Christmas decor celebrates joy between the mountain and the sea

Vuyokazi Kohliso from Khayelitsha shows off her bead work.

A giant weaved cable car with smiling beaded people in the windows, and a weaved big wheel are some of the features of this year’s Christmas decorations that will be up at the V&A Waterfront.

This December marks the fifth year that holidaymakers will enjoy the handiwork of the artisans who are part of the Joy from Africa to the World initiative, which sees the Waterfront shun traditional imported tinsel, baubles and plastics, which so often end up in landfills, and choosing instead to creatively re-purpose and present fresh, original installations.

This year’s theme is Between the Mountain and the Sea, said executive marketing manager at the V&A Waterfront, Tinyiko Mageza - celebrating all the joy that is Cape Town between the mountain and the sea, where the Waterfront is located.

She was speaking at a behind the scenes demonstration at Ashanti Design in Paarden Eiland on Wednesday October 18, where artists from partnering companies Monkey Biz, from Khayelitsha, and Ashanti Design were weaving and beading brightly coloured decorations that the public will enjoy over the festive season.

Joy from Africa to the World will be supporting over 20 local crafters to create artworks from sustainable and recyclable materials.

V&A Waterfront communications manager Donald Kau tries his hand at weaving.

Solange Kitunga from Brooklyn weaves her magic with the decorations.

The giant weaved cable car was one of the biggest pieces made yet.

Pictures of smiling people beaded onto cloth will be displayed in the windows of the cable car.

Creative director Kathy O’Clery explains the concept of the cable car.