Our journey with beaded shoes began in 2010, when Tholakele Mbambo created the very first pair of beaded high heels. They made their debut at the Design Indaba and caused a sensation. Though a little rough around the edges, the customer adored them—walking out feeling like Cinderella. And perhaps, if the fairy tale were retold in South Africa, Cinderella’s slippers would have been glass Zulu‑beaded ones.

From that moment, we began beading all kinds of shoes. Wedding shoes followed, some traveling as far as America and the UK. Beading a shoe is no small feat: the crafter must tension the thread so it moulds perfectly around the shoe, then secure it—especially tricky when working with leather. The result is never quite “perfect,” but that is the true charm. In a world obsessed with flawless finishes, these shoes celebrate the handmade, the human touch, and imperfection.

Over 25 years at Woza Moya, I have only ever known two women—Tholakele and Lindiwe—who mastered the rare skill of beading on three‑dimensional surfaces. Their work is extraordinary.

One of our most memorable projects came during the Comrades Marathon. We beaded two pairs of shoes adorned with wings, inspired by the Comrades Marathon logo and Hermes—the Greek god of roads, sports, and the “winged messenger.” Displayed at the Comrades Expo, they drew attention from runners worldwide, and soon we were beading Comrades shoes sent to us from across the globe.

If you’d like to commission your own pair, here’s how it works:

• Send us your shoes (clean, please).
• Choose your colours—or let our crafters surprise you.
• Prices start from R3600, If you are Big foot it may be a bit more!

For enquiries, email us at wozamoya@hillaids.org.za (hillaids.org.za in Bing).

These shoes are more than footwear. They are stories stitched in beads, carrying the spirit of craft and culture.