The New Basket Workshop is a section 21, not-for-profit, company the aim of which is to provide design and product assistance to basket producers in southern Africa. Through its activities The New Basket Workshop seeks to improve the livelihoods of basket makers by linking them to markets.

The New Basket Workshop has collaborated with South African designers and high-end retailers to develop traditional techniques and products into amazing contemporary pieces. At the same time it works to preserve and revive techniques, products and skills of rural weavers, the most talented of whom are often found in some of the world’s most impoverished areas.

Following a very successful initial show in Bulawayo, in September 2010 the Alliance Française again hosted The New Basket Workshop’s BASKET CASE exhibition but this time at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare.

Work from the Binga Craft Centre, Bulawayo Home Industries, Lupane Women’s Centre and the Zienzele Foundation was exhibited through three of the NGZ’s galleries in a breathtaking show curated by Heath Nash.

It has been nearly thirty years since the NGZ in Harare has shown a craft-based show. The response was huge.

TNBW used the event to illustrate how design can improve the lives of rural basket workers

"It was my pleasure to support "The Basket Case" and I hope you have the motivation to do another one. It has done such a lot to lift the profile of craft in Zim." - Jane Parsons, Craft Activist, Harare, Zimbabwe