At 100 years old, Liyah Khumalo still sits outside her homestead in Magololo Village, Bubi District, weaving baskets and mats with the same patient hands that once fed her family and shaped her life’s journey.
Her story is one of resilience, hard work and determination of a woman who turned simple materials into a source of survival and pride.
In an interview with CITE at her home in Nkosikazi Communal Area, Matabeleland North, during her 100th birthday celebrations this weekend Khumalo recalled how she began making baskets and mats in 1946, a skill that would sustain her through decades of hardship.
“I started making baskets and mats to feed my family in 1946, seated outside my home. It was not easy, but I worked with what I had at that time and began to make a living out of it to feed my children,” said the centenarian.
Born in 1925 in an area called koSkhuni, Khumalo was the eldest girl in her family.
Her life changed dramatically after she lost both parents at a young age and raised by relatives, she did not have the chance to attend school.
“I wanted to learn like other children, but life did not allow it. To survive, I began selling milk to afford food and other basic needs,” she said.
In 1945, Khumalo married, marking a new chapter. However when her husband lost his job after the death of his white employer, the couple moved to Inyathi, settling in a place called koSibomvu (paradise).
Their time there was short-lived as the Khumalos were among several Black families who were forcefully evicted by white settlers from the farms.
“We were told to leave with all our belongings. We had nowhere to go, but we had to move,” she recalled.
The family eventually resettled in Magololo Village, where they started over.
Over time, basket and mat weaving became more than just a livelihood, as it became her identity and a symbol of creativity, independence and endurance in her community.
Even today, villagers admire her work, describing it as both practical and deeply cultural.
One of the villagers said Khumalo’s talent remains unmatched.
“Even at her old age, she still weaves mats and baskets that are stronger and more beautiful than those made by younger women,” said a villager.
Another villager, who grew up watching her work, said Khumalo’s hands had fed and educated many in the community.
“Her work fed her children and educated many of them. She is an inspiration to the whole community,” said another villager.
Her eldest son, Njabulo Sibanda, said his mother’s artistry goes beyond craftsmanship but preserves a cultural heritage that is slowly fading.
“My mother is a very talented craftswoman, one of the few who still takes pride in the old ways of making things by hand,” said Sibanda.
“Her work is not just about creating beautiful pieces but about preserving our culture and passing it on to the younger generation. Every item she makes tells a story of patience, dedication and the rich traditions of our village. From time to time, she still makes mats even now.”
Marking a century of life, Khumalo’s story teaches others that indeed dignity and survival can be ‘handmade.’
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