Ntuthu: Breathing New Life into Waste, Seeds, and Creativity
Thursday, 24th July 2025
“I don’t believe in waste,” Ntuthu says with a laugh. “If I can turn it into something beautiful or useful, then why throw it away?”
Ntuthu makes bold, expressive jewellery from things most people overlook—scraps of fabric, bottle caps, paper, old keys, and bits of leather. “Even at home,” she adds, “I don’t buy décor. I make it. My coffee table? Just old pallets I painted and added wheels to. Done. It works, it’s mine, and it tells a story.”
But her creativity goes beyond art—it’s deeply rooted in a sense of purpose and community upliftment.
“We’re still distributing seeds,” she explains. “Even if we don’t have land to offer people, at least we can give them something to plant. It’s something small, but it’s a start. You’d be surprised how far a packet of seeds can go.”
She dreams of securing a space where people can come together to grow their own food—a community garden, a learning space, a place of healing. “Not everyone has a backyard. Not everyone has land. But we all deserve to eat something we planted ourselves. It teaches you patience, responsibility, and pride.”
As a community artist who has traded on High Street during the National Arts Festival (NAF), Ntuthu has also watched the local creative economy change. She reflects on how NAF has shifted over the years: “Back in the day, festival time meant money in people’s pockets. Gigs, stalls, jobs… Now people still come, but it’s not the same. The opportunities for us locals have shrunk.”
But Ntuthu isn’t discouraged. She sees this as a chance to do something different—something new. “I’ve been thinking about starting our own festivals,” she says. “We’ve got incredible talent right here in Makhanda. People with powerful stories and products—but they’re stuck on the fringe because of red tape. They’re ready to grow. Why not build something for them?”
She’s passionate about creating platforms for growth, especially for artists and entrepreneurs who don’t always get the spotlight. “It’s not just about having a stage,” she explains. “It’s about saying, ‘You matter. Your work matters. Let’s grow it together.’”
When asked what keeps her going, Ntuthu smiles. “I just want to see people win. That’s it. Whether it’s someone wearing a pair of earrings I made from a soda can, or someone planting spinach from the seeds I gave them—I want people to feel proud of what they can do with their own hands.”
For Ntuthu, art is not just about expression—it’s about transformation. Her recycled jewellery and her seed work are both part of a bigger picture: a vision where nothing—and no one—is wasted.
“If you look at something and think, ‘this is useless,’” she says, “then maybe you’re not looking hard enough. Everything—and everyone—has value. Sometimes it just needs a second chance.”
Meet Ntuthu in Makhanda:
Look out for her vibrant stall during market days or festivals. Each item comes with a story—and a second life.
