Potholder cotton

In recent years, the market has presented us with potholders made of a variety of materials, unfortunately mostly plastics, and in a variety of shapes. However, many kitchen workers reflect again on the good old potholder, as still crocheted and used by Grandma herself. On the one hand, this is certainly due to the DIY wave, which has given knitting and crocheting a boost. On the other hand, natural materials can be used for these potholders. Here it is natural cotton, which a small group of South African women in home and hand crochet.

Under the label Spaza, Julia Schaffer develops functional things for everyday use that can be made from regional, biodegradable raw materials and - more importantly - by hand. Because production is done by South African women in Manenberg, a town near Cape Town known and notorious for its high crime rate. In the Cape Flats of Cape Town, as the townships of Cape Town are also called, it is sometimes so dangerous that it is better not to leave your home. The women who crochet and knit for Spaza don't have to, either, because the materials are delivered to their homes and the finished items are picked up later. This gives them complete flexibility to work whenever time permits, while at the same time taking care of their children and relatives. And they are spared the sometimes immensely long journeys to the city. They are paid in cash on site, which allows the women to earn a small income of their own, independent of their husbands. In addition, they have health insurance and pay into a small pension fund.
In South Africa, "spaza stores" are the small informal stores that usually offer everyday necessities in private rooms in the townships. They arose out of necessity, because with the growing settlements the distances to the city or to the next supermarket became too far.