Mapula-meaning ‘mother of rain’ is a project in the Winterveldt, which was started by Janétje van der Merwe and funded by the Soroptomists, Pretoria. It operates in a semi rural area about 45 kilometres north of Pretoria. Initially, all embroidery work took place at a mission but, for the last few years, half of the women, now numbering over 80, have been embroidering at their homes, and delivering their completed works to a group coordinator. Kaross has a much wider reach and has worked with over 1000 rural women since its inception. Its primary incentive is to create jobs and opportunities for rural woman to make a living by being creative within the realm of their own tradition background.
The upliftment aspect of the project remains a driving force and is central to all social, developmental and business decisions in the project. In its early days, members of both Mapula and Kaross embroidered cushion covers and calico shirts. More recently their large embroidered cloths and wall hangings have proven to be especially popular and have provided the widest scope for innovation and design development. New directions in awareness promotion include cloths embroidered with signs from Arrive Alive safe-driving campaign and messages about HIV/ AIDS education programmes.
Location: Winterveldt and Letsitele areas, Northern South Africa
Website: www.kaross.co.za
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