The Red Shoe Workshop goes to Keiskamma

Well, last week was certainly a busy one! On Monday I gathered up piles of fabric, embroidery threads, scissors, needles and pins, loaded them into the vehicle and set off for Hamburg, a small coastal village that lies between East London and Port Alfred. My purpose was to take my Red Shoe Workshop to the trainee Community Development Officers of the Keiskamma Trust. This programme is overseen by the Centre for Social Development at Rhodes University, and my co-facilitator for the workshop was the group’s trainer, Nozipho Khwababa, an employee of the CSD.

The great thing about this workshop is that depending upon the group who are participating; it morphs into what it needs to be. In this case, Nozipho wanted her students to have the opportunity to strengthen their sense of self, so that when they walk amongst the community, they will feel lighter, less burdened by the trials they face.

The concept of the workshop was completely new to all but one of the group, so their anxiety levels were high when I explained what they would be doing. Most of the participants couldn’t believe that it was possible to achieve the goal I had set, but nevertheless bravely entered into the process.  By Day Two the mists of confusion were gradually starting to lift, and by Day Three, the students had the bit between their teeth and were so into the process that they took their projects home and worked on them overnight.

A view of Hamburg from the workshop venue

Atwell learns to sew

Nelly, Nthembe and Blaq discussing designs

Nosisa studies her embroidery

Thembe hard at work

Zipho at the machine

Msi stitching his shoes

Atwell with his handiwork

A proud moment for Blaq

Msi relaxing with his shoes

Nelly: a happy moment

Nosisa shares her work

Noxy’s red shoes

Thembe presents her work to us

Zipho’s shoes are close to her heart

A moment of happiness with Blaq

A sense of accomplishment from Msindisi

Radiant Nelly

Blaq modelling her shoes

Noxy is ready for the runway

November 2012: The Keiskamma Collection

By the final day, the frowns and shaking heads had changed to laughter and celebration. They couldn’t believe what they had achieved, and in the closing discussions reported feeling very much better about themselves and what they were capable of achieving.

We returned to Grahamstown late on Friday, extremely tired, but happy that the workshop had been such a success.