaborated on with the Rhubhani Crafters, a group of about 15 women based in Mpumalanga.
“We decided to submit that particular range this year, because it is our top selling, most popular range. It is named after the leader of the Rhubhani crafters, Bahlezi Elsie Mahlangu.
“The whole range is five pieces of jewellery that match earrings, a necklace, bracelet, choker and body chain.”
Robertson has been working with the group since 2014 and launched Zulu Mien in 2016.
The Bahlezi range won in the corporate category of the National Craft Awards for the Bahlezi Necklace: glass beads and sterling silver.
The awards were curated on an online exhibition featuring 60 shortlisted works from 1 360 entries.
The winners shared R165 000 in prize money.