Charity – Keiskamma Trust

The Keiskamma Trust was established in 2000 in the village of Hamburg, Eastern Cape, with the vision of ‘building healthy communities in all respects’. Working holistically to achieve this led to the establishment of four main programmes, namely Art, Music, Education and Health. Each programme has its own management team, set of specific goals and practical means of achieving them. Together, their effects are felt in the social and political landscape of Hamburg.

Keiskamma Art Project is the flagship programme of the Keiskamma Trust. For over twenty years it has been the mouthpiece of the communities living alongside the Keiskamma River. Monumental embroidered artworks, from the Keiskamma Tapestry and Keiskamma Altarpiece to the Keiskamma Guernica, have toured both nationally and internationally to global acclaim, and won prestigious awards. The work of the project holds a significant place in the national and international canons of art. On the ground, it generates vital livelihoods in an otherwise impoverished region of South Africa. The art project meets the need in rural communities for dignified work, and income. This is achieved through a transparent and communal process of making meaningful artwork, sensitive to the collective memories and culture of Hamburg and its surrounds. Memories and voices are archived through stitch. Sincere engagement with the world as it has been, is, and can be, drives a process of artmaking forward that serves both artists and community in inestimable ways.

Veronica Betani is an Arts Ambassador for Keiskamma Art project and has been able to travel internationally to promote the project. Whilst also being a contributor to the Voices in Cloth – South Africa the wonderful people of Keiskamma have been proud to support the Voices in Cloth – South Africa.

The rural nature of Hamburg encapsulates the humble nature of this trust. The scale and intricate nature of their work is another reason why the Voices in Cloth – South Africa are proud to be supporting their project.

To watch our YouTube video about Keiskamma please follow this link: https://youtu.be/jy4-MeVFgDk

To donate funds to our charitable causes please follow this link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/voicesincloth