Africa-Press – Eswatini. In an era where modern trends often overshadow tradition, one woman is threading history into every bead she touches. Lobelumbi Tebelungu Nkambule, a proud resident of Mfabantfu, is on a quiet mission to preserve and promote Eswatini culture, one handcrafted beaded jewellery at a time.
Soft-spoken but confident, Nkambule says her journey began with love. “My love for traditional attire and culture inspired me,” she says. That love didn’t just stay in her heart, it found its way into her hands, shaping beads and threading heritage into every piece she makes.
For Nkambule, beaded jewellery are more than ornaments, they are a symbol of identity. “It identifies Swazi regalia to me,” she explains, emphasizing how each piece she creates carries cultural meaning and memory.
Rather than sit idle, Nkambule actively uses her hands to create, turning her home into a space of productivity, pride, and purpose. “Instead of just sitting and doing nothing, I make something with my hands,” she says. Through her craft, she has empowered herself earning enough to cover her daily needs. “I can now afford my essentials,” she adds.
What’s more inspiring is her desire to pass this passion on. “I want to give young and young-at-heart a chance to discover how satisfying it is to make something by hand,” Nkambule says. In her eyes, the joy of creating isn’t just about the final product, it’s about honouring the hands, hearts, and heritage behind it.
In a world where fast fashion and mass production are the norm, Nkambule stands as a quiet reminder of the value of authenticity. Through her work, she is not just preserving Swazi culture, she’s inviting others to take part in it.
With every thread and bead, she is telling a story of resilience, pride, and possibility. And through her, the tradition of beaded jewellery continues to shine bright, bold, and beautifully Swati.
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