For Jhalakathi's Patigar community, weaving soft and cool shitalpati mats from stalks of the murta, a reed-like plant locally called paitara, is far more than a job: it's an ancient heritage.

I studied fine art at the Durban University of Technology and recently received my Postgraduate qualification. I have been practising as an artist and curator since my first year of studies at DUT. I ...