The Willowvale Arts Center is a creative hub located on the outskirts of the remote town of Willowvale. Established in 2008 by the Department of Sports, Arts and culture, the uniquely designed building is the host site for creatives kuGatyana (Willowvale) and Mbhashe Municipality at large, where many come to learn about and explore innovative methods that can aid them in growing in the local creative economy in the Eastern Cape. The center (W.A.C) functions as an inclusive space for the community to meet at, share and hold (archive) important cultural dialogues/stories/performances as means of engaging with cultural heritage in new, contemporary and dynamic ways for all practitioners/thinkers from the local area.

By placing Imiphindo kwaXhosa in this local creative hub, the podcast was able to tap into the minds and practises of local Makers/Thinkers who tend to be left out of critical reflections on cultural practises. These practioners who are often referred to as 'ooMama noTata bethu' are the threads that hold the deeper lineal meanings of dress, ritual, design and the everyday in tact. By investing in local hubs and the Makers/Thinkers located here, we hope to offer these voices new audiences who will come to recognise and value their critical reflections on culture and the act of 'being' kwaXhosa. Community contributors The James Family Mrs Kutazwa James The community yaku Gatyana Willowvale Arts Center and with special thanks to the Art Center Manager, Lukhanyo Muluse Azola Krweqe Mama Makholi Ms Nobuhle James Mrs Nokhaya Jilingisa Willowvale Makers Co-op Mr Mangaliso Jafta Special thanks to the production team: Executive Producer - Bongani Tau Content Advisor - Sihle Sogaula Graphic Designers - 2DOTS Space Agency UN/FOLDING_RE/FOLDING_FOLDED is nestled under THE FOLD – a creative and collaborative research project led by the African Fashion Research Institute in partnership with Creative Nestlings Foundation for the New Narratives Programme 2023