The Story of Elsona

After finishing school, she moved to Cape Town to study at Silwood School of Cookery. During her third year, she was placed in the test kitchen at Sarie magazine; an experience she still describes as one of the best times of her life. What was meant to be a short placement turned into another full year spent doing what she loved.

In 1995, Elsona married Gappie and moved to the farm. It did not take her long to realise that while she may not have been a farmer herself, she was certainly meant to be a farmer’s wife. Her creative spirit, however, could never sit still.

She began painting tablecloths and cushions by hand, turning simple fabrics into colourful works of art. What started as a creative outlet soon grew into a thriving business, with thousands of metres of hand-painted textiles sold both locally and internationally.

But for Elsona, creativity has never had limits.

Wanting to explore something new, she completed a stained-glass lighting course in Cape Town. Once again, her passion became a business. The small factory on the farm grew steadily, and soon she was employing the wives of many of the farm workers. As demand increased, the factory eventually moved into town, where the business expanded to employ 55 men and women.

Over the years, the business continued to evolve, eventually expanding into ceramics; a craft Elsona still works with today.