2023

Weaving Connections: Milasande x Loom Life

Milasande Institute partnered with Loom Life to host an intimate weaving workshop that brought together craft lovers, curious learners, and seasoned makers in a shared space of creativity and cultural exchange.

Held at Artisan House, Bo Kaap, Cape Town the workshop welcomed 9 participants, ranging from beginners eager to learn the fundamentals to experienced weavers looking to explore new techniques. Guided by skilled facilitators from Loom Life and supported by Milasande’s ethos of heritage-led practice, the day blended hands-on learning with conversations about the history, symbolism, and cultural significance of weaving across Africa.

Participants learned a weaving technique taught on a weaving loom , experimenting with textures, colours, and fibres to create their own unique pieces. Throughout the session, Sibablwa Ndlwana of Loom Life and Ingyeyo shared insights into material sourcing, sustainable practices, and the ways weaving connects land, identity, and storytelling.

The workshop was as much about community as it was about craft. Between the rhythm of warp and weft, stories were exchanged, new friendships formed, and participants discovered how weaving could be both meditative and deeply connective.

By the end of the day, each participant left with not only a handmade woven piece, but also a renewed appreciation for the patience, skill, and cultural depth embedded in this ancient practice.

For us at Milasande, the collaboration with Loom Life reaffirmed our belief that craft thrives when knowledge is shared openly, across skill levels and backgrounds. Together, we created a space where heritage techniques could be reimagined for contemporary contexts and ensuring they remain alive, relevant, and celebrated.

2022

Milasande Craft Retreat with Craft Master of Zulu Basket Weaving Beauty Ngxongo

In October 2022, we brought that belief to life with a transformative Craft Retreat at the peaceful Rosendal Country Retreat, just two hours from Johannesburg.

Our honoured guest was Beauty Ngxongo, a master of Zulu basketry whose artistry has graced the pages of countless publications and the collections of leading museums, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Yet Beauty’s true gift lies beyond the baskets she creates, it is in the way she carries, protects, and passes on the knowledge of her craft.

Over the weekend, twelve guests sat side-by-side with Beauty, learning to weave their own Zulu baskets. Mornings began with yoga, afternoons unfolded with hands-on workshops, and evenings were warmed by wholesome meals prepared by chef Lindiwe Shope of Lovelichef. Guided walks with Nomzamo Mji of The Tool Box deepened our connection to the land that inspires so much of Africa’s material culture.

What emerged was more than a retreat, it was a tapestry of connection, learning, and cultural continuity. For us, it was a reminder that craft is not just about objects, but about the relationships, stories, and shared moments that give them life.