Some crafts are taught in classrooms. Zwelitsha Ncatayi learned his on a farm in KwaZulu-Natal, with calloused hands and borrowed time.

Born in the Eastern Cape, Zwelitsha Ncatayi left home as a young man in search of work and a way to support himself. Due to difficult circumstances at home, he was unable to finish school and had to begin fending for himself at an early age. His journey eventually brought him to KwaZulu-Natal, where he found work on a farm and began learning skills that would shape the rest of his life.

While working there, Zwelitsha met men who introduced him to the traditional craft of weaving using colourful coated copper wire, the same type commonly used in South African telephone wire baskets and Zulu wire art. They taught him how to weave around sticks and create decorative pieces by hand. One of the techniques that stayed with him was the bold zig-zag pattern that now appears throughout much of his work.

Over time, weaving became something deeply personal to him. He discovered that he could weave around almost any rounded object, like jars and bottles, transforming ordinary items into colourful works of functional art. Instead of throwing away used mayonnaise jars, glass bottles, and other household containers, Zwelitsha gives them a second life through careful weaving and intricate patterns.

His creations balance playfulness with purpose. Bright colours and bold zig-zag patterns catch the eye, while each woven object remains sturdy and useful in everyday life. The shape of every jar, bottle, or stick guides the design, so the wirework feels naturally tailored to the object it embraces.

Zwelitsha says he creates these pieces simply because he enjoys working with his hands. Weaving keeps him busy and gives him a sense of purpose and creativity. Even after many years of making them, he says he is still pleasantly surprised whenever somebody wants to buy one of his creations. Although weaving has become an important creative outlet, he later went on to teach himself carpeting, which remains his main source of income today. Like many self-taught artists and craftspeople, his skills were built through observation, patience, and years of hands-on experience.

Zwelitsha’s work is playful yet practical. A mayonnaise jar or an old bottle, instead of being thrown away, becomes a colorful, patterned piece that is both decorative and useful. His zig-zag designs bring energy and rhythm to each object, while the wire weaving strengthens and protects it. Every piece reflects his resourcefulness, creativity, and love for making something beautiful out of what others might discard.