Nomcebo Ntuli

South Africa | Telephone Wire Ukhamba Baskets

Nomcebo Ntuli is a Zulu basket maker from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, working primarily with recycled telephone wire. For her, the focus of her work is ukhamba, the traditional beer pot that holds deep meaning in Zulu culture. Ukhamba are used during celebrations and gatherings to store and serve traditional beer, and in some homes they are also used for storing food. Making these forms is central to how Nomcebo expresses her heritage in a contemporary way.

Nomcebo comes from a Zulu family where making and storytelling are tied closely to community life and the spirit of ubuntu. She describes her work as inseparable from family and community, with each piece carrying stories of daily life, relationships, and shared values. Color plays an important role in her baskets, reflecting what she sees as a distinctly South African confidence and openness. Bold patterns and color are a way of communicating pride and welcome.

The use of telephone wire has its own history. Nomcebo explains that the material was first repurposed by men working in the mines, who used discarded wire to make knobkerries and small objects to pass time. From there, women in rural communities began using the same material to make baskets instead of grass, weaving scenes of homestead life and everyday experience. Over time, these techniques expanded into new forms and reached markets beyond South Africa.

Nomcebo works independently and relies on orders and commissions as her primary source of income. Each basket is planned before weaving begins, especially the larger ukhamba forms, which require careful balance, precision, and control. Every piece is made by hand, start to finish.

Alongside her own practice, Nomcebo has collaborated with organizations on commissioned work and training. She has led workshops for young people who were new to weaving, teaching them how to work with telephone wire and introducing them to patience, focus, and respect for process.