Updated March 2021
South
Africa is at the very tip of Africa and certainly at the top of every
travellers wish list. Every region has its own traditions; all places in this
world are full of creative people with ideas and dreams. South Africa is packed
to the rafters with creative spirits. Colourful designs and ideas guarantee to
make you feel magnificent and full of life. Every year when I visit, I look for
something to take home with me, something that will put a smile on my face, on
a grey day. I love to buy products that support local small businesses, designers
and communities. I have to say one can’t help it; going on a shopping spree in
South Africa, it is so very hard not to buy anything. See what I found this
time.
Saving a life in your sleep - Goodbye Malaria
There
is a sad truth about malaria. Malaria kills one child in Africa every 60
seconds despite being preventable, treatable and eradicable. Goodbye Malaria
sources and produces products in Africa to help people achieve healthy and
economically stable lives. The team from Goodbye Malaria believe they can solve
one of Africa’s biggest problems with creativity. They raise funds that go
directly to on the ground elimination teams in Mozambique. I bought Pyjama
bottoms in shweshwe design, they come in a pretty cotton bag, and with that I can save a life in my
sleep. The initiative also sell hats, slippers, shirts, bracelets, cosmetic
bags, t-shirts, dolls and soft toys, jump onto Goodbye Malaria's website to buy one of the
cute items on offer.
I
bought the Pyjama bottoms at the souvenir store at departure at Cape Town Airport. ZAR
450.
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| Pyjama pants from Goodbye Malaria |
Beaded Wildebeest from Streetwires
Streetwires’
motto “People. Passion. Pride” mirrors that they want to empower individuals
through dignified meaningful work. This is the place to get custom made
designed bead artwork created by 60 permanently employed artists that work full
time at the studio in Cape Town. I visited their studio a couple of times so
far and I have to say never in my life have I seen a place where people had so
much fun at work. You should visit their studio too, and also have a look
around the store or order online, start with browsing Streetwires' website. I bought a
few beaded animals over the years, it is an ever growing gang and this time I
took home a wildebeest. It lives now together with a springbok, a giraffe, a
canary bird and a meerkat.
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| Beaded Wildebeest from Streetwires in Cape Town |
Cushions from heART AT WORK®
While
I was at a little farm stall in Montagu I fell in love with super cute cushions
I saw at their store. One of the lovely shop assistants had decorated the wall
of their cafe with them. I sadly couldn’t take a photo of the display, since
there was a sign that asked not to take photos. She has done such a great job, her
display made me buy all seven of them. The cushion covers travelled to Europe
with me, and guarantee I think of South Africa every day (as if I wouldn’t do
it anyway).
heART
AT WORK®, a not-for-profit initiative will passionately strive to ensure that
economically marginalised mothers from previously disadvantaged communities
within the Helderberg Basin, become the custodian
of skills, empowering them to earn a sustainable income. This will enable them
to provide for the basic and educational needs of their children, while being a
present parent and effective role model. heART AT WORK™ will provide craft
training, micro-business management skills and foster economic opportunities in
order to create a platform for a sustainable income, improving the quality of
life for both mother and child. 100% of the profit goes back to the
person/s who made the product and the project itself in order to extend heArt
At Work’s reach to poverty stricken people in the township. Jump onto heART AT WORKS website to check out their beautifully crafted designs.
I bought all cushions at Rambling Rose, 36 Long Street, Montagu, Western Cape, South Africa. Hours: 8am to 5pm, closed Tuesday.
Shika Afrika – because Africa is style
From
Congo to Burundi, to Tanzania, to Mozambique, to South Africa with burning
passion for African style. Shika-Afrika because Africa is style. As soon as I
enter the store on St Georges Street in Simon’s Town I know I would need to
enrich my wardrobe with one of these cute dresses. On Instagram Shika Afrika
post statements like Compliment people. Magnify their strengths, not their
weaknesses. I speak to lovely Chanceline Ngoie Thsomba who lived in this area
ever since she moved here with her parents as a nine year old girl. When she
tells me she just opened her store recently and it is all quite new to her, it
surprises me, as the store looks pretty perfect. I tell her how in love I’m
with all these fabrics and her store. The shop in Simon's Town closed. Visit Shika Afrika on Instagram and while you are there visit THE TOURISTIN too.
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| Dress from Shika Afrika - because Africa is style |
Home is where the heart is from dishy designs
Unique
textiles for your kitchen and home. I love to travel but I also spend
a lot of time in my kitchen, cooking, baking cakes, making jam and yes, doing
the dishes … so why not cheer up my life with cute tea towels?
I
bought the tea towels from dishy designs for ZAR 99 at the picture perfect and fun Oude Libertas Slow Market in Stellenbosch.
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| Tea Towel from Dishy Designs Cape Town |
Visiting South Africa is so very inspiring, and I can't wait for my next trip to the tip of Africa, it will for ever be on the top of my travel whishlist.
From
Berlin with love