Bion Ndiridza

Bion is from Zimbabwe and works and sells his beaded craft in Hilton, KwaZulu Natal.  He has a wife and 3 children aged 16, 12 and 4 months who still live in Harare, Zimbabwe.  He sends the money he makes from his sales back to his family to sustain them there.  His one wish is to bring his family to South Africa so they can be together.

Bion learned to bead at the age of 25 when he was living in Harare with a community of people who beaded.  In 2017 he decided to move to South Africa after he had a stand at the Hilton Arts Festival and decided that Hilton would be a good place to work and sell from.  He says he loves making birds and does a variety of them including African Hoopoe, Weavers and Sunbirds. His Protea flowers have become very popular too, but take a lot of time to make; he can make 3 birds in the time it takes him to make one Protea.

Bion doesn’t use a pattern, he make up the designs in his head and he can simply look at a picture of something and work out a pattern for it to bead right there and then.  If you ever visit Hilton, you will find Bion making and selling his beaded creations outside Vans Diner. He is surrounded by a bounty of brightly coloured and intricately made birds, animals and flowers – a beaded Garden of Eden.

Bio Ndiridza crafts are also available at The Ellenbird in Hilton 2 Quarry Road, Hilton, 3245

The Ellenbird offers a gift shop, family bistro, kids play area, party venue, as well as a beauty, health & therapy centre.