Everybody has their own happy place and for this young lady it might be something a little different from the norm.
KC Croucamp is happiest when she can lay her hands on a piece of wood, bringing life to what somebody else may not even consider worthwhile.
After making contact with KC, who hails from Benoni and is now living and studying in a small village in the Connemara area of County Galway, Ireland, the conversation came easily. She’s not only a breath of fresh air with a personality that easily engages – but she also knows that she is carving out her future in more than one way.
But before we get to the bottom of this story we asked KC to share some things on a personal note.
She describes her childhood as a happy one with too many beautiful memories to pinpoint a single moment as one of the best. ‘I have had so many beautiful moments that have made me who I am. Even the negative experiences in my life have allowed me to grow in one way or another.
‘As I have gotten older, I realised how lucky I am to have had a wonderful childhood. My parents were (and still are) my role models. They have undoubtedly had a positive impact on my life.
‘My mum has been running her company, Filtaire, successfully for over 23 years and my dad worked as an IT consultant/lecturer before starting his woodworking business, Passionate Stuff Industries, almost six years ago.
‘I have an older brother who is the funniest person I know and growing up we were always giggling or laughing about something together.’
She describes herself as always being a very creative child. ‘In Grade Three, I remember sitting in a prize-giving ceremony and I did not expect to receive anything but once I heard my name called for a prize for excellence in art, I was beaming.
‘At that point, I thought to myself that this is what I am going to do. I have participated in many sports and different clubs and activities but the one thing that had always stuck with me was woodworking.’
Falling in love with the art
One can easily say that she has her father to blame for fuelling her passion for working with wood.
‘My dad has always been interested in woodwork. He would do odd jobs around the house and would ask my older brother to give him a hand. As any little sister knows, anything your older boetie does, you want to do, too.
‘Little did I know that I would end up being my dad’s workshop helper. At age 12, I was helping my dad with sanding, glueing up and varnishing. During this time, I was dealing with bullying at school. This quiet time with my dad was where I could work with my hands, and this became my therapy.’
Off to Ireland
KC attended the same private school from Grade R to Grade 10. In 2020 she switched to do her A-levels at a micro school called Alpha Study Centre. ‘This is where I fell in love with learning.
School was only four hours a day so I would do my coursework and go to my dad’s workshop when I was done. I was absolutely in love with woodworking during high school and decided that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I truly want to be great.
‘I began researching the best places to study woodworking at and sadly, there was nothing available in South Africa. One day, my head teacher from Alpha Study Centre sent me a link to a course in Ireland and I knew immediately it was exactly what I wanted to do.
‘Being an international student in a foreign country has its own challenges but before I even got to Ireland I was faced with many obstacles. There was studying, exams, portfolios, applications, university research, and the most stressful of all, visa applications.
‘Eventually, everything worked out and now I am studying in Ireland. There is also the financial sacrifice that my parents are making. I am motivated to push myself and study hard because I know that my parents are working hard to provide this opportunity for me. I am so grateful to them. When I am stressed, I pray. I know that God has a plan for everyone and this brings me peace.’
Settling down in a foreign country
With her studies well underway and projects that need to be done, one can’t help but ask how she balances her studies, keeping in touch with her family in South Africa, and making new friends in Ireland.
‘I don’t think of it as keeping a balance. I naturally reach out to my mom and dad every day to chat or send them photos of what I’m up to. I’ll call them when I need advice and miss home.
‘With regards to making new friends, that is very easy here on campus. Every student studying this course loves woodworking too, so we all get along pretty well because of our common interest.
‘And the best advice for succeeding academically is to show up to class. Make notes and ask questions. Once you’ve genuinely engaged with the content being taught to you then it’s pretty difficult to forget.’
Asked about her favourite hang-out places the answer was simply, ‘Now, I would most definitely say the university library, but before university, I would have said my dad’s workshop. The library here is like an oasis. There are hundreds of books covering all aspects of woodworking. I am never starved for inspiration and when I feel a bit exhausted from college I like to step in and feel rejuvenated again.
When she has some leisure time on hand she loves to go for walks, especially in Connemara. ‘The campus is right next to the national park and the walking trails have wonderful views, and when the Spotify playlist is right there is nothing better.’
KC is also a firm believer that there is a bright future for artisans.
‘I believe my generation is moving towards more sustainable living practices where artisans will have an opportunity to thrive. A local woodworker, who sources local timber to create a piece of furniture that will last generations is far more sustainable than any flat-pack manufactured wood piece of furniture.’
Into a new world
She describes Ireland as very different from South Africa. ‘It is almost always raining and the Irish humour is very dry compared to our South African humour.’
She enjoys being in college most in her new world. ‘I often think ‘Wow, I made it’. This has been a dream of mine for years and I am loving every second of it.’
Chatting to her the first time one of her first questions
was: ‘Is the sun shining today? Do tell me the sun is shining today.’
And you could hear the longing despite being happy on that side when she said, ‘I’ve asked today whether winter is over now. I am convinced I saw flowers,’ with a smile in her voice.
‘The one thing I miss most about South Africa is most definitely my family, and even more so my mom’s cooking. I have so much more appreciation for her cooking now that I’m living alone and have to cook and shop for myself.’
What the future holds
When asked what drives her to reach her goals she said that she does not think there is any particular thing that drives her. ‘I am inspired by so many people in my life which motivates me to pursue my own goals. I think everyone should have a dream in life, no matter how small, and mine is to master woodworking.’
On the topic of the youth and how they can become part of creating a better tomorrow, she answered: ‘In many ways, I think my generation and younger are already creating a brighter future. I would encourage the youth to pursue education, in any form, and to value the knowledge that our teachers and parents pass down to us.
‘If I could leave the youth with a message to motivate them it would be to have respect for your parents and elders. Everyone you meet is a mentor and you can learn a lot from them, whether it is related to woodworking or relationships, everything is valuable.
And a last thought from her side – where does she see herself in about five years?
‘In five years, I don’t know where I will be in the world, but I will be able to say I will be the only South African to have a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Furniture Design and Manufacturing.’
- Follow KC on Instagram and TikTok – @kccroucamp
Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: JEREMY MADDEN
