Stories From Home

African Mamas celebrates the beauty and creativity of African women who use the gifts and skill of their hands – passed down from generation to generation – to provide for their families by crafting beautiful handmade products.  The brand exudes the warmth, generosity, kindness, strength and resilience of African women who over the years have done much with very little.  We focus on recognising assets people already have – hence the slogan “WHAT IS IN YOUR HANDS?”

African Mamas is a social enterprise founded by BSc (Hons) Geography graduate Nomaswazi Tinus in 2015 – to create urban-rural linkages and support the livelihoods of rural women.  Having grown up in rural Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape and now living in the city gave her an appreciation of the urban-rural divide which exists in South Africa.  Her background and studies are in the field of Geography, Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with over 15 years’ experience in the property, planning and mobile telecommunications sector.  As a result, she is passionate about community development that is sustainable, inclusive and brings the marginalised into the circle.

Although African Mamas is based in and operates from Johannesburg, South Africa – the crafters themselves are home-based and operate from rural areas.  This is important for us as it creates continuity of family life.  Their locations range from the rolling hills and rondavels of the OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape, the mountains and valleys of Kwazulu-Natal as well as the agriculturally rich and fertile Mopani District in Limpopo. 

Each month will cover Stories from Home of our crafters and from each of these unique and beautiful regions of South Africa.  If you want to be part of this journey, sign up for our monthly newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.