Woza Moya had the privilege of being part of the Durban July this year. Instead of glamour, we arrived with something different, we wrapped a few of the trees at the venue in crocheted yarn squares. It was a big project, full of planning, stitching, and coordination, but seeing it come together made all the effort worthwhile. 

It was our first time doing a yarn bombing at the Durban July, but we weren’t new to this, we had taken on a similar project the year before so when we shared the idea with Winnie Nene, she understood right away what we wanted. Winnie became the guide for the project, showing and re-teaching the other women how to crochet the right size and shape of granny squares. She set the pace for the project with her experience and steady presence. 

As the squares piled up, Paula stepped in to help bring everything together. With her creative eye, she started pairing colours, matching patterns, and finding ways to make all the pieces work side by side. Some squares were too small, others too big, and a few had to be stretched or stitched together to fit. It became a mix of creativity and problem-saving – figuring things out as we went. 

When it was finally time to put everything up, the real fun began. We arrived with bundles of colourful crochet squares, ladders and plenty of crochet needles. Piece by piece, the trees started to transform. Piece by Piece we started wrapping the three big trees. Everyone worked at their own pace, chatting, laughing, and helping where they could.

By the time we finished, the trees looked bright and full of life. They added warmth and colour to the venue and became part of the creative energy that makes the Durban July so special. It felt good seeing something handmade and collaborative become part of such a celebrated event. Looking back, the project was a real team effort. From Winnie guiding the crocheting to Paula helping with the layout, and all the women who stitched, experimented, and brought in their squares, everyone played a part. It took patience, problem-solving, and a lot of the teamwork to get there, but seeing the finished trees made it all worth it.

It wasn’t just about decorating the space; it was about working together, sharing skills, and creating something that celebrated both craft and community.