Thirteen submissions from Limpopo artists were selected. The show took place from March 10 to March 16 The Limpopo artists selected were Amorous Maswanganyi from Elim, who raises teenage pregnancy awareness through sculptures, Karosswerkers which sells hand-embroidered African art and one-of-a-kind home décor items handmade by the VaTsonga people, and the Khazanhe Beading Group.

Others included Kheila Ngobeni, a traditional, rural Tsonga woman born from royal ancestry from one of the well-known Tsonga lineages. She learned everything there is to know about Tsonga traditions, customs, and values while growing up. She lives in the remote rural village of Khaxane outside Giyani.

Mapuve Pots, also known as Mapuve Pottery (they focus on the art of making pots in a traditional manner) and Mukondeni Potters (started by the late Sarah Munyai from Mashamba, a rural village near Elim) also showcased their work. More participants included Petrus Sekele, a woodcarver, and Pilato Bulala, a scrap metal artist working mostly with recycled material based in Zama Zama village in the Elim area.

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Sophia Baloyi’s work (she is an institution in the world of beadwork and hails from Bokisi village outside Giyani) was also on display. Others also included Tebocho Mathase and Thando Mahlangu (Ingwani Creations). Thomas Kubayi, an artist, mentor, and teacher who built and developed Vhutsila school for the arts in Tshivuyuni village to retain the knowledge base of creating wooden sculptures, musical instruments, traditionally-built furniture was also in attendance; as well as crafts by Kenny Nonyane.

Presented by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) and the Graskop Gorge Lift Company, the exhibition was opened by the minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa. It was a week of exciting new discoveries for tourists, consumers, retail buyers, and collectors. The exhibition was curated by JohnAnthony Boerma from Art Aid and co-curated by Mandla Hlophe of Malengs Holdings.

“We are happy that Beautiful Things 2022 provided work and exposure to the 90 crafters. Direct employment opportunities were also provided to 65 more people such as curators, performers, security personnel, caterers and delivery services, as well as those offering marketing, publicity, and technical support to the event,” said DSAC director-general, Vusumuzi Mkhize.

“It is our sincere hope that this has a ripple effect as we make the necessary interventions to revive and reinvigorate our creative industries after two years of difficulty.” Follow @ beautifulthingscraft on Instagram and Facebook for more information on the artists and the show.