Tholakele Dlamini’s Journey of Resilience, Passion, and Craftsmanship

Photo Credit: Woza Moya via Facebook

When Tholakele Dlamini struggled to find work as a domestic worker after the pandemic, she remembered the art of hard-wire weaving she was taught in her youth by a neighbour – turning a season of setback into a passion that now honours her resilience, supports her family, and inspires her community.

Hillcrest, South Africa (06 November 2026) – Born in Bulwer, near Pietermaritzburg, Tholakele Dlamini has spent more than two decades perfecting the art of hard-wire weaving. She first learned the craft of wire-weaving from her neighbour, Mrs Nkosi, around 2000. Little did she know back then that those very teachings were laying the foundation for a passion that would end up being her livelihood.

As a child, Tholakele’s life was not always easy. After her parents divorced, she, her mother, and her siblings had to leave their family home. They eventually settled in Siyanda, where they built a shack after hearing there was land available.

Years later, the government built RDP houses for the community. Although life was difficult, Tholakele remembers finally having the freedom and security of a place they could call home.

Her mother worked as a domestic worker, setting an example of hard work and perseverance that Tholakele would carry with her throughout her life. Like her mother, Tholakele spent many years working as a domestic worker and cleaner, taking whatever work she could find in homes and offices. She continued doing this until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic sadly brought those opportunities to an end.

While it was a challenging time, it also gave her the opportunity to devote herself fully to the craft she had loved for years. Together with a group of women from Siyanda, she began making hard-wire baskets, although she laughs as she remembers how difficult it was in the beginning. Her bowls would often come out crooked, and despite the encouragement of the other women, mastering the technique took time, patience, and countless hours of practice.

To build her confidence, she also worked with soft wire, creating smaller bowls before eventually returning to hard wire.

Today, weaving the bowls themselves comes naturally. The real challenge, she says, lies in creating intricate patterns and unique designs. She especially enjoys incorporating animals into her work because of her love for wildlife.

If a design doesn’t turn out the way she imagined, she would rather undo her work or start again than settle for something she isn’t proud of. For Tholakele, neatness and originality are what make each piece special.

She especially enjoys making hard-wire trinket bowls with matching lids. These can take up to three days to complete!

Her craft has also helped her support her family over the years, and she has even passed her skills on to her grandson, who enjoys making soft-wire bowls and coasters.

After more than two decades, Tholakele is still weaving, trying new designs, and finding joy in what she does. She is Woza Moya’s artist of the month, and her stunning work can be found on display and for sale at the shop located at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust on 26 Old Main Road in Hillcrest.