iTHEMBA
CRAFT ART HANDMADE WITH LOVE
iThemba
About Us
At iTHEMBA Craft Art we strive to bring hope to our community by selling high quality, locally-produced fine craft-art. The word ‘iTHEMBA’ means hope in isiXhosa, one of South Africa’s eleven official languages. Our gallery maintains a balance between art, craft, community projects and promoting Stellenbosch. There is a story behind each product and the person who crafted the item. This story is just as important as the high standard of our products. It is a story of HOPE.
Anna Kruger
Anna Kruger started iThemba Craft Art in 2013 at the Stellenbosch Information Centre in Market Street, Stellenbosch, to use her experience as Home Economics teacher and 15 years in tourism retail to the advantage of the community in which she lives. She studied Home Economics at the University of Stellenbosch and completed her honors degree in 1986. After four years of teaching Home Economics, Biology, Needlework and Mathematics at various schools, Anna decided to focus on the upbringing of her three children.
After 15 years in tourism retail she felt it was time to give back to the community and live out her passion for social development and training. She started her own social enterprise, iThemba Craft Art to retail high quality locally produced goods to the South African and international tourist markets. Stellenbosch Crafts Alive NPC was established in 2015 to address the need for training and mentorship for local crafters to become sustainable entrepreneurs by using their skills to produce work and generate an income.
My name is Nomfundo, I am 62 years old and I am from the Eastern Cape. I came to Stellenbosch in search of a job and I have been working here since 2020 doing embroidery. I am currently making dresses for children.
My name is Bukelua, I am 48 years old and I am from the Eastern Cape. I came to Stellenbosch in the year 2020 in search of a job. I am now an embroider for iTHEMBA and am currently working on stamping squares on lapis. I love the freedom I have to use my skills for iTHEMBA.
Craft Artists
Products
The iThemba Craft Art product range focuses on fine CraftArt from Stellenbosch and it surroundings, including the following categories:
Paintings & Graphic Works, Sculptures, Photography, Ceramics, Paper Products, Textiles Products, Jewelry, Felted & Woven Products, Beadwork, Wire, Metal & Recycled Work, Candles & Candleholders, Soft Toys, Children’s Clothing, Adult Clothing, Textiles & Haberdashery, Masks and Leather Products.