Fine African Jewelry

To wear a piece of Zulu Mien, is to wear a piece of Africa.

We are dedicated to the women we work with and we exist to serve them to the best of our ability. We are a social enterprise started to support rural women artisans and crafters in South Africa. Zulu Mien is based on the market intermediary model of social enterprise that provides services to its target population - small producers - to help them access markets. Our clients are small production groups of women artisans.

We offer services to add value to our client-made products. We offer product development, production and marketing assistance, costing and pricing, quality control and more. We purchase the client-made products outright and then sell them in various markets.

The social program is the business. Our mission centers on strengthening markets and facilitating our clients' financial security by helping them develop and sell their products.

The Rhubhani Craft Project

The Rhubhani craft group are based in Vaalbank, Mpumalanga and are a group of incredibly talented master beaders. Most of the group members have been beading since childhood.

The group was started by Elsie Bahlezi Mahlangu and both she and her sister Rosina Mapholi Ntuli keep the group busy with orders. The Rhubhani group are the first to work with Zulu Mien. Our aim is to include more production groups as we grow.

Our Jewelry

Our aesthetic takes its cues from Nguni traditional culture and beaded art but it is not traditional Nguni product. We're taking the essence of the Nguni and translating it into something that honors it, but is different to it.

Beadwork is produced by hand without the use of a loom or any other tools, and each bead is individually sewn into the pattern by hand. The highest quality glass beads are used in the production process. We use the best quality beading thread that does not fray.

Demand quality not just in the products you buy but in the lives of the people who make them.