From elegant, oversized plant holders to gorgeous counter top storage baskets and unique toy containers, all of the baskets woven by Salt Rock’s Gerald Mudzingwa are trendy, top quality and in high demand.
Natural, stylish and the perfect way to add texture and interest to a space, woven grass baskets are still a popular interior trend. Which is one of the reasons why 39-year-old Zimbabwe-born basket-maker Gerald has become one of the most well-known makers on the North Coast. Friendly and professional, Gerald has developed a reputation among both interior designers and homeowners for the excellent quality service and products he delivers.
Having started making and selling items on the roadside at the age of 18, Gerald and his siblings learned their skills from their mother while growing up in their hometown of Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
“From 18 until around the age of 25, I made a living selling sandals, baskets and brooms on the side of the road in Chiredzi and Harare. We were struggling and there wasn’t much of a market for baskets and we sold mostly brooms,” says Gerald.
Then a friend invited him to come and stay in South Africa four years ago. “He knew I was a skilled basket-maker and said there was a bigger market for baskets here.”
Gerald moved to Durban and started selling a few baskets every week, just managing to pay his bills and put food on the table.
About two years ago he decided to give the Ballito market a try. “I began selling brooms and feather dusters next to Food Lovers Market. One day a woman approached me and asked if I could repair one of her baskets. I told her I was actually really good at making baskets and that’s when I decided to start selling them there as well.”
Gerald quickly realised there was a bigger market for his products and moved his business to Salt Rock (next to Tiffany’s Centre), where he is still based today. That is when things really started to change.
“The local community embraced our business, even offering me advice on new designs and ideas. They dropped off samples for me to try and, eventually, I started developing relationships with local interior designers who were looking for woven items for their clients.”
Gerald moved away from making straw carry baskets to creating unique plant holders, laundry bags and toy storage baskets. He now also makes beautiful woven coffee tables and grass lampshades. So many of his ideas come from his clients, Gerald says, and he has taught himself different weaving techniques and methods.
His youngest brother, Alexander, now works with Gerald in his business and, between them, they make almost every item they sell. “We do outsource some of the very tightly-woven items from local Malawian guys who are more skilled at that than us, but we make everything else ourselves. We always try new things and love learning different techniques. Sometimes we fail, but that’s okay, because it is in failing that you start to learn,” says Gerald, who recently took his business up a notch, opening a pop-up store at The Odyssey Mall.
Gerald is grateful to his customers, who have helped him make the business what it is today. “I’m so thankful to all those who have stopped to give me ideas and advice and trusted me to make items for them and their clients. They have challenged and pushed me to grow.”
Details: Baskets By Gerald is adjacent to Tiffany’s Mall in Salt Rock and at The Odyssey Mall in Ballito, @basketsbygerald, [email protected], 074 086 5510.
Text: LEAH SHONE • Photos: WAYNE JOHNSTONE
