Moving forward with weaving
Siyaphambili Multipurpose Cooperative is a women’s weaving manufacturer in Makhungutja, Eswatini. It was founded by Make Sitakele Vilakati, who began selling woven grass products at the Manzini craft market. Recognised for her skill, she was encouraged to form a group that could benefit from her training and support. What began as a handful of women attending a workshop soon became an organised, registered cooperative under the name of Siyaphambili, which translates to 'we are moving forward'.
For many members of the Siyaphambili Multipurpose Cooperative, weaving was once just a childhood pastime passed down through generations. Today, the practice is their livelihood. It offers them independence and the freedom to work from home while caring for their families. Together, they have bought land, created striking new designs, and showcased their work at international fairs from Paris and Copenhagen, to India and Geneva. Siyaphambili Multipurpose Cooperative is more than a manufacturer, it is a collective voice for women, weaving heritage into products that connect Eswatini’s traditions with the world.
Where
Siyaphambili Multipurpose Cooperative
