Project Uplift

We were born into rural communities - it is there where our identities were nurtured. Now, as providence favours our pursuit, we seek to give back to those communities. The focus of our project is to uphold the quality of the Nguni Cattle, an indigenous breed of cattle that form the lifeblood of the amaZulu people. In our drive to improve the quality of their cattle and maintain the purity of the Nguni bloodline, we sponsor the donation of top-quality bulls into rural communities. Further in our chain of support, we buy our ethically sourced hides from these communities. And through the creation of our art, we provide employment. Each piece of art showcases these colourful hides, thereby creating the awareness of this beautiful breed, which in turn underscores our drive to keep their bloodline pure. For this reason, we say, “Each art piece that we create is an ambassador for the beautiful and colourful cattle of Zululand.” The seed of Vukari’s community spirit was sown by its founder, Barry Leitch, who embarked on such projects from the age of 20. Today, at 71 years old, he continues to do so with unwavering momentum.

“You have listened to us and walked in our footsteps... Our stories have also let you understand the creatures of the wild through Zulu eyes.
You have written things down in a place where few people can write. You must be our voice when we are gone. Through you, that which we have been must live again, must thunder afar, and must have fire and life again”

"ELEPHANT TUSK"