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About Izibead

Educational author and illustrator Gill Steyn,
is the inspiration behind the development of
IZIBEAD teacher kits.

 
She presently conducts ‘teacher upliftment’ lectures in the Kwazulu Natal region on a freelance basis. Involvement in this activity revealed to her the dire need that exists to rekindle traditional arts and crafts. This need was patently obvious in the school environment. Her research uncovered the reality that very little has been recorded about traditional beadwork methodology because custom has always dictated that the craft skill be passed on from mother to daughter. In order to teach beadwork, she had first to be taught the craft of beading herself. The author had to figuratively become the daughter of a traditional crafter. To achieve this required that she find and bond with traditional beaders. This took her to the most remote rural areas including the very heart of the ‘Valley of a Thousand Hills’.
She spent a huge amount of time building relationships and gaining the confidences of the crafters and eventually got taught the skills and methods that were normally reserved for a family member. Learning the craft firsthand from the beaders in this manner has equipped her to effectively teach and revive a dying craft. As lecturer, Gill’s exposure to teachers and learners has enabled her to fine-tune and test the Teacher Kits at the various levels in schools. Her determination to create in the classroom, an awareness and understanding of our various cultural heritages to counteract the all too evident Eurocentric groundswell, can now be achieved in a most satisfying manner.
Gill first developed the IZIBEAD (beadwork made easy) commercial range as an upliftment project which packs
and markets bead kits to the commercial sector. The product is extensively sold by retail outlets throughout South Africa and is of particular attraction to our tourist industry.

This project effectively provides sustainable income for the Zulu women who pack and assemble the product. They now pack the Teacher Kits as well.

Each grade level of the teacher’s handbook has a story which introduces the lesson to the learners. The stories generally reflect real life South African scenarios which bring to the fore customs and heritages of the various groups in our country. The author has endeavoured to reflect important cultural components and differences. The desired result of cross cultural discussion is almost certainly achieved and is of major benefit to the learners.

There are clear instructions for the teacher to use when teaching the beadwork lesson. Everything the learners need to complete the beaded item is packed in individual packs and no further materials are required.

All IZIBEAD lessons follow the Outcome Based Education format and therefore can be used as part of the Arts and Culture curriculum. The authors lifelong resolve of wanting good education and upliftment to become available to all of South Africa’s children is evident in her ongoing involvement at rural schools throughout Kwazulu Natal. It was just a matter of time before her love of cultural beadwork culminated in the Teacher Kit series.

At IZIBEAD we believe that cultural exchange in the learning environment is of vital importance. The IZIBEAD Teacher Kits expose the learners to this exchange in a most enjoyable and natural way.