Zululand designs for SA stamps

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THREE Zululand women’s creative art is to be showcased around the world after their designs were accepted by the South African Post Office for a miniature stamp sheet and and commemorative envelope.

This amazing achievement all started with a meeting on a Hluhluwe farm in July 2003 between rural embroiderer Goodness Basolivumeleni and Beulah Meintjes.

Meintjies recognised Goodness’ design talents instantly.

‘She clearly had the hand of a true artist,’ explained Meintjies.

This ignited a project concept which Meintjies could apply to help uplift rural women.

With Goodness as anchor artist, Meintjies started Tunga, which is the Zulu word for needlework, and gradually attracted more local embroidery artists.

When Goodness passed away in 2005, twenty women had found an outlet for their creative talents at Tunga.

In 2006 Tunga was awarded the prestigious FNB Craft Now, New Signature award.

The award was given to Nelisiwe Nxumalo for a fully embroidered red umbrella.

Seven years later, in 2013, the South African Post Office decided to issue an ukuthunga miniature stamp sheet and a commemorative envelope depicting original designs by Tunga artists.

The designs depict a white rhino and a elephant in their natural habitat.

Current Tunga master embroiderers Phiwan Gubani and Thandi Sithole, translated the designs into a fresh contemporary embroidery style which will be used on the stamp.

‘The 30 embroidery artists now affiliated to Tunga Studio, are inspired by the achievement of recognition by the South African Post Office. They are inspired to focus their creative talents on ever increasing refinement and enjoyment of their art,’ a proud Mentjies said.

‘It is such an achievement and one that I wish Goodness was still here to see. I am so lucky to be a part of what has turned into such an inspiring project.’

The Tunga narrative was published in the May-August edition of Setempe , the quarterly of the South African Post Office.