Ilembe district bead crafters kicked dust in their competition’s eyes at the annual Festival of Beads parade held in Pietermaritzburg on August 29.
Our local beaders and artists placed in the top three in most categories, taking home handsome monetary prizes totaling R90 000.
The aim of the event is to empower women and vulnerable groups, promote rural tourism and social cohesion and to showcase arts and crafts. The event kicked off earlier this year with activation in all districts in KZN. The Ilembe district had its activation on March 14 at the Ilembe Auditorium in KwaDukuza.
Everybody involved in the activation events participated in the main event in Pietermaritzburg. The parade started on the corner of Pine and Langalibalele streets, moving on to Commercial street and finishing a the Alexander Park grounds.
Beautiful Zulu beaded maidens and Zulu warriors chanting traditional songs literally brought the town to a standstill.
The Ilembe beaders’ results were as follows:
Beads first prize went to the Mazelda co-op from Mandeni and second prize went to the Masomonco co-op, also from Mandeni.
Ilembe took first and third place in the Ingoma yezinsizwa category with Umkhonto kaShaka from KwaDukuza placing first and Mandeni’s Ilunda Lenkunzi placing third.
In the Ingoma yezintombi category, Mandeni’s Izintombi zasehlomendlini came third.
Ndwedwe’s Isigqi samlamuli placed third in the Omama besigekle category while Salesh Sing from KwaDukuza won best umblaselo and the Inyoni co-op won best isishweshwe.
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