Buhle’s beaded business blossoms
She is just one of many people from the Valley of 1 000 Hills whose lives have been changed for the better by the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.
WOZA Moya’s Nobuhle Ncube has a fierce determination to take on the world using her creative talents.
Buhle, as she is affectionately known to her family and friends, lives in KwaNyuswa with her parents, siblings and her two young children.
Two years ago, her father, who worked as a gardener, was viciously attacked by his boss’s dog while on duty which left him unable to use one his hands.
Since this awful incident, Buhle stepped up to be the family’s sole breadwinner through the sale of her Woza Moya beadwork.
Woza Moya is an empowerment project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.
Buhle was introduced to Woza Moya back in 2008 by her late sister, Thandi, who was making Little Traveller dolls.
“My sister trained and encouraged me to join the programme in my own capacity,” said Buhle. “I officially joined in 2009. I first worked with a partner, Sphamandla Mdluli, for six years before I moved to make necklaces on my own in 2015.”
Today, Buhle’s beautiful beaded necklaces are among the top selling items in the Woza Moya shops.
While each intricate masterpiece can take up to three weeks to make, she said the long hours and hard work is worth it as she gets paid very well for them.
Despite this, Buhle’s first love remains the Little Traveller dolls which these days come in a whole range of characters from Zulu maidens and mermaids to Superman and brides.
“I still enjoy making them and the creative process still excites me nine years later,” said a beaming Buhle.
Her own bead-making enterprise has grown to such an extent that she now employs two young women on a part time basis to help her complete orders.
It’s evident that this is a real source of joy and pride for Buhle as she explains how the project has not only improved her life, but is now helping to uplift other women’s lives too.
“At times I can get an order for 400 dolls and that makes me happy because my staff and I can continue to put food on the table,” said Buhle.
The blossoming business woman oversees the entire creative process and enjoys training her staff to produce high quality pieces that represent her artistic vision.
For Buhle, Woza Moya has not only helped her provide a steady source of income for herself and her family, it has personally given her a sense of pride and accomplishment as a person and as an artist.
Speaking of Woza Moya, Buhle smiled and said, “The staff at Woza Moya are always so friendly and eager to assist in any way. Through Woza Moya, I’m able to contribute towards our country’s economic development through exporting our proudly South African products and this makes me very happy.”
How you can help:
The Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust is now a registered beneficiary of the MySchool, MyVillage, MyPlanet programme which raises more than R5 million every month for South African schools and charities.
There are more than 1 500 partner stores where you can swipe your MySchool card and help raise funds for HACT and your other favourite organisations and best of all – it won’t cost you a cent, ever!
To sign up for your MySchool card visit www.myschool.co.za/supporter/apply/.
