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Welcome to Monkeybiz

Monkeybiz is a beacon of creativity and social upliftment project, based in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. Founded in 2000, Monkeybiz is a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the traditional craft of beadwork while empowering women from under-resourced communities. Our mission is to create sustainable income opportunities and to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of South African art.

Our Story

The Timeless Art of Beading: A Modern Revival

Beads have historically adorned the body and served as valuable items in rituals and economic exchanges. In African traditions, beaded jewellery is treasured for its spiritual significance. Colours carry specific meanings, with pink beads symbolizing poverty and economic caution in romantic contexts.

Beading is also integral to the training of Sangomas (traditional healers), marking different phases of initiation. As society modernizes and urbanizes, many traditional beading practices have faded. However, a revival is underway.

Monkeybiz: Reviving Tradition with Modern Aesthetics

Founded in 2000 by South African ceramicists and art collectors Barbara Jackson and Shirley Fintz, Monkeybiz began with a unique beaded doll created by Mathapelo Ngaka-Mtati and her mother, Makatiso. This innovative project quickly grew, empowering over 450 beaders from the rural townships of Cape Town.

Today, Monkeybiz is a sustainable non-profit, celebrated for retaining its creative essence while revitalizing the art of beading.

What we do

At Monkeybiz, we transform traditional beadwork into contemporary art pieces. Each creation, whether it be a whimsical animal figure, a vibrant doll, or an intricate sculpture, is unique and handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. Our beadworks are not only artistic masterpieces but also symbols of hope and empowerment.

Elevating Possibilities

We help people to help themselves

bigger than barbie

International Acclaim

International acclaim has followed. Known as folk art Monkeybiz pieces were snatched up by Sotherbys Contemporary Decorative arts for a sell-out exhibition in 2002. The vibrant dolls, animals and beaded pictures have enthralled shoppers and collectors in Conran Design.
Stores in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. Donna Karan has sold Monkeybiz craft art in her New York store DKNY. You’ll also find these iconic pieces at ABC carpet and Home, a department store that sets trends not only as a New York institution but worldwide.
It was even the subject of a short documentary, BIGGER THAN BARBIE – a tongue-in-cheek title reflecting the ambitious nature of the project.

Community leaders & teachers

Our Artists

Products were simple in design and execution, the potential of the beaders was self-evident. Four People – Mathapelo, Makatiso, Beauty and Phumla – have played and continue to play, a critical role in this upliftment process.
Mathapelo, the projects community coordinator and communications kingpin is a vital link between the Monkeybiz studio and the artists in the townships…

“The women bead at home and can look after their children while getting on with their other duties” says Mathapelo “they have no transport or raw material costs as we bring the beads and cotton to them. Beading lifts their spirits; they share in a sense of achievement. Personally, I too feel happy. I’m from a poor family but at a material level things are much better now. There’s bread on everyone’s table.”
“Monkeybiz has given me a face”
– Mankosi Modise

Our ImPact

Empowerment

Each piece is designed and made by beaders in their own patterns and colours, and although there is a standard range of animal types when each artist makes her own animal every piece becomes unique.
Some of the artists are more experimental and adventurous and therefore new animals and methods join the Monkeybiz range…

No one likes being poor

Our Community

“No one likes to depend on hand-outs, or the charity of others. A project such as Monkeybiz addresses a very deep human need, in that it helps people to help themselves” – Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church of South Africa.

“Our Product is the secret to conquering the market. It’s such an honest product” says Barbara. “Whether it’s a small angel or large animal, it’s a beautiful artwork, lovingly made. We’ve created a market that operates on the principle of “if you like it, you’ve got to buy it, You’re not going to get a second chance, because it’s an authentic, once-off work of art. Even our price tags tell a story. On the reverse of every tag the artists sign their names ”.

– Barbara Jackson

Jordan Smith

Stay Connected with Us

Follow Our Journey

Join Us

When you purchase a Monkeybiz piece, you are not just buying art, you are supporting a movement that transforms lives and communities. Explore our vibrant collections and become a part of our journey to make a difference, one bead at a time.
Thank you for visiting Monkeybiz South Africa, where creativity meets compassion.

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