Hlayisani wins Limpopo Craft Competition

Hlayisani Khosa says she saw the competition hosted by Hlayisani Shiburi, popularly known as N’wa Jika the Poet, on Facebook. It was also supported by the Noza Foundation and the Department of Sports, Art and Culture. Her assignment was to design two blouses for the competition. “Because it was Heritage Month, I used Xitsonga fabrics and added a handbag to spice things up.

I also took three of my design dresses with me for display,” says Hlayisani. She says that she researched trends on the internet to make sure that she was relevant. She was competing against artists such as painters and sculptors. “I sewed my tops and my outfit the day before the competition and had to finish it the morning of the competition due to load-shedding,” she says.

Also read: Hlayisani embraces her Xitsonga fashion passion

“At the competition, we displayed our designs and also did presentations. I obtained first place.” She says the judges were looking for creative and neat work. “I won cash, a certificate, a trophy, a medal, and a Giyani Radio Station interview. I’m still waiting to go for the interview but have gained a lot of customers and recognition because of the competition.”

N’wa Jika the Poet, the organiser of the competition, said that the Limpopo Craft Competition was organised to help people who are skilled with their hands. “The main reason was to show that there is a variety of arts. Artists had to send in their work on WhatsApp, and from there, my team and I selected the finalists. During the finals, they had to explain their work and the inspiration behind it.” She says the aim was to encourage young people to develop their artistic skills. “I had to show and explain to the young people what art was all about,” she concludes.