Thandleni
Potters - Still going strong.
Begun in May 1991, Thandleni Potters was
a godsend for talented, local Swazi potters who had no place
to throw and fire their ceramic and porcelain masterpieces. The
late Austin Hleza, an acknowledged potter of international acclaim,
was a frequent and welcome visitor to this facility. A potter
using the kiln and other equipment would be charged a nominal
fee, and his wares marketed by Thandleni through their showroom
and various promotional initiatives. Sadly, after 3 wonderful
years the project ran into difficulties, and was effectively
abandoned.
Recently however, Thandleni Potters has acquired
a new, timely lease on life and will be constructing a new roof,
building a wood-firing kiln, and basically allowing the whole
thing to get up and run again. So all those aspiring potters
out there, start getting your act together, and come and work
with Thandleni, as the name
suggests, and make this the great project it once was. This is
an important difference over most commercial pottery establishments
in this Kingdom. Thandleni Potters will be profitable again,
but it will also serve the small community of emerging and other
indigenous potters in Swaziland, in whatever way possible.
Mantsholo Pottery`s Julie Hertslet for example, whose work is
promoted by Endlotane Studios, would be invited amongst others,
to host workshops, and otherwise fan the creative flames that
smoulder in every potters` heart. She, and others who have been
through pottery`s trials and tribulations, can share invaluable
insights with those just now setting out on the long road. |
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