The Accidental Woodworker

WORDS Jo Buitendach PHOTOS Supplied

Suzi McAfee of Monarch Woodworx proves it’s never too late to follow your passion, create beautiful things and uplift others while doing it.

Irish-born 42-year-old Suzi McAfee only started creating bespoke wood pieces just before lockdown. She obviously had a knack for it, though, and she soon improved her skills by using Instagram to post whatever she was making and reaching out to other woodworkers for advice. Learning through trial and error, the George-based maker started buying second-hand furniture, dismantling it, and putting it back together with her own flavour. She also took a short woodworking course, which helped her elevate her skills even further.

Eventually ditching her graphic design job, Suzi found a suitable workshop space, and has been designing and making statement furniture since under the banner of Monarch Woodworx. She describes her work as an aesthetic hybrid blend that she’s named “Scafro”. “It’s a combination of Scandinavian, African and retro influences,” she says. “I love the clean simplicity of Scandinavian design, African vibrancy and pattern, and the nostalgic shapes of Mid-century Modern and retro furniture.”

So far, the piece she is most proud of is a media unit that she conjured for interior designer Lynne De Jonge. The brief was simple: to hide ugly wiring inside a piece of furniture, and to be brave with the shape and colours. “I built a sideboard-style unit from solid ash, with brazen neon-pink legs, scaled cut-outs, and lime-green and sand-coloured inlays,” Suzi says. “It has become a talking point in Lynne’s lounge, and the subject of heated debates. I enjoyed the creative freedom involved in this build.”

It’s important to Suzi that she’s a “lady designer and maker” in a largely male-dominated industry. She has even hosted a few open workshops for women to encourage them not to be afraid of power tools, and to give them the skills and confidence to start creating things themselves. “I really love facilitating these workshops and inspiring others,” she says. “You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try. I got my first power tool at the age of 37, so anything is possible!”

Suzi has big plans to venture into the international market and export her pieces worldwide. “My dream is for Monarch Woodworx to showcase South African craftsmanship that’s intertwined with a narrative of empowerment and upliftment.” She plans to do this by merging her two passions, and helping underprivileged youth in George through her woodworking business. Suzi and her husband have started an NPO to uplift youth from disadvantaged communities, which has evolved into a small high school. “I’d love to provide opportunities to young apprentices, and see what they create,” she says. | monarchwoodworx.com

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