Beauty Ngxongo

A Living Archive of Zulu Basketry

In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Beauty Ngxongo weaves timeless baskets—each weaved with history, resilience, and the spirit of the Zulu people. A master of her craft, Beauty’s work is not just admired; it is studied, collected, and revered in some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, from The Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Smithsonian Institution.

At first glance, her baskets appear like traditional masterpieces, their intricate patterns and bold symmetry reflecting generations of Zulu heritage. But within the tight coils of ilala palm, there is innovation. Beauty has taken the isichumo basket—once strictly a vessel for water or beer—and expanded its form, introducing new shapes, compositions, and modern design collaborations that challenge the boundaries of function and art. 

Since 1983, her methods have remained deeply rooted in the land. Hand-harvested palm leaves are softened, dyed with indigenous plants, and woven using an instinctual, mathematical precision that requires no sketches—only memory, rhythm, and years of experience.

For Beauty, basket weaving is not just an individual pursuit but a force for women’s empowerment. Through her teaching, dozens of women in Hlabisa have gained financial independence, their baskets carrying their skills and their voices into the global market. The world has already recognized Beauty’s genius, yet she continues to innovate, ensuring that Zulu basketry is preserved and reimagined for the future–a heritage guardian unline any other.