Fancy Stitch – South Africa

Fancy Stitch is a self-help, income generation and skills development initiative among women in the rural hamlet of Ingwavuma, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.  Like much of Africa, Ingwavuma experiences considerable poverty and HIV infection, and social issues like alcoholism and teenage pregnancy are widespread.

Starting in 2001 with 27 members, Fancy Stitch has now grown to more than 400 members making high quality embroidered greeting cards, photo frames and tapestries.  Each product is hand embroidered and reflects the individuality of the women who make them.  No two products are the same. 

Fancy Stitch aims to:

• create jobs for local people to alleviate poverty ;
• develop the skills of its members ;
• build the capacity of the organisation ;
• market their products ; and
• be an independent and thriving business.

African Home - South Africa

African Home is based in Cape Town, South Africa and is a Fair Trade Organisation certified by IFAT (the International Federation of Alternative Trade).   African Home works with several disadvantaged communities to provide employment and skill development opportunities in the production of beautiful craft and homeware products.  It works in partnership with artisans to utilise traditional artistic skills and designs to develop contemporary products.  

African Home aims to:

• create work for disadvantaged communities;
• practice fair trade principles;
• encourage joint decision-making and partnerships with artisans and crafts people;
• utilise indigenous and traditional designs to develop contemporary products;
• recognise the artistic skill of artisans in the development and creation of products; and
• demonstrate a commitment to the environment.

Back to Our Producers?