- Art and craft manufacturers on Blaauwberg Road in Table View have seen significant growth over the past two years, relocating from Koeberg Road due to space constraints.
- They create large metal sculptures from recycled steel drums and wooden garden furniture, delivering their products nationwide.
- The team, committed to recycling and job creation, offers workshops and collaborates with other recycling organisations.
For the past two years art and craft manufacturers have been creating, displaying and selling their work on the busy stretch of Blaauwberg Road, Table View.
Business owner Stanley Choto says business is doing well and that they have grown over the past two years. The group used to work at an informal trading site on Koeberg Road, but had to relocate because there was just not enough space, he says.
Apart from manufacturing metal art, which include gigantic dragons, elephants, giraffes, horses, leopards, birds and antelope, the team also manufactures wooden garden furniture such as tables, chairs and pot-plants.
Stanley says customers often come to the premises, or order from them and then they deliver. “We have delivered to many places, including Johannesburg, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Beaufort West,” he says.
Simba Lichonja, one of the workers, says they also manufacture the art according to the customer’s design.
Godfrey Choto, another worker, says there is usually a team working on one project, and that bigger items like the dragons, elephants and giraffes can take between five and six days to complete if they work together. “One person will work on the leg, while the other will do the head,” he explains.
Recycle
Simba says the material they use are all recycled. The metal animals they create are made from recycled steel drums which they purchase from a scrap metal dealer at R120 each. “We do not throw anything away,” he says.
According to Simba, the group also works with other recycling organisations. Some will donate recycled plastic which they then use in the product. He says they are also trying to create jobs for young people and offer workshops for people interested in carpentry.
Godfrey says they are willing to work with other organisations who can compensate them with recycled material.
According to Stanley the cost of the art work varies, and they negotiate a price. “You cannot put a price on art,” says Stanley.
The team works from Monday to Sunday and is only hampered by the rainy days like Cape Town has experienced of late, due to a lack of cover.
- The group has a Facebook page (@stanley art & craft). Email chotosta2gmail.com or call 064 413 1106 for more details.
