The inaugural Cape Guild of Weavers meeting was hosted in 1950 when more than 60 enthusiastic weavers gathered. Since then, the guild has evolved into a thriving organisation with members from all over the country sharing knowledge that preserve handicrafts.
Now over 75 years old, the Cape Guild of Weavers nurtures, teaches and promotes crafts, and builds respect and appreciation raw materials.
South Africa has several guilds that promote handicrafts including weaving, embroidery, lace-making quilting and wood turning skills. These guilds are generally run by older people – often women – who carry a wealth of knowledge and inspiration that they’re eager to share with fellow makers or enthusiasts.
We spoke to Linda Fedder, head of communications for Cape Guild of Weavers, about the organisation.
The 2025 exhibition ‘Then and Now’ celebrated 75 years of the Guild
What draws people to weaving?
Weaving connects us to our ancestors, who became proficient in making durable clothes and other household items. (There is some evidence of loom usage potentially dating back to 30,000 B.C.) We are drawn to weaving because we are weary of mass-produced, synthetic, fast fashion items. Weaving your own cloth, table linen, curtains or rugs fills you with a sense of self-reliance, pride and accomplishment. In our digital age, hand crafts are becoming more popular as people actively seek slow, meaningful, activities that keep them grounded, spiritually peaceful and connects them to natural materials. Making something by hand connects you to your humanity, to nature and to like-minded people.
Hand-carding wool at the International Merino Conference
Zola Ndimande demonstrating backstrap weaving
Who belongs to the Guild and what does it do?
The Guild is made up of about 180 members from all over the country and is run by six or more volunteers. In the last couple of years we have seen an increase in younger members. The Guild promotes weaving, spinning, dyeing, felting and its sister crafts of knitting, crochet, bead weaving, lace making and macramé.
We host annual events at the Richard Crowie Hall, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Coming up soon is the bi-annual Exploring Textiles (ExTex) at which we host workshops and demonstrations. There is a pop-up shop that sells yarn and handmade items. Every alternate year, we exhibit members’ work. In 2025 the guild celebrated its 75th year with an exhibition titled “Then and Now”
Our library has close to 1,000 items (books, magazines, videos and CDs) which are available on loan to our members. The collection grows as members recommend books or donate their collection. Members of the Guild recently traveled to Matatiele in the Eastern Cape to teach spinning, felting and weaving to a group of farmers who are involved with Fleece Naturally Africa.
What challenges does the Guild face?
The Guild has never had its own address. We have moved our shop from one rented premise to another 12 times, at one stage even running it from the boot of a member’s car! For the last couple of years, we’ve rented space in Pinelands, where our library is also housed. The Guild would love to have a permanent home, where we can house looms, teach, sell our members’ creations, house our library and shop.
The 2025 exhibition ‘Then and Now’ celebrated 75 years of the Guild
Who should join?
Anyone interested in yarn – weaving, spinning, dyeing, felting or knitting. There are no requirements to join and becoming a member is open to anyone.
How much is a membership and what does it cover?
- R300 a year
- Monthly meetings, which include a lecture, screening or demonstration
- Library access
- Guild shop access
- Monthly newsletter
Special events
Every two years, the Guild hosts ExTex at Kirstenbosch, a 10-day festival of workshops, demonstrations, and shopping. This year ExTex26 takes place from 24 April – 3 May in the Richard Crowie Hall at Kirstenbosch. From felting yourself a pair of slippers to weaving a Xhosa mat – the workshop list is extensive. Find out more here.
- Learn more about ExTex26 here
- Find out more about the Guild on its website here
- Follow the Guild on Instagram here or Facebook here
- Become a member for just R300 here
- All images provided
- Feature image: The Guild hosted a series of workshops in Matatiele in association with Fleece Naturally Africa, a social enterprise committed to restoring African grasslands
