Bead Magic at Monkeybiz

About Bead Magic at Monkeybiz

Amongst the brightly coloured homes that the Bo-Kaap (area bordering the city centre) is famous for stands a bright yellow haven with red monkey icons stamped across the facade; this is the Monkeybiz shop. Your very first step through the brightly painted door lands you into a magic beaded world that puts a smile on your face and effortlessly improves your mood.

This magic beaded kingdom has restored the art into beading and each item in all its bright splendour is a once-off collector's piece. The creations in this store are deep-rooted in African tradition but far from your typical street vendour offering. A gift from this store, be it a Mandela fridge magnet, a christmas tree decoration, a bride & groom cake piece or a life size zebra, will land itself on display with glee and pride.

Monkeybiz is a Non-Profit Organisation supporting disadvantaged South African woman through self-employment, skills development and medical care. Historically in the African culture Grandmothers, mothers and woman in the Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and Ndebele communities introduced younger woman to the craft of beadwork. Monkeybiz South Africa involves 450 woman in this project, supplying richly coloured beads free of charge to disadvantaged woman in the townships. Each woman is paid for her unique creation which is collected from her; working from home allows the women to save on transport costs and care for their families.

Monkeybiz also runs a wellness centre which provides skills, training and HIV/AIDS support for low-income HIV positive woman offering beadwork training, yoga, nutrition and counseling.