Welcome Café Tswenyane is a ‘must stop’ for travellers using the Abel Erasmus Pass – especially visitors on their way to the Kruger National Park. Surrounded by the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains and set in a beautiful Permaculture garden, the relaxing atmosphere of this rural village is an ideal place to experience the changing landscape from City to Rural environment. Place to stretch legs, revive and enjoy a pot of fresh coffee on the deep shadowed veranda while watching life of timeless rural Africa go by.
The Afrikania Gallery and Coffee was established at Welcome Café and is an initiative to promote rural crafters of Limpopo. On exhibition is its Limpopo Craft Cluster Collection – a unique selection of beautiful art and craft – consisting of homeware, décor and sculptures from the region. The focus is access to markets by promoting deserving artists and crafters from rural villages situated in far off places, not easily found or reachable by the average tourist to our region. A limited number of popular items are included from neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Afrikania started as a job creation project in 1998 It was included on a South African postage stamp in 2003 to commemorate ten years of diplomatic relations with India. Since then it sold out in Japan, Milan, Scotland and for three years in a row at Decorex Johannesburg. From inception Afrikania is motivated by Heritage Preservation – starting with architecture and followed by ceramics, it is now also involved in textiles and furniture and along the lines of Social Entrepreneurship also actively supporting economic development in rural. areas.
Also see Afrikania Pottery
Welcome Café Tswenyane offers visitors a safe, clean, quality venue in which to relax and enjoy an exceptional African setting with typical African hospitality.
Tswenyane is without a doubt the most spectacular entry point to the famous Lowveld of Limpopo – Land of Myth and Legend and an essential stop for tourists.
Tswenyane offers:
- An inviting oasis situated on a small plateau at the edge of the escarpment;
- A magical patch of earth, surrounded by the majestic Drakensberg Mountains;
- A real life experience of the peace and tranquillity of life in a typical rural village;
- An ideal resting spot on your journey through the Abel Erasmus Pass;
- A beautiful setting in an organic Permaculture garden;
- A cool mountain breeze through deep shadowed verandas;
- A relaxing atmosphere to relax with a good pot of coffee;
- Information about the area;
- A select collection of the regions top arts and crafts – a feast for the eye;
- Tswenyane is also home to the rare Taita Falcon – important specie to serious bird-watchers;
- The famous Strijdom Tunnel Craft market;
- Artefacts from Zimbabwe; and
- All year fountains with spectacular natural ponds, waterfalls and vegetation.
Afrikania Gallery and Coffee:
A unique selection of beautiful art and craft – consisting of homeware, décor and sculptures from the region are offered, focused on promoting the work of artists and crafters from rural villages in Limpopo Province and neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This is part of its commitment to promote rural artists.
On exhibition and for sale are:
- Award winning ceramics by Afrikania Pottery, African Pottery Network members, Maphuve, Rebecca Matibe and Mukondeni Potters;
- Exceptional wood and stone carvings by famous and well known sculptors including Thomas Kubayi, David Murati, Justice Mugwene, Gibson Kakarutse and Aron Kapembeza;
- Handmade homeware:
- Twananani textiles;
- Venda crafts including Madi a Thavha Designs – bags, table and homeware, Tambani embroidery and beadwork from Mtititi; and
- Jewellery and recycled glass art and much more.
