The Telephone Wire Basket Collection
Handwoven in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 

These handwoven baskets are a contemporary expression of a longstanding Zulu weaving tradition. For generations, Zulu artisans have been celebrated for their basketry and beadwork. Today, that craftsmanship continues through the use of colourful steel-core telephone wire.

The origins of this practice are rooted in ingenuity. It is said to have begun with night-shift security workers in South African factories, who passed the time wrapping discarded telephone wire around their batons. What started as improvisation evolved into a distinctive contemporary craft.

Each basket is woven entirely by hand in KwaZulu-Natal using a technique that begins at the rim and works downward over a mould, unlike traditional basketry, which is typically built from the base up. No two pieces are identical, each reflecting the hand of its maker.

This collection marks the beginning of Mzokisi's journey, introducing contemporary South African craft to a global audience. It celebrates the innovation, resilience and artistry that continue to shape South Africa's rich craft traditions.

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