How Kioni Turns Beading Into Opportunity for Women in Rural South Africa
StartUp Magazine | 08.10.2026 14:37
How Kioni Turns Beading Into Opportunity for Women in Rural South Africa. Kioni was built around an idea that reaches beyond the finished piece of jewellery. Its purpose is to turn craftsmanship into opportunity by creating training and fair work for women who may not be able to travel to formal jobs. At the centre of that vision is Erika Tempel, who has dedicated more than 25 years to the art of beading and the empowerment it can provide. She founded Kioni with a clear purpose: to create real opportunities for women in South Africa’s rural communities.
