Crocheting a Better Future, One Bread Bag at a Time

Photo Credit: Re.Bag.Re.Use via Facebook

Joana Mnisi is one of 21 women in Hout Bay who are remarkably playing their part in preserving our environment by giving plastic waste new life as stylish and sustainable products, creating value, dignity, and opportunity in every single thread.

Hout Bay, South Africa (20 June 2025) – As International Upcycling Day approaches on 24 June, Re.Bag.Re.Use is proud to spotlight the power of turning waste into worth.

This creative community initiative, based in Hout Bay, brings together 21 women who repurpose discarded bread bags into beautiful, multifunctional items.

Through their hands and hooks, plastic waste is given new life as stylish, sustainable products that not only reduce environmental harm but also generate income, spark creativity and foster community pride.

One of the group’s quiet yet powerful forces is Joana Mnisi, a grandmother whose gentle smile and determined spirit embody the initiative’s mission.

Armed with patience and purpose, she transforms empty plastic bags into beautiful multi-functional crocheted creations that carry more than groceries. They carry a message.

“Each stitch is a small step towards a cleaner environment,” she says.

“When my grandchildren visit, I show them what I’m working on and remind them that waste doesn’t have to be wasted. It’s something we can reuse. It’s something we can learn from.”

Joana’s craftsmanship is second to none. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence set a high standard for the team.

For her, the journey is both environmental and personal. She continues to learn new patterns and techniques, proving that growth has no age limit.

“I never imagined I would be learning like this at my age,” she says.

“Every project teaches me something new.”

Together, these 21 women are crocheting change, one bread bag, one loop, one stitch at a time. Their work is proof that upcycling is not only about reducing waste, but about creating value, dignity and opportunity in every thread.