THE FOUNDER
“Welcome to Kalunza!
My name is Christel Grat. I am from the French West Indies (Martinique) in the Caribbean. I started my professional career in Paris, working for tax and wealth management companies. When I arrived in South Africa in 2014, I started volunteer at Little Rose, an orphanage and community center located in Kliptown, one of Soweto's poorest neighborhoods. There, I helped develop a sewing workshop to bring activities and financial resources to female workers from the local community. Leveraging my passion for African fabrics, my experience at Little Rose and my ambition to impact more African artisans, I decided to launch Kalunza".
MEET THE MAKERS
Memory
My name is Memory. I’m 27 years old. I’ve got 2 children who are living out of the country with my parents. When I was a little girl, I dreamed of being able to create dresses and I loved watching my mother sewing. My dream came true four years ago, when I had the opportunity to join the team of seamstresses in the workshop where I work today. This is where I learned all the sewing and trimming techniques. My dream, that I share with a few colleagues, is to have our own sewing workshop in a few years.
Mandla
My name is Mandla. I leave in Soweto, South Africa, with my wife and my three kids. I started sewing in my brother’s factory when I was a young boy. This is where my passion and my expertise come from. I was honored to be selected by Kalunza to lead the team of sewers and embroiderers. I am so proud to know that our creations travel all over the world. I feel like I am traveling myself. Thanks to Kalunza, my business has grown significantly, and I can give a better support to my family.
Nomthandazo
My name is Nomthandazo. I'm 32 years old. I live in Soweto, Johannesburg. I am originally from Mozambique. I have a 9-year-old daughter who lives over there with my mother. I started working in sewing workshops at the age of 20 years old in Mozambique. It hasn't always been easy, but I love my job. In 13 years, I learned a lot of techniques. In 2020, due to the Covid 19, the clothing company for which I used to work had to stop its operations. I lost my job. It was very hard for one year. I joined the Kalunza "Makers" team in February 2022. Thanks to this work, I can once again pay school for my daughter and have a decent living. Thank you so much for your support!
Mitchell
Hello, my name is Mitchell. I am 35-year-old. I leave in the CBD (Central Business District) of Johannesburg. I have been working for Kalunza as an overlocker and presser since the very beginning of this new adventure and it has been a great journey to give life to these colourful creations. My professional dream? One day I would love to become a sewing lecturer at a learning college institution to pass on my passion to young people.
Nomvebo
My name is Nomvebo. I am 25 years old. I live in a suburb of Johannesburg. I started sewing alongside my mother and my aunts who had opened a sewing shop in the village where we lived. I was fascinated by the speed they took to create a suit from just a few pieces of fabric. At 17 years old, I decided to become a sewer and I had the chance to learn, for 2 years, the techniques of sewing in a sewing school. I am very proud to collaborate now on Kalunza's creations. I do my best to live up to the team's expectations in terms of quality. That’s our daily challenge.
Gladys
Hello, my name is Gladys. I am 38-year-old. I am the proud mother of 3 kids who live with me and my husband in Johannesburg. I am an all-rounder machinist and designer for Kalunza. I learnt how to saw in one of the factories I used to work for in the past. I have a passion for design. Therefore, I do this job now.
My dream is to continue growing daily in this industry.
ABOUT THE SHWESHWE FABRIC
FABRIC MAP OF AFRICA
(image credit: @miakora.com)
In Africa, most countries have their iconic fabric. Bogolan in Mali, Kenté in Ghana, Samakaka in Angola, Wax in West Africa…and Shweshwe in South Africa. Shweshwe is a beautiful, luminous, and elegant fabric, which combines tradition and modernity.
Shweshwe was born in the Eastern Cape / Xhosa region of South Africa and was originally used for important ceremonies: weddings, royal birthdays. Today, Shweshwe has become more popular and is used for high end clothing and decoration and is a favorite fabric for the new generation of South African designers.
The name Shweshwe (pronounced “choué-choué”) comes from the name of the king of Lesotho, Moshoeshoe I, who, during the 19th century, received indigo fabrics as gifts from French missionaries. He loved these fabrics that eventually were named after him.
Shweshwe is easily recognizable by its geometric patterns printed on brightly colored fabrics. Traditionally, Shweshwe was indigo blue, brown and red. Shweshwe can be recognized for its thickness and rigidity related to the use of starch during its manufacturing process.
Another characteristic of the genuine Shweshwe is the “3 Cats” emblem printed on the back of the fabric. This signature is the symbol of the South African company “Da Gama Textiles”, that is the original and leading manufacturer of Shweshwe. All Kalunza products are made with “3 Cats” Shweshwe fabrics. It is a pledge of the quality of our creations.
