For Tintsaba founder Sheila Freemantle Tintsaba is not just about the creation of craft work that can hold its own against the best in the world but about building the self-esteem of the weavers themselves.

“It sounds cliched, but an important part of our objective is to change people’s lives by giving them the skills to change their own lives economically and socially”.

At the Tintsaba workshop in a leafy nature reserve high in the mountains near Piggs Peak 18 full time staff make it possible for 900 rural outworkers to earn an income by weaving at home.

The small sisal baskets take about 20 hours to make and larger ones 50 hours. Product development has seen silver being incorporated into the designs both as mounts and design features. Wherever possible Tintsaba make from first principles and only buy in items they can’t make themselves.

Production is environmentally friendly and no dye is wasted here. As a former Forester Richard Freemantle is keenly aware of environmental issues and all staff have been given fruit trees to plant on their homesteads. The social outreach includes literacy skills and health provision so Tintsaba becomes integral to the lives of their participants.