CRAFTSWOMEN CREATING A LEGACY THROUGH LEATHER
APPLY TO BECOME A CRAFTSMAN TODAY
Welcome to The Craftsmen Collective. We are a Public Benefit Organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for amaXhosa women by training them to become master craftsmen. Through our program our craftswomen enable themselves to generate wealth for their families and so uplifting their communities.
About Us
We offer a variety of resources and support services to help our members navigate the challenges of the craft industry and succeed in creating their own businesses.
The members of The Craftsmen Collective are the heart and soul of this collective. These craftsmen are more than just talented artisans – the members of The Craftsmen Collective come from backgrounds of poverty, and many have faced significant challenges in their lives. Despite these obstacles, they have found solace and empowerment through the act of creating and selling their beautiful crafts.
Our History
The Craftsmen Collective has a rich history rooted in a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of women from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2015, founder Ivan Volschenk launched a business called Els & Co., which specializes in creating luxury, handcrafted leather items for outdoor enthusiasts. From the very beginning, Ivan was committed to employing women from poor backgrounds, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to become expert craftsmen.Despite having no prior experience with leather crafting, these women proved to be incredibly talented and dedicated. Ivan’s passion for empowering these women and making a real impact in their lives led him to establish The Craftsmen Collective as a non-profit organization. Through The Craftsmen Collective we continue to provide craftsmen with the tools and resources needed to become truly independent and successful entrepreneurs.
Today, The Craftsmen Collective is proud to support a growing community of skilled artisans who create beautiful, high-quality products that are sold worldwide. We are honoured to continue Ivan’s legacy of empowering craftsmen and helping them to build better lives for themselves and their families. Thank you for joining us in this important mission.
By supporting the members of The Craftsmen Collective you are not only investing in beautiful, high-quality products, but also in the lives of the individuals who make them.
Meet our of team
Ethel Jampo-Keni
Anathi Feni
Tosca Ferndale
Board Members
Vanessa von der Heyde
Ethel Jampo-Keni
Tosca Ferndale
Founding Members
We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their family, and we are honoured to support these craftsmen as they pursue their dreams. Thank you for choosing to support The Craftsmen Collective!
