Meet the artisan craftswomen creating Zulucow’s ethical cowhide products by hand in South Africa.

When you buy a Zulucow product, you are not only purchasing a beautiful, utterly unique, lovingly handmade item. You are also helping to create desperately needed, sustainable jobs. You are helping Zulu women to survive; to put food on the table.

Meet the craftswomen behind Zulucow, each of whom is an indispensable part of our team.

Ma Thandi Khoza (51)

Thandi is the sole provider for her two children; brother, sister and father. She lives in a rural area about an hour away from the workshop. (Therefore she has to leave home at 6am to return at 6pm.) In addition to working at the workshop, Thandi collects tin cans on the way to work for recycling; from which she can earn more money.

Her weekend includes doing the washing, cleaning and looking after the chickens and cows.

She loves making the sustainable Bucket bag because it is a “fancy bag.”

Nomzamo Nqolwana (28)

Supports her child, father, step-mother, half brother and sister on this wage.

Nomzamo lives in the local township and has goats, chickens and in addition a veggie patch.

She wants to start her own business and above all see her son grow up to be a “humble, responsible person”

Her favourite item to make is the clutch bag.

Gcinile Ntombela (40)

Gcinile is a single parent and the sole provider for her six children. Consequently, she supports her family with the wage she earns from the workshop.

She loves making Zulucow’s Ethical Bucket Bag.

Most importantly, she is the breadwinner. At the weekend she cleans and sews for her children.

In 5 years time, she’d like to have her own big house and to have all her children educated.

Nelisiwe Majozi (39)

Nellie supports her husband, six children; her mother and sister with the wage she earns.

She likes making Zulucow’s belts and purses.

She loves to cook, clean and look after the family’s cows, goats and chickens on the weekend.

Khethiwe (24)

Khethiwe supports her mother, 2 brothers and sister with her wage from the workshop.

She likes learning new skills at work. Her favourite item to make is Zulucow’s cowhide cushions.

During her weekends, she spends her time washing, baking and cooking.