African craft feeds many families

African artwork has become a source of income for many women in Pretoria. These women create anything traditional from accessories to sculptures and sell them to locals at the Pretoria Zoo.

Johanna Mabena started being involved in the business of artwork when she was only 10 years old in 1982 during weekends and school holidays.

“My mother started creating and selling craft here in 1964. When I became older I learned the business and joined her,” she said.

Mabena said this business meant a lot to her family because it helped put her and her siblings through school.

“It has helped us a lot. Through this, my mother managed to put food on the table.”

Mabena said while working at the zoo, she has met a lot of people.

“Tourists from all over the world come to buy here. I would not have met people from America if I was not selling from here.”

Poppy Kaune has been working from the zoo since 1989 and said many of their clients are tourists.

“South Africans do not come on a normal day, unless they want something to wear for a wedding or an event.”

She said they used to be very busy in the past years, but business have become slow lately.

“People no longer have money to buy decorations, they only want things that are necessary.”

Mpho Mothobi who is at the zoo every day to make sure his mother’s crafts are sold, said it was better selling products than doing nothing.

“I could be out there committing crime, but I am here selling my mom’s products,” he said.

Mothobi said his mother creates the crafts from home and gives them to him to sell.

“She also makes clothes and shoes on request and that is what motivates me.”

Apart from selling their products at the zoo, the women also go to the Kgosi Mampuru prison every month to give classes to inmates on how to create artwork.

“It gives them hope and something to look forward to when they get out of prison. At least they would have learned something they can make a living out of,” Mabena said.