Kaross’ heart of gold
Once on the Giyani R529 road, 38 km outside Tzaneen, one can’t miss the two vibrant mosaics at the entrance of Kaross.
TZANEEN – Once on the Giyani R529 road, 38 km outside Tzaneen, one can’t miss the two vibrant mosaics at the entrance of Kaross.
Another mosaic inside the farm welcomes guests to one of Limpopo’s jewels, the jewellery businesses that makes and sells a variety of South African art at all South African airports and other outlets across the country.
The founder and creative director of Kaross, Irma van Rooyen, is slaving away in her kitchen.
She apologised for not taking part in the interview as she’s preparing lunch for two large parties. Her daughter, Janine Pretorius (38), also pressed for time, takes a quick break to speak to the press. She runs the business side of Kaross, has three young children at Unicorn Preparatory School, and cycles in her spare time.
She followed in mother Irma’s academic footsteps and also obtained her fine arts degree at the University of Pretoria.
Janine, who joined Kaross in 2002, was born in Johannesburg. Her father, an engineer, moved the family to the citrus farm where Kaross is situated, and besides his numerous business ventures he’s also the Chairperson of Kaross. Janine’s brother, Henk, is involved in the farming side of the business.
Irma began Kaross with five traditional Shangaan embroidery women in 1989 when she noticed the wives of their farm labourers had no jobs.
While talking with them she uncovered a wealth of creativity and tradition among these rural women and they started creating their works of art seated on a kaross (blanket).
Kaross now employs just over 1 100 Sotho, Shangaan and Vatsonga embroiderers from as far away as Phalaborwa who work on a contract system. The work is completed at home with the first name of each worker embroidered at the bottom of the work. Upon completion the embroiderer returns for payment and new projects.
The Kaross hub consists of a sewing room, an embroidery room as well as an internet shop and a general shop.
In front of the working area is a verandah which serves as the Kaross restaurant, opened in 2005. Customers can sample a variety of delicious homemade meals, which include vegetarian dishes.
In the corner is a huge wooden sculpture donated by Margot McNeill, well-known for her DA work as well as propagating clivias. The sculpture is the work of the famous Jackson Makwala and Margot’s late husband, Gordon, features within the intricate work.
Kaross art is on sale at the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and various outlets in Knysna and Simon’s Town.
Kaross exports to small European galleries in Stockholm and Denmark as well as to a chain store in the US called Home Goods. Kaross art is also available at Tasha’s restaurant in Dubai.
