RA Woodcraft: Exporting local craftsmanship while uplifting local talent
RA Woodcraft: Exporting local craftsmanship while uplifting local talent
In the heart of South Africa’s woodworking industry, RA Woodcraft is setting new benchmarks for excellence, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Founded by Rudolf Zuidema, a SA Skills Gold Medallist and World Skills Finalist in Joinery and Woodmachining, the company blends traditional skill with modern precision to produce high-quality furniture and joinery. Alongside his wife and RA Woodcraft Director, Jana Zuidema, the husband-and-wife team is dedicated to crafting world-class pieces, developing artisans, and expanding South Africa’s presence in global markets.
“At RA Woodcraft, we believe craftsmanship isn’t just about making furniture – it’s about preserving a legacy of skill and sharing it with the world,” says Rudolf.
Local excellence with global aspirations
RA Woodcraft is widely respected among architects, interior designers, and discerning clients for its bespoke joinery, built-in cabinetry, and precision wood machining services. Every piece is crafted from sustainably sourced materials and finished with eco-friendly coatings to ensure durability and ethical production.
With increasing global demand for handcrafted wooden products, RA Woodcraft has taken initial steps into international markets by shipping samples to Australia. Their first Australian client discovered them through a Google search, proving that SA manufacturers can attract global interest. “We’re excited about this opportunity, and once our client officially launches her business, we hope this will become a regular export channel for us,” says Jana.
Passion for skills development
For Rudolf and Jana, success is about more than business growth – it’s about sharing knowledge and creating opportunities. With SA facing a shortage of skilled joiners and wood machinists, they are committed to ensuring that artisan craftsmanship continues to thrive.
Their dedication is evident in RA Woodcraft’s partnership with Sihlalo, a skills development programme focused on empowering women through woodworking. While Sihlalo recently gained accreditation as an official woodwork training centre, its small workshop limited hands-on learning opportunities. By partnering with RA Woodcraft, trainees now have access to a fully operational joinery facility, advanced tools, and real-world production environments.
“It’s about more than just technical skills,” says Rudolf. “We want artisans to understand production management, business operations, and the realities of working in the industry.”
Commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of RA Woodcraft’s philosophy. The company carefully sources its materials and ensures that its finishing and hardware partners, such as OSMO from Germany and BLUM from Austria, are committed to environmental responsibility.
“We believe sustainability is about more than materials – it’s about building furniture that lasts a lifetime, reducing waste, and ensuring our products don’t end up in landfills,” says Jana. The company donates solid wood sawdust to a local mushroom grower and supports Greenpop, a non-profit focused on reforestation.
Industry collaboration and growth
As a member of SAFI, RA Woodcraft has benefited from industry collaboration, gaining insights, connections, and export readiness support. “It’s one thing to create high-quality furniture, but knowing how to navigate global markets is just as important,” says Jana.
RA Woodcraft’s journey proves that SA craftsmanship has a rightful place on the global stage. By mentoring artisans and producing world-class furniture, Rudolf and Jana are building more than furniture – they are building a legacy.
