MASUNGULO BEADS & TEXTILE
MBHOKOTA VILLAGE, LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA
Mother and daughter team, Elisah and Maureen Malileke, are the driving force behind Masungulo. Keeping local Tsonga traditions alive, Elisah is very active in the community, teaching younger generations the art of beading and embroidery. True to their philosophy, “Masungulo” translates to: Foundation, beginning, basis, origin, original.
Elisah and Maureen setup a workshop in their home village of Mbhokota, in Elim, Limpopo. This rural region has a rich Tsonga heritage, and Tsonga traditions are still thriving.
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Using their work to tell a story of peace, the textiles they create represents the unity between their own Tsonga people, and the neighbouring Venda people, mixing both Tsonga and Venda materials and textile techniques. These tribes were not always united, with a history of conflict, but this has all changed since the ending of apartheid in South Africa, they have come together to live in peace.
The textiles of Masungulo tell this story of peace beautifully.
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Through their business, they continue telling the story of Tsonga, Venda, and the peace between their people. They hope to create more opportunities for employment in Limpopo, an area of South Africa where unemployment is very high.
Elisah has now established both a workplace and a public shop in her new home, with the support of her 6 children. The perfect place to grow, and invite the community to take part in their story.
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