KWABHACA– A bold new initiative blending art, heritage and entrepreneurship is bringing renewed hope to the rural village of Ngqwarha in KwaBhaca. On 10 October 2025, renowned photographer and storyteller Charmain Carrol officially launched the Bavulele Ntsikhwe Mbokazi Art Center’s first artist residency program, titled Bavulele Art in Residency.
Rooted in Carrol’s personal heritage and her vision for community empowerment, the residency operates from her childhood home an historic property once owned by her late mother. The center serves as a hub for creative expression, particularly among rural women by promoting traditional crafts like crochet and beadwork.
“This art center is my way of carrying that legacy forward, proving that rural women can thrive through art and innovation,” said Carrol. The program is a collaborative effort between the Nomonde Mafunda Foundation, Bavulele and the Muholi Art Institute (MAI). It aims to provide practical artistic skills while fostering a sense of pride and cultural identity in a region often overlooked by mainstream development programs.
Furthmore workshops are led by Nomonde Mafunda, who has been instrumental in transferring beadwork and crochet techniques to a growing group of enthusiastic participants. What began with uncertainty has quickly grown into a vibrant community of creators.
“This community is my heart the residency is at my house, on land steeped in family history. These women are enjoying every moment, bonding deeply and producing pieces that could change their lives,” Carrol shared. Carrol’s own story is rooted in a legacy of resilient women.
Her entrepreneurial mother, Bavulele built a successful supermarket and food stall from humble beginnings. Her grandmother, MamBokazi, was a skilled potter who made clay pots and grass mats to sustain her family. “I draw my inspiration from my grandmother MamBokazi, she used her hands to feed her children, and now these women are doing the same through art,” Carrol added.
In addition looking ahead, participants plan to expand the residency, sell their handcrafted pieces and reinvest in materials and training. The long-term vision includes establishing a sustainable arts economy within the village proving that creative expression is not just a passion, but a pathway to financial independence.
“Art can put food on the table,” Carrol urged. “Parents, let your children pursue it. Teachers, take art education seriously. Not all kids excel in academics, but many shine in artistic paths.”
The Bavulele Art In Residency stands as a powerful reminder that cultural heritage and creative innovation can go hand in hand transforming lives in the heart of the Eastern Cape.
Photographs: supplied
