Beading is an age-old African craft used to decorate clothing and objects. Historically beads have been a means of trading. They have symbolic and spiritual importance, giving out messages of age, gender and status of the wearer.

Zulu beaded pins are a traditional sign of affection and remembrance given from one to another and are still used today. The Xhosa women of the Keiskamma Project and other beaders within South Africa have utilised this method of decoration to heighten world awareness of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Other more general jewellery is also being made using many modern and western designs to attract customers.