Arts & Crafts

Everywhere you go on the Wild Coast you will find craft sellers, usually with a tablecloth full of their wares spread on the ground. Their favourite vantage points are all the places that tourists would stop for some reason: petrol stations, resorts, supermarkets, pavements outside banks and post offices. The few actual craft shops are found at Port St Johns – the best being Pondo People on the east side of the Mzimvubu river. The clothing made here is unique and very distinctive. There are wooden sculptures, baskets and bead jewellery. Another shop in Port St Johns is Jakotz on Second Beach, which sells printed cloth.

At Coffee Bay is the Masizame Women’s project, housed in a colourful building just outside of the resort. This is one of the very few outlets in South Africa were there is an array of traditional Xhosa arts and crafts, ranging from beaded bags and belts, traditional clothing, baskets, mats and blankets. If you let them know in advance that you are coming, they can organize an authentic Xhosa lunch.

The only other craft centre of note is the Mzamba craft market at the Wild Coast Sun south of Port Edward. Not only does this centre feature local craft but also good examples of craft from all over Africa. The special feature of this craft market is that each stall-holder has a little cubicle where he or she actually makes the craft. Potential customers can therefore actually see the crafters at work. There are plans to create an open-air performance venue at the Mzamba Craft Market for music, singing and dancing.

Wild Coast Community Tourism Initiative

Postal Address: PO Box 18171, Quigney 5211, South Africa

Physical Address: Tourism Centre, Eastern Cape Tourist Board, Quigney, East London 5211, South Africa

Telephone: +27 43 7222203
Fax: +27 43 7222219
info@wildcoast.org.za