THANDO Ntoyaphi, who hails from Qonce (King William’s Town, moved to Storms River Village in Tsitsikamma seven years ago in search of job opportunities. Two years after moving, in June 2019, he started making walking sticks for extra income, while working part-time as a gardener.
The idea behind Ntoyaphi’s beautifully-designed walking sticks initially started with local village elder, Estelle Hester, asking him to make her a broom.
In the process, he also made a duster, Christmas trees, and then walking sticks, which he began selling at the local monthly village market.
This led to the Village Market’s host, Taste Bistro, buying his sticks for their farmstall section. Soon other local businesses followed suit.
Now, Ntoyaphi’s handcrafted sticks are available at seven outlets in the area, and have become popular with hikers who frequent the many trails in Tsitsikamma.
He does ordinary walking sticks, hiking sticks that can be customised, as well as traditional knobkieries (umsimbithi).
Ntoyaphi gets orders for hiking sticks via his Facebook page, Tsitsikamma Hiking Sticks, and he is especially proud of a recent order from Vancouver in Canada!
Overall, he is proud of his product.
“My sticks don’t break like those discarded aluminium walking sticks I see on the hiking trails,” said Ntoyaphi.
He also serves the environment, as he uses invasive alien trees such as Black Wattle and Bluegum, and residents gladly permit him to clear their land of unwanted species.
Ntoyaphi has expanded his horizons by getting a permit to harvest invasive alien trees on South African National Parks’ (SANParks) land as well.
Stick-making lies close to his heart, as the traditional stick (intonga) forms part of the Xhosa culture. It is integral to the Lobola, Manhood (Ulwaluko) and Stickfighting traditions. Women perform traditional dances with sticks, and carry them when reciting poetry, and churches use cross-symbol sticks in their ceremonies.
“Olive-tree sticks, umnquma, are especially cherished, as their strong energy connects us to the earth and nature,” said Ntoyaphi.
Traditionally, olive hiking sticks were used for defence against wild and dangerous animals; however, in modern times they have become a symbol of prestige, and leaders of various African ethnic groups use them when presiding over special occasions and important functions.
Ntoyaphi loves his business and has a vision for the future.
He registered Tsitsikamma Hiking Sticks as a company with the government agency Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) in July 2023.
Ntoyaphi also dreams of creating employment for the local youth.
“There is a lot of talent in Storms River Village, and I would like to involve them,” said Ntoyaphi.
For more information visit Thando Ntoyaphi’s Facebook page Tsitsikamma Hiking Sticks, or contact him on WhatsApp at 078 041 9470, or email tsitsikammahikingsticks@gmail.com.
