Weaver and Teacher at
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I am 30 years old. I have been a weaver and teacher since November 2003. My teaching in weaving came through Nazeema Solomons, who is a master weaver and a great mentor at the KRAAL Gallery. I currently live in Khayelitsha with my husband Mzwamandla whom I married in 1998. He is older than I but we are a great team. We have two boys – Siyabulela (11 yrs), Bahle (7yrs). Both boys are growing up fast and go to school in Khayeltisha. I originally come from the Transkei - A small town called Mount frere near Umtata. Here I grew up with two brothers and four sisters. My Aunt spent a lot of time educating me – she was very strict in the household. I was the eldest. As a young girl I enjoyed taking care of my siblings, helping my aunt clean and keep the house tidy. My father worked as a tractor driver on a farm. My mother was a housewife. We had very humble beginnings, so I only went to school until standard 6 (grade 8). At 17 years old I decided to go to the Western Cape to join my husband. We have made a good life here and are very happy. I am most happy to have been taught how to weave and to have a chance to learn and grow through the Kraal Gallery and the team here. I love this job and the people at the Gallery. Customers talk to me often and I talk back to them. They really appreciate my work and I appreciate that they like it so much. I have been a teacher in weaving for some years now. I have taught many pupils in both Bethelsdorp (E. Cape) and Genadendal (W.cape). It is one of my best parts about weaving. One day in the future I would like to go on an aeroplane. This has been my dream for many years... Please see more of Philiswa’s work at the KRAAL Gallery, Stellenbosch. |
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